Ok - that did the trick.
Here is what I think happened in case anyone runs across this.
Followed this guide initially:
http://www.eqemulator.net/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=ValesEQ
This helped me get a lot of the pieces in place and then I used this guide to complile the exe's:
http://www.eqemulator.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35722
In the first guide it advises you to get an updated version of some of the files. In step 7 it suggests getting an updated version of: EQEmuAuthCrypto.dll
That file is the only file of the 4 you recommended copying that had a different time stamp from the rest and is likely what resolved my problem.
Thanks Uleat for helping out with the final piece.
Thanks Noport for helping me get most of the configurations ironed out.
I definitely appreciate the support in getting it setup. Hopefully the rest goes well, but I can login and create a character now
.