How to progress efficiently

I just started playing again after ~6 years and am still pretty early on in my progression (level 42). Now that I’m returning, it seems like there’s an overwhelming amount of content and gameplay systems, and either there aren’t built-in tutorials or I’m not seeing them since my account isn’t brand-new (or I already saw them and forgot everything). So I was wondering if anyone might be willing to answer a few questions about overall progression:

1. What is the most efficient way for early-game players to improve gear and get stronger? What systems should we prioritize and which ones can/should be ignored until later (e.g., crafting/professions, powders, potions, trading, dungeons, quests, and so on)? Is exploration enough to progress in the early-game, or are there things we should be grinding/farming?
2. Is there a point at which it becomes important that we have “good” builds—as in, we try to ensure our ability tree and skill point distribution and weapons and armor and accessories all synergize? Or can we get through most of the content just by using whatever we happen to get as long as it gives decent stats?
3. Is there a “main” questline that carries a primary story and/or guides progression up to end-game, whether official or unofficial? Or are there certain quests that are particularly important relative to others that we should keep an eye out for?

I realize these are rather vague/open-ended questions, but any responses or advice would be much appreciated. (And if there’s a question along these lines that I didn’t ask but I should’ve, that would be equally helpful to know.)

 

1) Use the new content book system that replaced the old quest book. There's a lot in it for sure, but there really isn't a need to do it all, just the ones that sound appealing, really. To more directly answer, though: Ignore professions unless you really want to tap into that OSRS-style grind (don't recommend), dungeons aren't really required, and quests still remain the best way to experience the most of the game on a first run.

2) At, like, level 100+, maybe. Until then no, not really.

3) There's a few questlines but none of them are one continuous, long-form story. Closest would be Realm of Light or Doguns and Dwarves, maybe, I guess? But even then those aren't for a number of levels past you so don't sweat it too much.

EDIT: Also worth noting the early game got revamped/rewritten a bit, if you have any amount of spare time/curiosity I'd recommend briefly starting a new class and checking out the first little smidge.

 

Starbright is correct