Which quest or NPC would help alot.
Target the NPC. Press C or type /con to see how your faction is. If it's scowls at you, dubious, or apprehensive, most likely they won't give you any quest. If it's other than that, Press H or type /say Hail, %t to hail them. Generally, they will say something to you.
Note what they say in brackets, [ ], and type an appropriate response. As an example:
You say, 'Hail, Kuutas Gigglegibber'
Kuutas Gigglegibber says 'Hey, bud. I need to talk to you about something important. There may not be any Frostfell celebrations this year. Ol' Santug has been upset lately about how every time Frostfell rolls around, there are always some evil jokers out there who try to spoil everyone's good time by stealing the kids' toys, kidnapping Santug and holding him for ransom, ransacking and burning someone's village, and so on. Well, Santug has decided he's had enough, and is going to lay off all of us Gigglegibber goblins and just not do Frostfell at all this year. I don't have to tell you, this is not only bad for the Gigglegibbers, but it's bad for you too, if you get my [drift].'
You say, 'I get your drift...'
Kuutas Gigglegibber says 'Yeah. We Gigglegibbers depend on Frostfell for more than just the warm feeling of doing good things for others; it's our only paying gig, see, and Frostfell brings in enough plat for us to stay financially flush the whole year 'round. Of course, if we lost our connection with all that good holiday coin, we'd wind up with lots and lots of idle time on our hands. Time that we could fill with say, acts of petty larceny and hooliganism and whatever other kinds of trouble aimless goblins can get themselves into. You don't want that, and I don't want that. So why don't you help us help Santug; I've got a plan to help Santug get his holiday [cheer] back.'
etc.
If it's an old world quest, they will just tell you what to do in their dialogue, and optionally may give you an item to do something with. Newer quests are tasks, that bring up either the Quest Journal, Alt+Q, or a window with multiple tasks to choose from, and when one of those is accepted, it will bring up the Quest Journal.
The Journal is divided into 3 parts. The top section, shows the current tasks you have, the middle section shows the task steps for the selected quest in the top section, and the bottom section provides some information.
I hope this helps,
Yther Ore.