"Characters"

I see that when buying tags and signatures one is expected to have a "character" with a reference sheet. Are these just for roleplayers? Or can anyone have characters? Where do you "get" the character if you aren't good enough at art to make your own? I plan on becoming a deluxe member soon and feel like I dont understand this facet of the game/community. Thanks in advance!

Characters are often not used for rp at all, but plenty of people will give them a backstory, personality profile, etc to make them feel more lively. They usually simply start off as horse designs, which are sold in the character sales forum section. Pretty much anyone can make these designs, which often are put together on free lineart (if the seller isn't a lineartist themselves) or even on free bases as well. When you buy a character you get a reference sheet (ref) for it, which is what is used as the template for how the design should look when it is recoloured onto tags, sigs, or other art you buy.

River basically covered it. Custom characters can also be commissioned by other players who do art and such. the art aspect of the community is very fun, and very much addicting (personally) to buy characters lol. you dont need to be deluxe, either, to own one. though, if you are deluxe, you can use the art (such as tags and signatures) on your profile.

And just a tip, some tag/signature artists would be perfectly happy to color a simple white, black, chestnut, or bay horse if you don't have a character. Just ask them before ordering if they'd be willing to do it :)

Besides making your own or buying a design off of someone else, there's also this topic for people who are new to the art community

Thanks everyone! That makes a lot more sense and seems more accessible now! I can't wait to become part of the art collecting crowd!