Evony is a multilevel free online game.  It is one of the most addictive games I have ever played.  As you sign on to a server it is best to choose a newer server as the older servers have more experienced players and therefore, you may be vulnerable to attacks as your defences will be low.  The main strategy is to form or join alliances with in the game and plunder until you rule the server or the world as you know it.  I find that some alliances are better than others and also, just as with other alliances in life it helps if you have more in common with the players but more often than not the players in an alliance are family and friends who just do not want to meet in chat rooms, they enjoy having an interactive environment where there is more than a little excitement as alliances form diplomatic relationships or hostile.  The results can be hilarious or in the case of some alliances, test the strength of the alliance members and shake them to their core.  Here are some tips if you are just starting out.  I am on my way as you can see above but no matter, so long as I am having fun and the best part is except for during a war, I can take bathroom breaks:

1. Take full advantage of the free game features and especially the beginner-player mode.
2. In the beginner-player mode,  which is how we all start with an equal footing, there are quests which help you out along the way and provide you with resources to build your city from level 1 to level 10.  For the player who is in a hurry, simply hit speed up to take seconds to build up what may take hours.  The great thing is that everything is in real time.
3. The perks of the game are the alliances, you can always level up but it affords you protection, while you build up your cities defences.  This is a life saver, even as I write this, I know that my alliance members are watching out for my city.  As you enjoy your comrades online chatter and strategy to rule the server, it will make it easier if you take advantage of creating a place in the forum to discuss life on the server and in the community and this is a great communicating device for your alliance members.
4. Although, I only have 1 city, it is possible to have 10 cities as you grow in prestige, rank and title more perks are afforded to you. 
5. Make every effort to build your wall defences to level 10.  As you are attacked, this defence is one of the greatest gifts each player can give to themselves.  If you are inclined to speed things up a bit as this is real time and average build times vary from 50 to 200 hours for level 10 walls, Evony developed incentive programs such as writing an article and competing against other writers in a contest for 500 Free cents.  With this free money, players can buy goods and services that can come in pretty handy while you are building your city and especially during a war with another alliance.
6. To go to war takes resources, attacking barbarian cities will afford you all the resources you need to build up troops.  I strongly recommend that you make every effort to build barracks and share the timing of building troops.
7. To speed things up and make your city more appealing to the citizens, education and marketplace, embassy and inns as well as, a townhall upgrades will all be necessary.
8. Hopefully, you build your rally spot and your beacon tower up to the pretty high level's as well.  Your rally spot is where you send troops and practice generalized strategy to see if you will actually be able to attack and conquer your enemy's cities with Victory or Defeat.  The beacon tower will alert you, if your city is being attacked.  The higher your beacon level, the more information you can receive about your enemy and prepare for battle.

My hope is that you enjoy playing this outstanding game and I coming up will tips on what to do to make the most of your beginner's protection: the first 7-days!