If I tell the Lewd Old Man I plan on being alone...

[Elder Zap]

Seems like this game has you making important decisions before you have much of an idea what's going on. At least for me. If I tell the Lewd Old Man that I intend not to team up... what are the consequences? Can I never have a team? If so... I think I should have picked different traits...

[Tingly]

I don't believe you can join his sect later if you refuse, or come back if you leave after joining. There are plenty of party members other than the old man in this game, you aren't locked out of 'having a team'.

The 'old man sect' is sort of like an extended tutorial, he gives you some powerful martial arts that are useful for all characters and naturally guides you towards a true ending. It takes quite a while before you'll have the chance to leave, if you join. You can only be in one sect at a time, so being in his does block you from doing a lot of other stuff while it's going on.

[Inzu]

He's your first opportunity to join a sect. There are many sects in the game you can join.

Party members will join you unless you are in an opposing sect or don't meet the personality/morality requirements. You just need to get your relation with them high enough - gifting, doing quests for them, etc.

[Juvante]

The game doesn't want to force you into things too much and there's permanent consequences in alot of situations.

But you can do multiple playthroughs as well.

The old man gives you 1 chance to join at the start.

[Bite Me]

follow your heart in the first game and have fun. if it fks up, it fks up. That's RPG.

[Dondu]

the old man is the option that gives you direction... thats pretty much it

[DawnCry]

Personally I wish we had another chance to join the old man sect at some point in the story, I just don't want to join him at minute 1 but would be more than willing if given time, but that's about it.