1: Try both out until level 19, then see how much you enjoy traveling really easily. They both get SoW but druids get invisibility spells (several) and ports. Several druid races come with hide and forage (and sneak, if you're willing to look super dumb as a halfling). Shamans get the ability to make potions, though.
2: Shaman gets to constantly cast cannibalize for more mana, plus SoW and cleric-like buffs along with some really vicious DoTs. You'll be up and down a lot. Shamans also get to summon pets, although you don't see those often in groups. Druids have to charm to get pets, but they come with SoW, snare, damage shields, good buffs, junk buffs, and regen spells later on. Shamans in groups tend to canni-dance and then debuff with slows and give out DoTs. Druids can DoT and nuke as well as snare or root for CC. Both classes heal, shamans get their regen line earlier than druids.
3: Oasis, GFay, EC, and WC are all pretty noisy. GFay has the friendliest crowd most of the time. Everyone in EC is auctioning something. WC is where the druids and wizards port in. Right now all the high levels are in Velious so it's more noob-heavy in the starting zones. Usually if you have something funny to say or ask questions, at least one person will answer you no matter what zone you're in.
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