Difference between missions and quests...

Ok..so I have gone through the game pressing "L" and doing the quests in there. But one time I was in the Great Northern Wall and this guy tells me to join his group to do a mission. I ask him what mission, and he says "the one right here". I get very confused, since i have no quest there. So i join, and it goes into a cooperative "Mission" with a storyline and cinematics. Can someone explain how to find when these missions are available and how to activate them? Thanks.

edit: They're called cooperative missions

There are 2 missions.

1: A quest, assigned by a npc.

2: A mission, where you hit "enter mission" in areas wich offer this.

Regards, Ashleigh.

Wow i never knew this, and yes I did read the manual. I think I understand now. So which places offer missions?

The mission normally takes you on to a new area so you can carry on with the story. Sometimes it will take you to a new town which gives you a chance to do quests and explore new places.

All mission start areas have a "Enter Mission" button on your party window. The missions pretty much flow one to another. There are a few areas that the end of one mission does not drop you directly into the start of the next, however these are generally larger areas that have additional services. There is generally a quest that will direct you to the next mission area. They will be labeled "Primary Quest" in green to add emphasis.

Also, Each mission so far seems to have 2 goals. Primary, and Bonus. Each worth 1000 exp and a skill point.

There isn't always a skill point involved. Most are just the 1000EXP. Worthwhile in itself!

Look at your map. The places that have a shield icon are missions. If the shield is blinking, you didn't finish it, if it has one sword you finished either the primary or the secondary quest there and if it has two swords you finished both.

Most of the time, when you finish a mission, you be in the outpost for the next mission. Like when you finish the Great Northern Wall mission, you are in the outpost for the Fort Ranik missions. Sometimes you have to walk a bit through the explorable areas to get to the next mission, like after the third mission you have to walk to the fourth and so on.

O ok I think im getting it now. Thanks for all the responses.