To the original poster and other new players being frustrated about the event - a few words of encouragement (I hope) ...
I joined in october 2006 - right before the end of the previous major swarming event. I was at that time obviously below level 100 in both fight and magic, and I felt the event at that time wasnt something for me as a new player. Everything seemed chaotic. I didnt really understand the game, and everytime I went just a few paces outside Fairhaven I died, before really learning more about how to survive in the game. The event ended shortly after I joined, so I will never know if I actually could have meaningfully participated in the event at that time. But back then I was certain that it wasnt something for me as a new player. Perhabs I was wrong.
I am still below level 100 in fight and magic, my weapons and armor are of sturdy choice quality but nothing more. But what is different this time is that my ´player skills,´the understanding of the game and the flora and fauna of Atys, has improved. This time I am enjoying the event very much. Right, I cant go to my usual digging spots or hunting ground, and I have reached my maximum level of death penalty and tend to stay there - but that is really not an issue I think. DP go away in time, and I have really enjoyed being able to contribute to the project of defending hominity against our archnemesis the Kitin.
And though I have reached max DP, I have also met many new homins in the struggle - I usually meet them when they stumble across my badly wounded body somewhere on a delivery trail and help me out of harms way...
So I continue to struggle on, and even though I am low level, I feel that I have been able to contribute, and most importantly I have had great fun. In the first part of the event, before the swarming, I did all the delivery missions in the four regions, both in teams and solo. Teams are obviously more social and much more fast and efficient for a low level player, but I liked the challenge of doing the deliverys solo as well afterwards. It added to the DP, but it was a great challenge and after a few tries it was possible do to the entire run solo.
For the digging missions, a careplanner is allways needed in a team, regardless of which region or level you are working in.
The common threat of the Kitin, the dangers of travelling alone, the need to work to together to defend the homin civilization... All of this has made homins step forward and band together in a common effort. Finding a team hasnt been difficult, and just to single out one initiative I would like to salute the continued effort of the TRUDGE teams who regularly announce for participants in Universe channel everytime a new delivery or digging mission is underway.
So to all new players finding this frustating - I understand you, Ive been there myself, and the time of a major swarming isnt the best time to learn how to survive or enjoy life on Atys. But rest assured that the event wont go on forever, and in the meentime I hope you´ll join with other homins in our common effort againt the Kitin menace.