New Player?

[debo]

High evasion usually feels safer, but high protection has the advantage of using much less XP (usually.)

[arandomperson12]

Is there some sort of list of what the various itemtypes do/ what types of potions/ herbs/ rings/ staves exist?

[Infinitum]

You can browse consumables in your ingame menu (this also lets you keep track of what you've already identified). Weapons/Armor can be checked out in the mock smithing interface (press 0 ingame to bring it up).