Setting up a noob leveling party

[esdo]

Hey guys.

I want to play everquest with my friends ( 4 ppl total ) and was looking for some help ( as I have absolutely no experience in EverQuest ) :

1 - How hard it is for different races to group up? I mean, each race has it's own starting area right?

2 - What races - deities should we pick? Based on where the party would level. Not quite sure on how faction system works.

3 - What classes should we pick? For the best leveling party, i imagine that it's something like 2 dmg 1 tank 1 healer.

4 - Where should we meet to level at first? Im sure it's easy finding other leveling zones after the first one, but I really have no idea on where to start.

I've read some guides but these seems like the type of knowledge only attainable from gameplay experience.

Thanks!