1. The ranged tree is not a very good skill to start with. It requires a lot of digging and crafting to use.
2. There is only one type of animal you can buy, Mektoubs. (Elephant-like things). There are Mektoub Packers(which hold a lot of stuff) and Mektoub Mounts(which don't hold much stuff but you can ride). You can have 3 packers and 1 Mount. Packers come in different speeds and HPs.
3. You can buy an apartment, but it is only for holding items. You can't decorate it.
4. Guilds can buy Guild Halls, which are also for holding items, but hold more than apartments.
5. Most PvP these days is Alliance vs. Alliance. Guilds fight over "outposts"(which produce helpful items), and their Alliances(usually based on faction, but faction doesn't decide who you can help in a battle). There is also flagged PvP, which is Faction vs Faction.
6. Depends if you use "catalyzers" (experience doublers you get from outposts) and the efficiency of your hunting. If you work on one skill, you could get to 150 quite fast. I also helps to have a good guild or some friends that can help you level.
7. You should finish all the missions on silan, until yoiu think you know what you're doing.
8. Well, at this bad time, many are still playing other games while we wait for any news of Ryzom being bought. During normal times(before the bankruptcy) there were many people around. Our community actually talks to eachother here, so you won't really be lonely even as a newbie.
9. Players can be found around the clock. The game has many european players that would be online when you are.
10. Alts aren't necessary, but players find it fun to return to silan sometimes
11. Assuming you COULD register tomorrow, yes, it will be 1 month from the date you subscribe.
12. The population will be back to normal when the game is bought. However, there are still enough people around to play with.
Sorry for short replies, but I didn't have much time