(just to be clear)
Generally most Role-playing is done in the battlegrounds.
...and Deimos, I would have responded a bit sooner but my browser crashed and by the time I got it sorted, I had to go to work .:ohwell
(just in case you thought I was ignoring you earlier).
Heres a random example of a fleet battle:
In the hands of the Gods:
[url="http://therebelfaction.com/forums/showthread.php?t=829"]http://therebelfaction.com/forums/showthread.php?t=829[/url]
Should give you an idea of how it all works.
There are many examples in there, dive in and read a few.
Just so you know, you don't
need to join a faction, (although you will benefit from experienced Rp-ers, amongst other things), you are quite welcome to just start a roleplay in the Battlegrounds once you feel confident enough to do so.
My advice would be to take your time and look around to help get an idea for the types of characters / factions that interest you.
Read a couple of roleplays to get a feel of the place.
(also if you don't get a response straight away, be patient, many of us here are all on different timezones).
Welcome to TRF.