[member="Scarloc"]
Hello and welcome.
So, factions are your characters governmental alignment. If you're listing one you'll want to apply to it as well. When you're officially part of the faction you'll receive PMs informing you of various invasions, dominions, and other news. It also makes you official for mission listings etc. No harm in applying really, just free information.
As for starting, nah, provided you're not coming into things with the Deathstar

just make sure things are properly justified and fair, as well as logical. A slave on tattooine isn't going to own a super nice Tantive IV or star destroyer. As for your weapon choice, again, up to you. Most people start with their weapons, though, depending on your faction there are missions which involve building such weapons. For the most part you'll find this site to be non-restrictive!
Dang! I was beaten to it.