Is the bards tale (1) really hard or am not good?

I’ve recapped an Apple 2e and started playing what was one of my first games, the bards tale.

I distinctly recall I beat the game, but I can hardly get 1/2 through the first floor of the first dungeon.

I started grinding near a temple where I can heal my party but the rng encounters make a very hard battle every 4-5 battles that wipe party members.

Reviving a party member cost 900 gold a level so if I do get them leveled up to 2 or 3 it’s too expensive to get a raise.

Anyone else remember this game?