Hey welcome Dark! I just started up with this game a few months ago, so been in your shoes not long ago. A lot of the people on this forum have been playing this game for years, but know the ins and outs well because of it.
Don't get discouraged, takes time to build up and start accumulating wins. Jump in the shoutbox sometime and get to know the other players, what really helped with my game was seeing who I got along with and joining their alliance here on the forums. Gives you access to a lot more strategy information and the opportunity to get into some fun tournaments.
About anyone you interact with here you can find out what camps they run and what alliance they might be with by checking out the Alliance roster in the Reference forum, was just updated recently. Other than that, have fun man, glad to have you aboard.