Other characters will show you all kinds of things to help you. I've been playing for over two decades, but took about 5+ years off one time. I felt rather clueless when I returned. Sought out someone who clearly knew what they were doing (in this case a necro) and basically gave him 200 gold to let me carry his luggage while following him around for a good portion of my chars life and learning a lot of what he knew.

The forum is no substitute for IC help.