Have given an over-view of starting DAoC under Coming to DAoC tonite thread.
If you choose a role-playing server, you are expected to limit chat to game discussion and it is preferred if you play your character as though you were playing a game of pretend in your youth.
When you start a character, you will have a choice of start-up cities. Choose Aegir's Landing for Midgard character, Grove of Domann for Hibernian character, or Gothwaite Harbor for Albion character. You will begin in front of a non-specialized trainer. Do NOT use any of your training points you earn with each level with this trainer. Save them for when you specialize at level 5. However, do return to this trainer each time you level for quests that put coin in your pocket. This is important for traveling.
Check DAoC Catacombs Character Builder 2.0. This will allow you to plan ahead how to spec your character. You can continue to level quickly even on your own by taking tasks from the taskmasters for the new instanced dungeons. (They are all in the Old World). If you join a guild, you will have access to all kinds of advice.