New to the server/game

[FearlessTeapot]

Hi all. I haven't played EQ in many years, and decided to try out the official servers since it is now Free to Play. While I started getting sucked in again, I realized that all of the expansions seemed to have muddled the game. I want the original game again, and this server appears to deliver.
I should be in game soon, and had a few questions.

How is levelling? Is it impossible to find groups? If I'll need to solo my way through much of the game, I'll have to pick a class appropriately.

Were any concessions made to ease of use, or is it a flat out copy/paste of the game Kunark era? IE: XP race/hybrid penalties, mana regen/spellbook staring contests, etc.

Any roleplay at all? How is the community in general, pretty active in chat?

Thanks for your time.