Seconding Project 1999. I have played on and off (mostly off) since near the beginning. I wish I had more time to play it. It takes so long to make decent progress that it’s just not for me these days. I’ve thought about rolling a cleric so that I could maybe/hopefully get groups quickly and maybe then in 10 years I’ll be max level

It is possible to switch, but the more experience you have the less likely it will be. Switching teams internally can be easier if that is an option.