Questing is not necessarily a focus for power-leveling but it is necessary to complete the level 200+ area Arcane River, as well as the final area confronting the Black Mage (Tenebris). In … (more)addition: several characters (such as Cadena and Illium) cannot gain EXP outside of starting areas if certain story quests are not completed, most characters cannot job advance if certain story quests are not completed, and certain bosses (Lotus, Damien, Chaos Root Abyss, Magnus) cannot be accessed unless their corresponding quests (Black Heaven, Heroes of Maple, Root Abyss, and Heliseum questlines respectively) are completed.
The free market was shut down in favor of the Auction House. To access the Auction House, click on the menu bar with three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner of the screen, then select "Auction House". You can only do this in towns. Any tradeable item can be sold on the Auction House without the need to purchase a store permit. 10 items can be sold at a given time (24 if you qualify for MVP status), and mesos/unsold items can be reclaimed in the "Transactions" tab.
Buying works the same way, you can browse a list of items available in the "Buy" tab, and filter the results accordingly using the filter tab on the left-hand side.
You should seek out a guild that matches your interests and is friendly to newcomers. While I can't advise you on any specific guild since I, personally, don't pay much attention to them, my best advice is to actively look for one, rather than expecting players to come to you. There should be plenty of guilds in Bera that will take you. (less)
Older gear was grandfathered in as all clear dots, so you can use any applicable flame on items that were obtained before flames were implemented.
You can obtain Powerful flames from … (more)monster collection, the legion shop, crafting, the new Daily Gift UI, and events. Eternal flames are the same (sans legion shop). Items also drop fairly commonly with powerful stats already applied, like for example I got not one but two Black Bean Marks recently which feature +5% all stat flames, without ever having to reroll.
Ultimately, the level-based flames are meant more for low-level equips, rather than for rerolling end-game items, which renders them useless on your main character. (less)
While your items may have nostalgic value, they aren't worth much in terms of power. If you want to keep their appearance for you to wear, you can use a Fusion Anvil item from the cash … (more)shop (2,700 NX) to transfer their appearance onto a more powerful item.
YinYangX specified the best-in-slot (BiS) items, but these are difficult to obtain (Arcane equips require you to beat Lucid or Will, Absolab requires you to beat either Lotus or Damien). You should focus on obtaining something simpler, like Pensalir (drops from level 140+ mobs) first, and working towards best-in-slot items.
You should purchase an AP reset scroll from NPC Matilda (available in most major towns), and reassign your AP into your main stat (secondary stat requirements were removed).
Your character's name was also likely wiped during the name clearing event some time ago. You can instantaneously change your name using a name change coupon from the cash shop (15,000 NX). https://support-maplestory.nexon.net/hc/en-us/articles/360000171403-Character-Name-Change-Coupon-info
The coupons have been present in certain event shops in the past, but I cannot confirm they will be in any upcoming shop.
Flames since they're the only ones I have on this character. But what's with that white dot restriction? I just logged in to check the equips and they do have white dots, but so do non-equipment items like Spell Traces, Occult Cubes, Chairs and literally everything else. I checked another character and all equipment I am able to Flame has clear dots. There's no in-game restriction notice I'm aware of for using Flames.
Clear dots can be flamed with any flame of the equip's corresponding level or higher (e.g. level 110 flames can be used on level 110 items and below). White dots mean Powerful/Eternal flames only for that item. The reason they're on other, non-equipment items probably has to do with how the inventory system is programmed, and not for any real reason.
You can view information on item dots here.
From what I can identify and guess, here are the reasons you cannot flame the equips visible in your image:
I can't tell what Shining Rod that is in the first slot, but possibly an Utgard? In which case, it's level 140 and you cannot use 110/120 flames on it
Pensalir Cape: level 140 (too high)
Cross Ring: You cannot flame rings
Poisonic Soul Shooter: Likely a white-dot item
I cannot identify the earrings, so I cannot confirm the reason
Aquatic Letter Eye: Likely a white-dot item
Zakum Tree Branch: White dot
Blue Varuna(s): White dot
Casa Crow: Likely a white dot
The remaining items can be flamed (as evidenced by being in color). (less)
