Enthusiatic noob would like some basic instructions...

[NihiloZero]

I am not very technically proficient, but I recently downloaded the game from steam and REALLY appreciate the community surrounding the game.  Now I would basically like to know how to add some skins(? i.e. character appearances) which I've found.  Where can I find the absolute simplest instructions for doing this most basic thing?  I've already found some sites with the skins, and I will add the attributes, but where do I store those files so that the game can access them and I can edit them (in-game for their skills and whatnot)? 

Also... Is it true that there are other missions people have made which I can try out?!  Where is the best place to find these and how do I plug these in?  Are they just glorified war rooms or what?  I have no delusions about making skins or scenarios or maps, but I would like to be able to plug in those I've found.

And finally... is it true that I can play live online?! 

WOW!  This is an awesome game. 

[Ares_God_of_War]

Welcome and Enjoy.

For your first question I will counter with two questions. Which version of FF are you using 1 or 2? And are you getting the corresponding mesh to the skin as well or did you just get skins?

Yes there are lots of Mods around with varying degrees of complexity. Here is one for some FF 1 http://frp.unlimited2.net/mods/ Also Bentongrey and Tommyboy have made FF mods as well that I am aware of. I dont use them so I am not the best to answer that one.

Yes you can play online but not too many people do.

[John Jr.]

Welcome aboard!
Like Ares said, we need to which game you're using to best help you, since the instructions for  are different from the instructions for 
You can see almost all Mods (new campaigns with different heroes you can add to the game) here:
http://freedomreborn.net/forums/index.php?topic=48992.0

[Previsionary]

http://frworld.wikispaces.com/Installing+skins+and+meshes  <--- the FR wiki will help you with skin/mesh installations.

Also, check out the comprehensive list of tutorials: http://freedomreborn.net/forums/index.php?topic=50675.0. It covers the majority of the commonly asked questions as does the FF Game topic faq: http://freedomreborn.net/forums/index.php?topic=49868.0

[Alaric]

Welcome to the Forums! Grab a seat and make yourself comfortable!

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Welcome to the boards Nihilo.  There is indeed a wonderfully vast array of mods of all sorts made by the community at large, as others have pointed out. 

I don't know how well they all work with the Steam versions though (as a recent convert to the Steam versions i can tell you that skins and meshes work perfectly, but I've not installed any mods yet)