Q: What do I start with?

A: Your character, according to their start location and chosen character attributes will start with a modest amount of currency, identification (a brooch or bulla), some rags and a dagger. After deciding whether you want to play a Barbarian or Roman, you enter the world as a class known as "Attending". The Attending class will help get you into the game partly by providing you with your own NPC master or elder who will assign you your first tasks/quests.

It looks like we all may have to spend a bit of time getting into the game, doing quests...

Yes and no. You could do that or you could kill/run away from your master. And if your a barbarian you don't start off as a slave like the romans do.

NPC's masters are assigned to beginners of Romans (slaves) and Barbarians.

eh I think I'll keep mine around, if his quests benfit me, what the hell? if not, i wont do em.

If it gives me cash then sure why not.