Bought the game yesterday

[Relic]

If the grayed out quest has a red x next to it hen it's a failed quest...if not, I forget what it means. The gathering stat is for disciple of the land classes and increases your ability to find higher level items. Its similar to craftsmanship and magic craftsmanship for disciples of the hand, which increases success for synthesis.

[bird]

Last question: If a shirt says "Gathering+5" on it, what does that actually improve?

Here is the answer directly from the devs:

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...f9ba09e2ee16f5

If you're interested in the gathering classes, I suggest you bookmark disciplesoftheland.com. It is a very comprehensive database on everything DoL related.

[syntaxlies]

buy some mining equipment and mine til your eyes bleed.

[Holy_Dragoon]

If your guildleves are greyed out, you might be at the wrong Aetherite camp. Doublecheck the journal where the start location is.