M'lady, welcome to our community of <strike>disasters</strike> fun. I hope you'll have pretty much exciting activity here.
If you're looking for faction, you should check Colonial Republic. It's an old faction, however, newcomers-friendly. It's full (one and only) lore is still under development, however, we have plenty of funs (and lulz) there.
If you are looking for some fun in Bretonia, contact me. We can do some good RP with my beloved BAF and pirate miners together.
About trading, it all depends on what you wish to do for future. If you are going to get a big ship, which I dont advice you to, you may go for mining. Otherwise pirating is really funny and a fast way to get money. It also will put you in many situation where to interact with the players. But I think you know that.
I will certainly try to play as a pirate, but when and where is still unknown for me. But what I can assure you is that I will definitely visit Bretonia, as soon as I have a character that is supposed to go to Bretonia. In any case the time will come where I will be in Bretonia. :happy: