If you're a quick learner, you can get relatively comfortable with your ability to pk or at least run away, within a couple months I would say. You won't be a 'pro' but one thing that speeds the process along is taking advantage of the rest of the gamers willing to RP with you.

Carrion Fields RP is superior to Hollywood's RP.

A defenseless dwarf dies in the forest to an Imperial, his next move should be to seek out his kinsmen and other friendlies, either in the Fortress or Village and ask them to teach him to fight. Most of them probably would. But instead, new players tend to isolate themselves and try to master the game on their own like they were able to do with every other game.

Sorry, this is Carrion Fields.

The Eastern Road demands your blood.