Reported or replied to? Players aren’t told when they’re reported until after action is taken. If you’re watching a thread you get notified every time someone replies to the thread which is completely different from a report
No, traders have the advantage of being able to offer something that encourages good relations with those around them. i.e. If you’re able to social network people won’t plunder you because they’ve decided to work with you. But it’s upto you to make that connection. You have to work with others in order to be a trader and not a lone wolf. If you’re not willing to do anything for anyone else then you can’t expect them to want to help you or go easy on you
Right now, you’re anything but a trader. You haven’t set up your city to trade because you haven’t set it up to have any sort of social network. You’re not willing to work with anyone so you won’t be able to trade even if you build up stock. You need to take a step back, take on the advice of those who know what they’re doing, humble yourself when it comes to guild requirements and actually work with those around you
Indeed. Trader, farmer or fighter or all rolled into one, much of this game is about teamwork. Hence the guilds, the social bar, the message center and all the social networking the game encourages and requires us to do.
You can play completely solo, if that's what you want, without guilds or friends or teamwork, but your progress in the game will be extremely slow and difficult.
You're not a trader just because you trade a few excess goods in the global market. Traders stockpile thousands of each good and trade with a vast amount of friends and guild members. Some players, who don't enjoy fighting, gather large amounts of goods for their guild's treasury, so they can can be used in GE, GvG and GBG.
It's all about working together and helping each other to grow and prosper. But it's also about war and fighting - and stealing and safekeeping! Fighting and farming can't be separated in two different game paths as you suggest. It's all connected.