Ahhh, the Novice Class. When you do create your character in one of the slots,
you should consider what final class you should be. That way, you can adjust
your starting stats accordingly. Read up on each of the final class sections
to determine what one suits you best. Though I highly recommend you do not
pick an Archer or Merchant as your first class. After you've picked a name,
hair color, and skill points, it's time to dive in.

You'll start in the Novice training ground. Cross the bridge to your right
and you will come upon a castle. Inside is the Novice Training Ground.
Follow the instructions from the NPCs inside. Nothing in here is very
complicated, so I won't bother with a walkthru. One of the NPCs will ask you
some trivia questions though, it'd be a good idea to answer all of those - Not
just for the knowledge you gain about RO, but to also pick up some extra items
you can sell. After completing the training grounds, you should have 100 zeny,
or 200 zeny if the final few NPCs guessed your class correctly. If they did,
simply go to the town they recommend. If they guessed incorrectly, choose
from one of the following towns, based on what class you would like to become:

Alberta - Merchant
Geffen - Mage
Izlude - Swordsman
Morroc - Thief
Payon - Archer
Prontera - Acolyte

Then by some freaky magic, you'll be whisked away to the town you chose.

You can wander around town if you'd like, but I'm sure you want to start
fighting. So for now, exit town. Fighting enemies is very simple, you just
left-click on them until they die. An easier way though, is CTRL+Click. This
will auto-attack the enemy until he dies. Then, pick up what he drops. Start
with the pink blobs, Porings. If your in the desert, fight the tan blobs,
Drops. After fighting 2 of those, you level up. Click on the arrow that
appears in the corner and assign stats depending on what your job will be.
You will also soon get a job level, designated by an arrow in the other corner.
Novices only have 1 skill, so guess where your points go? ^_^ Anyway, you want
to keep fighting monsters and picking up what they drop. After Porings, move
on to Fabres or Pickys. After them, ChonChons or Lunatics.

Finally, Willows if they are in your area. When you have collected quite a bit of loot, go back into town and sell it at a shop. Most players will point Novices in
the direction of the shop, but please ask nicely. Your first piece of equipment
should be a Guard, unless your going to become an Archer. After a Guard, it
would be wise to buy a Cutter, unless your going to become an Archer. After
those two, buy a Leather Jacket. Finally, some cheap headgear. That would be
a Bireta or Bandana. If you still have money before changing class, buy
Sandals. Archers should avoid all this extra armor, and save all of their
money to buy a better bow after they change jobs.

After a seemingly endless period of hack and slash, you will have reached job
level 10, and have 9 points in your basic skill. Its time to head for the
appropriate town to change class. Read up on each class individually for
more information. Congratulations - you are no longer a newbie.