It costs an NP, but does bring certain advantages. Save the gold and the NP for something more useful. This is the one case where you can travel through Provinia in relative safety. Just go straight to Aethalarn, study Beastmastery, and get back to IC as quickly as possible. Beastmastery one of the most important skills you can learn, and is often the key to prosperity in Olympia.
Beasts cost nothing to maintain, and are generally more powerful than human troops.
Once again, only study the skills that you directly need, plus those recommended here. The next step is to get out of IC and on to the high seas, which is where the game really begins. A large proportion of Olympia has already been colonised, but contrary to popular belief there are still some places where a faction can land and establish a home. It is a good idea to read the Olympia Times and try to determine what alliances, if any, are recruiting new players. The way to get in touch with these alliances, and in fact with any unit or faction in the game, is through direct or diplomatic e-mail.