So I just found the server and was planning on trying it out at launch. If I read correctly if you played during beta you will have the skills you leveled up already carried over? Is this right or I read it wrong? Also wouldn't that give people a head start over others?
That is right, they keep their skills. People have been playing here for the past 3 months helping beta test and have already been wiped once. At some point its not really an advantage, people will always find the shard later and later, so the people here on day 1 have an advantage over the people who find it a year from now. There is a land rush system going into effect. The first land rush will happen in about 30 days and certain areas will be open for placing. This gives everybody a chance to farm and create characters, while still having the opportunity to place a home in a nice location.