This game has a flat XP progression. This means everyone has the same amount of XP regardless of whether they are a new or returning character. All characters currently have additional XP equal to 1 + the amount of events that have been run.
After each event every character gains 1 advantage XP and 1 skill XP. They may spend this XP by purchasing an advantage and a skill. All advantages and skills cost 1 XP.
Advantages may be chosen from within any element, excluding Kage unless you have access to that list.
You may advance any skill you have any level in without the need for an Instructor.
New skills must, unless you have received specialist training such as with the Instruction background, come from your school or universal skill list.
Current XP:
8 Advantage
8 Skill
Each element has 5 advantages, and characters can purchase these advantages at character creation or advancement. The amount of advantages a character has in an element is called their ring value (RV). This represents how in tune with that element the character is, and some abilities work better if you have a high RV in that element.
For example, if a character has purchased three advantages in Ka (Fire), and two in Sui (Water), then you would have a Ka RV of 3, and a Sui RV of 2. If you could cast the advanced spell Mass Heal, then you could target 2 more people.
Progressing a skill beyond the second level allows you to customise the skill through a conversation with the game team, creating a unique and personalised skill to suit your character.
For example, if a character wanted to progress to the third level of the Ceremony Master skill, they could ask for an ability which would allow them to contribute spell slots to ceremonies without expending theirs, perform more ceremonies in a day, or specialise into performing a certain type of ceremony better.
Please remember these examples are to help show you what you could ask for, not what you should ask for.