Thanks for leaving an RMS review, TideRider! Glad you think so highly of our community! We're indeed trying to keep with the times and modernizing old custom and official quests to require less intensive grinding.
Would like to clarify though, that although HeRO is a low rate server, we have items such as exp manuals obtainable from events (Wordzzle, GM events), which increase exp obtained. Rates also increase during main holidays such as the server anniversary and Christmas, and Monster of The Moments also serve to alleviate leveling pains. Many new gear have greatly increased rates compared to official, and monsters have customized loot tables as well.