To play multiplayer, all you do is click on the multiplayer button when you load your game, then choose to load a new internet game, load an existing game, join an internet game etc. What happens next depends on what you want to do.
If you select load new game, you will get a game set up screen where you enter the game rules and passwords. You will then have the choice of where your game starts (whether prologue or chapter one etc). You will also choose whether to begin with a new character or use one from your character file. If you wish to use the character in your single player game you will need to export her first. Do this by loading your single player game, clicking on options, then beside the save button you will see save character. Click this.
If you choose load existing game, you will load as you do in single player (by selecting your game from a list) but you will be prompted to select a character for the game. I would advise having a dedicated multiplayer character and not swap the character between single and multiplayer, the game is buggy here and if you load a new character into an existing multiplayer game or vice versa, you may find that friendlies turn hostile and you will lose quests.
If you choose to join an existing multiplayer game you will be taken to a "room" (similar to Gamespy's rooms that list ongoing games in the top half of the screen, and a chat room in the bottom half. If the game title is red text this means it is password protected. In the top left you will see a number of "rooms", choose one that suits your style (ie story, social etc) Here you will see a number of existing games. Click on one of these games then select to connect (not direct connect unless you know the IP address)....
Re your character level, she looks fine to me. I have started multiplayer with different levels, my current char in one game is level 3 after starting at level 1 - it really depends on where you are intending to start your game, which chapter...
I have waffled too long
I hope this answers your questions
Basically any level character - depending on chapter, and any server depending on gaming style (and ping). As far as what you need, just a licensed copy of the game, and a sign on with NwN multiplayer (you will be taken through this process). Have fun!
