Never use Cernd in his human form for melee. Like Memnoch ss\aid - cast spells before.
And only if your main character is druid (in such case you wouldnt use Cernd for challenge) its level is important. Druids Grove can be your Stronghold if you are a druid. If not you dont care about Cernd/Jaheira level.
Btw. I start with quests in city, Umar Hills and d'Arnise Hold. When I go to Trademeet I have usually about 1500000exp so no druid is a problem for me
