>I also can't stress enough playing a friendly role tends to
>make life easier for new people. Making friends gets you
>people who will often help you in lots of ways, ranking,
>rping, directions to shrines, pointing out good places to go,
>etc. You can play the sphere anger attempted bad ass as your
>first character if you like, but don't be surprised when no
>one wants to talk to you an you don't learn much about the
>game. You will learn many, many times more by making friends
>in game.

For this reason I think it's also good to try to be caballed with your first character, even though that might get you killed more often. It can give you access to people (especially if you're not gunning for an evil cabal) that are more likely to help you out and teach you things.