Basically I really want a new server where I can out some time and effort into and I like the idea of towny but can someone sum up the goals of it and what happens in it?

 

Towny is factions and survival combined. You're able to make towns, as the mayor. There are different in game ranks you can buy. Atm they give you extra hearts.

 

So what do I do? Make shops and sell stuff with warps or what?

 

I don't believe you're able to make shops yet. There are jobs, though. With each job comes certain perks. Wood cutter for example, it gives you money for each wood block you break. There's a miner job which you get money for mining. Fishing= money for fishing.

If you want a more in depth one, ask @Akrill
he knows it better.

 

@Akrill teach me to be the Towny master

 

I have screenies of the jobs and ranks, if you need.
Also, Akrill said that one of the ranks allows you to have /home I believe.