Aye I'm new... (to this MMO.)

[Niwashi]

So basically, I go about beating stuff up on my GLA for another level before I see new stuff to access, and that I need a grand company for about anything else at all.

I 'am' after a good 'guild', or whatever the exact equivalency is here, and am somewhat picky after enough MMOs worth of guilds, fleets and such, nevermind one that is for 'this' game, and not others for the 'fun' of it, and all distracting such I don't need for myself. The question there then is where to go to choose properly, and is it all cross server, or only those on the one I am on.

The "guild" equivalent here is a Free Company (not to be confused with Grand Company, which is the military arm of one of the three main city/states of the game). You can join a Free Company any time you want (though you have to be at least level 25 to form a new one). There are also Linkshells, which are essentially private chat channels players can set up for talking with friends or those who share a common interest. You can only be in one Free Company, but can be in up to eight linkshells.

You'll join a Grand Company during one of the level 20 Main Scenario Quests. You'll need to reach that point before you can get a chocobo mount. After that, it's essentially another way of getting gear or certain items. You'll get a new type of currency, Grand Company seals, to buy stuff with.

[Naria]

The Main Scenario and the other quests should provide you with more than enough exp to get to 15. When I leveled up my alt character he was around 17 when he got an airship pass, even though the quest is 15. If you are having to grind out mobs, then you might have missed a quest some where. What is the last Main Scenario quest you completed in your journal?

[Imladris]

Actually don't worry about that, at 15 now, and still seeing below level quests there, atm.

[ExiledOne]

Actually don't worry about that, at 15 now, and still seeing below level quests there, atm.

You may already be aware of this but the Main Story Quests have a flame around the "!" icon. Make sure you're following those, they should be enough for your main class to progress and have armor.