Things new players need to know

This game is VERY long and complex. Expect to do some reading/research often here and at : Now onto things you need to know:
 * http://uwodbmirror.ivyro.net/eg/main.php (very handy for a lot of info)
 * http://unchartedwaters.olous.com/ (a little outdated...but easier to see where to find skills and cities...good for a while)

Go through school in ALL beginner classes, not only the class you started as. This is an easy way to gain xp+fame (you need xp and fame for all classes...not just the one you want to be). Not only that, but you also gain a guild card for each class.

Why are guild cards important?

Guild cards allow you to change jobs. Jobs are important for a few reasons: So how do I use a guild card?
 * 1) you can acquire a lot of skills easily instead of having to travel to find them. Every job has a different list of favored skills. Once in that job, you can buy those skills at the GM of the class...where you are...or any other GM of the class. Favored skills rank up 2x faster than non-favored skills, and have a max rank limit of 15 instead of 10.
 * 2) xp and fame are doubled for your character for the class which the job is under. So it's best to switch to a job based on what class activity you are doing, and what skills you want to help rank faster while doing so. (example: you are working on an adventure quest...be in an adventurer job)
 * 3) you can switch back to a job you have previously collected with a guild card at any time just by paying ducats. So ALWAYS choose a different job every time you use a guild card. Note the skills on the list of each job.

Go to the guild of the class you have a card for and speak to the GM. Click on the "change job" button. you should see a list of jobs. Again...select the jobs by skills you want to obtain first...which brings me to another list:

MUST-HAVE SKILLS:  Not exactly must-have, but arguably so: So you followed all I've stated so far and are done with beginner school...
 * 1) Sail Handling (Adventure) - instant auto-sail to gain top speed asap
 * 2) Surveying (Adventure) - gain a map of the area you are sailing in with coordinates...don't wanna get lost at sea now do we?
 * 3) Accounts (Merchant) - allows you see the current market rates, and haggle
 * 4) Caution (Merchant) - allows you to sail without interruption of surprise attacks (after r3 it's extremely effective). Even if you are mainly going maritime class, there will times you will want this for long distance travels. NOTE: pirate ships that are in range (you can see "ship A" etc.) can still attack...so avoid them.
 * 5) Repair (Maritime) - allows you to repair quickly
 * 1) Fishing (Adventurer) - can fish as you sail. Fish can be converted to food as needed, so on longer distances you can stock more water with very little food. Just be sure to leave a little of your cargo space for catching fish.
 * 2) Storage (Merchant...but favored on some Adventurer jobs as well) - at higher ranks this can save the loss of items from a pirate attack, and lowers the durability loss on items as you sail. This goes well with fishing, because you can convert fish into fish product using the recipe book "Fishermen Arts - Preservation Methods".
 * 3) Body Language (Merchant/John Dee estate in London with min lvls of 8/10/0 + English language/translation notes) - allows you to communicate with NPCs with a language you don't have. This allows you to ditch most languages for a lot more open skill slots. You will need to carry vigour food, because it does no good when you can't even as the barkeep for a drink (failed to communicate...takes 20 vigour per try). Also noteworthy, translation notes will be needed to read books at the archives, or to trade/join a fleet with another player if neither player has the language of the other. Translation notes can be picked up at an interpreter (ever town with an archives has one...usually by the square or market).
 * 4) running out of time and need to put in some other info...to be continued

Go on to intermediate school next, and finish it in at LEAST one class. This will open up a lot of ports for you to visit once completed. Also, like beginner, you gain a lot of xp+fame+guild cards. Here you will need to switch jobs before handing in a quest based on what you were doing. No matter what class you enter, it mixes them all together. Hopefully by the end of intermediate