Step 1: Download The Client
There are two methods to getting the client, one is an Iso Download and the other is a Torrent. With the Iso you will need to download Daemon Tools, mount the ISO and copy the files out of the virtual drive (alternatively use .7zip or WinRar to extract its contents). For the torrent download I suggest you use uTorrent (and for gods sake READ the uTorrent installer, it has a bloatware bundled thing that installs if you hit "I accept" on something looking like a legal page - cough cough Pilot)
Step 2: Download The Launcher
Download the Launcher, extract it and put all the files in the Warhammer Online folder. Then run the Launcher, select war.exe when it asks you to and you're done.
Step 3: Create An Account and Login
Register an account on this website, and verify the email address. The account username and password will be your login details.
Step 4: Playing
There is only one server (Martyr something), and we are playing Order (High Elf, Dwarf and Empire). You can make Destruction alts on the same server, but be aware there is an 8 hour cooldown between logging out of one faction, and into the other; this neuters espionage for RVR events (in theory).
Note 1: The Guild
We don't have one right now, you need 6 players in a group to visit the capital city (Altdorf) to found one. I'll arrange founding one asap. This guild is NOT restricted to GWRS members, so feel free to sucker in friends and family just for the experience.
Note 2: Content
It's a private server so not everything works. There is only 1 PVP battleground (scenario) right now called Nordenwatch (albeit it was the best one). I believe only Empire/Chaos are the only areas finished, so eventually the other race zones will be added. Mythic couldn't hand over all the files, so developers are having to rebuild the game from sniffed packets; think of it this way, they have all the lego bricks and need to put them together to make the same model.
Note 3: VoIP
Teamspeak will be required for some content like dungeons, it's a death sentence without it - this is not like WoW (see below)
Note 4: This Isn't WoW
This isn't WoW, the game is harder and is designed around PVP. There is a ton of story driven quests and Public Quests (open world dungeon things - they're super badass, the first Dark Elf one has you fighting a Sun Drake), but they're all accessible to the other faction for ganking. The game discourages high levels ganking low levels in a hilarious way, if you enter a zone thats for toons 20 levels lower than you then you get morphed into a chicken with 1 HP (A zombie chicken if you're Destruction).