Try out this guide for figuring out what class you wanna play:
http://wiki.project1999.com/Loraen%2...election_Guide
Read up here for some tips on starting stuff:
http://wiki.project1999.com/Dumbledo...nner%27s_Guide
To quickly answer:
2) Lowbie groups seem to be fairly steady in Gfay/Ec/Crushbone/Unrest (dunno bout oasis).
3) Yes.
4) Items stay on your corpse when you die. No defiant armor giving you huge stats at low levels. No 2 boxing. No mercenaries. No shared banks.