Hello

[Niwashi]

I guess the new expansion was for end game players and content and didn't add anything for the lower level players such as areas, quests or items?

The only addition that Heavensward adds for low-level players is a new race to choose from. In addition to choosing between Hyur, Elezen, Miqo'te, Lalafell, and Roegadyn, players with the Heavensward expansion can choose Au Ra as their character's race.

All other expansion content (new regions, quests, jobs, etc.) is only available after reaching level 50 and completing the entire main storyline from the original A Realm Reborn game and its subsequent patches.

Not being able to chat in global channels is an RMT (real money trading) countermeasure, I am unsure atm when or how this restriction lifts, probably by completing the trial and suscribing to the game.

It unlocks once you purchase and register the game. (Adding subscription time usually comes 30 days later, since purchase of the game grants 30 days of access to it.)

You may want to look out for shouts in your area for FC (free company aka guild) recruitments, to meet more players and make friends.

That will also have to wait until after purchasing the game. Another of the Free Trial's limitations is that Free Trial members cannot join FCs.

I see that the armour I have worn and leveled with has a spirit bond of 100%, i'm guessing with the quest above you've described the materia will come from that and the spirit bond of items which has 100%

Yes, once you've done the level 19 quest Forging the Spirit, you can turn used gear into materia, provided that the gear has a 100% spiritbond. (There are a few special items, however, that cannot be converted.) That part of the process can be done by any class/job.

The second part of the process, melding materia onto new items to increase their stats, can only be done by crafting classes, and specifically by the crafting class that makes that particular type of gear. This is unlocked by the quest Waking the Spirit. If, however, you're not pursuing crafting yourself, or don't have the relevant class leveled to the necessary level when you want something melded, you can request another player of the appropriate class to meld it for you. (This can be done without actually passing the item or materia to them, so it's safe to ask strangers without fear of their taking off with your items.)

[Legion84]

thank you for a more indepth explanation, this item once 100% spiritbond, does it turn into materia and I lose that item as armour? or does it give materia and I get to use it as armour still?

[Niwashi]

this item once 100% spiritbond, does it turn into materia and I lose that item as armour? or does it give materia and I get to use it as armour still?

When you convert a piece of gear into materia, the gear is used up and lost in the process, leaving you with just the materia. So it's for pieces you're finished with and have replaced as gear.