Find your old character and start a new seed. At least then your character will have some strength and drag your old armor over to the new seed, otherwise just play the game and you get there when you get there. Rushing is for kids, not Vikings. Vikings build up their strength, abilities, and arrive at the Mistlands and still get their unworthy asses handed to them. Rushers, well, RIP over and over, even after the recent rebalancing. But give it a go and report back.
FYI - Mistlands gated behind beating Yagluth.