Ill divide answers into two sections.
First off: Yeah, you can do quests or build reputation, but NPC reputation is worth less than shit (which you will get used to). Real reputation means that players know something about you. For now on you can be just "one of many", not the chosen one nor part of big and living society. Smaller roleplay projects are often held by smaller groups, search a lil and you can get yourself into them. This is gonna change soon, after Faction Masters will start working normally.
Then: Gun means nothing. Player-to-player reputation is worth much more, as guns can be obtainable easily, once you get used into the game.
Current alive factions are:
PvPThe North Bandits (my faction): group of raiders searching for competition, usually aggresive - yet supporting small RP movements (and some bigger ones too). Its pretty much alliance of some smaller gangs: Bang Bang Smash [Polish], Soliders of Thunderstorm [Mostly Russian], Mash Force [Mostly Russian], Red Dot Army [Polish + Russian], The Amboy Dukes [French], and one fag Linnea from Norway.
Tim, Tom and Ted Lawyers Agency (if I am correct): group of facist lawyers (no offence guys
) trying to set up first free to live unguarded city. They got their outlaws list, and you may not except warm greetings from them, once you get there. For now trying to set up light of hope in Redding city. Im holding thumbs.
http://fodev.net/forum/index.php?topic=14178.msg116552#msg116552 .
The Wasteland Wildlife Protectors alliance of: TTTLA / VSB / HAWK / GUARDIANS / The Sarmatian(TSAR) / Crazy88 / KoTW / AC / RANDOM PEOPLE, working together in order to maintain Redding as safe place.
The Dark Brotherhood: Group of Polish players with war declared to TNB and WWF. Also known as Chosen Soliders.
Not so PvP (For those groups my information may not be accurate)
The Crazy88: Anti Player Killers faction helding many funky activities. Cant provide much more information, sorry :p
The Vault Silene Brahminy: old faction, supporting WWP (AFAIK), for now not so active (or maybe having their own fun without help from outside)
The Sarmatians: Another warm faction.
The Street Queens: Polish faction oriented for helping polish newcomers. Led by Wichura.
The Guardians: Another warm faction.
The Broken Hills Hunters: Led succesful roleplay project in Broken Hills for mentionable peroid of time, for now trying to get into TC (Town Control)
PS. mentioned above facions: please write me what should I post in here, cause I really dont know how to describe you guys.
Also, those nonPK groups which would like an adversitement here, lemme know
PvP wannabeesMurder Death Kill: bad behavioured player killers. During their cooperation with TNB they felt big and strong, now, after being kicked - not as loud as before.
Section 8: I heard that they are player killers, but I never seen them, and those rumours were spread by
bluesuits.*Dogs of War: Also known as freeloot lords, being in conflict with MDK.
*Bluesuit is default cloth in here, means you have nothing... To loose. Bluesuits are usually considered as trolls/griefers, and therefore often killed on sight.
Raiding cities needs you to join a faction, as mechanic and political reality of the game wont able you to do any real PvP alone. If you manage to find one alone guy to rip off from stuff, he will call his friends in 98/100 causes.