At first level, your faction choice grants a number of benefits. You gain a list of Starter benefits ONLY AT CHARACTER CREATION. However, you may receive these items and benefits if you pay the starter cost of 400sp when joining. You gain the GENERAL benefits whenever you would join a faction. Additionally, unless otherwise stated, any equipment granted is nonmagical. Players that join a faction must meet any prerequisites that the faction requires and at character creation, a faction may not be joined with bad faith to break its tenets or grievous meta-gaming actions.
If you wish to play an evil character then you must join a Faction which specifically accepts evil aligned characters. You cannot be an evil character and be factionless. (If exiled, things will be handled on a case by case basis).