Get your bearings
After joining and loading the pack, take a look around the castle and meet the service NPCs. /hearth opens the main menu, /quests opens the shared quest journal, and /warps shows your travel options. Locked destinations explain the progression you still need.
Some story quests and locations are being prepared during alpha. Use the available journal entries and announcements to see what is ready, rather than assuming every NPC has a playable quest.
Pick a small first goal
Gather resources in survival, train a gathering skill, look through the creature field guide, or plan a village with a friend. Combat, crafting, and exploration connect to equipment progression, so the materials you collect can support a later adventure.
/wild takes you toward wilderness play. If you want a place of your own, read the village guide before choosing land.
Learn the two kinds of progress
Skill levels reflect the activities you practise. Respect is a separate measure of your standing in Hearthvale, with ranks including Known neighbor, Trusted neighbor, and Village pillar. Certain services check respect as well as skill requirements.
Coins pay for services and purchases. In Survival or Adventure mode, death normally removes 15% of wallet coins, rounded down. Completing A Watch Renewed reduces that loss to 10%; quest availability still depends on its current setup.
Prepare before heading out
Bring suitable food and usable equipment. Check requirements before spending coins on a new weapon, and visit Doran when gear needs repair or an upgrade. Use the item and mob guides to learn what a creature drops before deciding where to train.