1) Excellent. You after wait for a thread to start up, I would join one of Llama's newbie games. As an alternative you could always sub for someone.
2) You can trade as much as you and other players want, its fun! But its mainly about fighting!
Your description fits playing MA Ulm thou...
3) Non Agression Pact, usually with a number, ie...3. A promise you are going to give 3 game turns notice before you invade whomever you had the NAP with. Very, very common treaty in MP.