How exactly does it work? Also, how do I get the "Catalysts, Pearls and Sculpting Agents"? Do I have to buy diamonds in order to get these?

I did buy a sandbox, it was pretty expensive, and I did get a sculpture going (another player gave me one.) I completed a quest and got a shovel and dug up a shell. I used it and got a pearl and the clicked around for a few and used it on the sculpture? However I don't really understand the workings of it and how to get it to progress.

Nope, no diamonds needed.

If you go to Seasonal Festival under the Explore Tab, you can go to the fest zone, Esior's Cove. By fighting bosses and opening chests there, you might find catalysts, clams, etc. that you'll need to sculpt things.

Alternately, you can check the trade broker to buy things from other players, using gold. Sculpting stuff is under Miscellaneous. You may have to search for specific items by name.

As for the sculpting process itself. At minimum, you need a catalyst. You buy sand for the box and put the cata in. Adding a pearl is recommended, to give the pet more traits. Other items can specify male/female, add hidden traits, select specific trait slots, increase base stats, etc.

Over time, the sculpture will be in need of tending. You or other players can use agents on the sculpture, which will take it closer to 100%.

What are some species you like? I have some extra catas. I may be able to send you one to start you off.

Ahh ok! I think I've encountered one of the bosses there, but died twice when I tried to defeat it. I'll have to be on the lookout for any chests! I honestly didn't know that the trade broker existed. I'll have to start saving, because some of the equipment and pearls seem a bit expensive!

This makes a lot more sense - thank you!! I'll have to see if I can buy some agents as well. I've been fighting in the Cove area and have about 16 sun tokens!

As for species I like, I really enjoy Ny'vene, and a few of my other favorites are Aeridini, Ryori, Lupora and Zolnixi!

Thank you so much for your help!! Is there anything I can do in return for you?

Sent you a little something - the notifications will be in your overview, and the supplies will show up in the sculpting area.

Taking a look at your party, it may be a while before you can take on the bosses. Unlock your third party slot as soon as you can (I think you have to get to the Sanctuary of Saerielle to do so). You'll also want better equipment if you can get it - epic, legendary, or mythical stuff is best. When you hit lv25, there's some legendary lv25 gear you can buy from broker that's relatively cheap.

I'd also recommend adding a tank and/or a healer to your party - fire and air are good damage dealers, but aren't great with defense. Good tank elements are earth and shadow; the healing element is light. Light can double as a tank if you set it up right, though. Water is sort of a cross between tank and healer, though light is generally better at healing.

Also, are you doing missions? They're a good way to get gold, the occasional healing item, and some decent equipment. (Edit: looking at your stables, I'm guessing you aren't. If you want help setting up a "mission pet", just let me know.)

Thank you kindly!! I'll start leveling, I'm about 2 levels away so I'll see if I can hit that today!
I did attune one of my Ny'vene to Shadow, but I haven't started leveling her yet at all, since I'm still at a 2 party! I plan on it soon though.

I haven't done any missions at all. If you could help me set up a "mission pet," that'd be real neat! Thank you so much for all the help!

Generally people have at least one mission pet for every stat. For example, if you look into my first stable, most of the pets there are mission pets. I like to have 6 missions (the max) running all the time. But even one mission will be helpful.

I recommend lv60 pets, since they have 3 proficiency points, the max you can put into one stat. It's definitely doable with lower-level pets, but more prof points = higher stat = higher rate of success. You can't use pets above your user level to fight, but they can be sent on missions.

Taking a look at Advanced Search, there are some cheap lv60+ pets up for sale. The cheapest are this qit and this aurl, though you can look for yourself if you prefer.

If you buy one, you can then assign 3 proficiency points into the same stat (example for agility). If you let me know what stat you choose, I can send over some good equipment for that stat to help out even further. Such a pet should be able to conquer most any mission with ease. Match the pet to the mission, though - for example, I wouldn't send that agility pet out on strength missions.

I decided to go with the aurl, and the stat of intelligence! Also, I have another quick question: can I send pets that are in my party on missions?

Essentially I just need to look around for some higher level pets, assign them each to specific stats and send them out on missions with the appropriate gear that works best to their stats?

https://www.sylestia.com/proficiency/index.php?pet_id=5047424#page_top

yes- but you wont be able to fight while their on missions.