You can access observatory/bazaar whenever

[RevangE]

So I’ve found that when you’re on a party with someone who has access to an observatory / bazaar, you can just teleport there and join a faction, even if you’re on a new character or just don’t have access to those places yet.

And you can just start increasing your favor, even if you just created a new character, this seems like a bug.

[Makszi]

Shhh don’t tell EHG! We like being able to join faction early!