Hello everyone. My name is Alice and I am new to FFXIV, just bought the game 4 days ago. (So noob! Much wow!) I was looking around and didn't see this question anywhere so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. (Or I missed it somewhere & I apologize if I did!)

I was looking at the free companies that are "open" for recruiting on Lodestone to see what was out there and maybe make some friends (I'm so shy >_<). I didn't see a way to join any of them. I tried the FC option in the Main Menu and that didn't work so I'm guessing that's for seeing FC info once you join one, yes? So how would I go about joining one?

Also... how do people make friends? o-o I didn't see a thread or anything for it around here and people are AFK/dead silent in town.

Last question, what are linkshells? Are they like the step between a party and a free company?

Sorry for all the strange questions but there is only so much that the various wikis will tell me, you know? Thank you in advance for answering.