Welcome to Avatar: A New Journey! The set-up process isn't incredibly difficult, as long as you follow the guides available to you.
You start the process of character creation using the template provided in the Character Guidelines. This guide will give you most of the basic information you need for filling out the template and starting the character application process. While you have the option of choosing not to become a bender; a larger majority are likely going to go down that path. Because of this, we have a short guide on the different bending paths you may take, as well as what advanced/secondary bending arts are allowed for each path. Please keep in mind, you may take ONLY ONE basic bending art; we are not allowing Avatar-like characters at this time, nor for the foreseeable future. Make sure that the skills and abilities you want are allowed by your element, once you choose, the character cannot change elements. The guide for the elements can be found at the Bending Arts guide.
The biggest difference on A: ANJ compared to most avatar universes is that the benders are a currently oppressed minority, hiding out in the slums of non-bender cities and exclusive bender-only cities scattered throughout the realms. This gives non-benders the freedom of not having to hide, while benders have to go the extra mile to hide their innate abilities or risk, well, extinction.
You get to choose one element to start with (if you would like, you can choose not to be a bender). This element will be your main element while you're role-playing on this site. What element you choose will be a major factor in what you can and cannot do, as well as a limiting factor on what items you are able to use.
If, however, you choose in the end to start as a non-bender there are certain benefits you can reap: first of all, non-benders have access to starting with the chi-blocking ability, narrated further in its own guide. You also, as a non-bender, have the option to start with a singular free weapon created in the item mall following the very simple item guidelines.
While we do not have any sort of "ability list" here on A: ANJ we do have items which can be bought and purchased. The reasoning behind not having set, or locked, abilities is to encourage the freedom and skill needed to properly enjoy the Avatar-based worlds; most of the bending arts require split second adaptability that forcing set abilities would make impossible. However, there is still a set guideline by which your skills must follow; these are not so much the classic stat system as is a reference table to make sure that no one is claiming unfair advantages just because everyone is on different pages over what is and isn't allowed.
Ranks are not so much a declaration of power in as much as a declaration of skill. Your power and influence will not instantly rise with your ranking; merely the amount of your chosen element that you are able to bend, or the unlocking of your secondary bending skill. Otherwise, they are just titles and nothing more.
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We, the staff here at A: ANJ, hope you enjoy your stay. Any other questions should be answered through the various other guides around the section; otherwise you're more than welcome to contact our staff for answers.