Hey there Helgrim,
Welcome to Layonara! Yes, on this server you do need a character approved to play. I think a lot of people have the most fun if they take a couple minutes to write up a character they'd really like, but if you just want to test things out you can make up a really simple bio, like a human fighter, which will get approved super quickly usually, or you can check out the
Character Stable which is full of pre-written characters, just acknowledge that you want to play one of them, and the next GM to see it will approve you right away.
Hope this info is useful to you! And again, welcome.
~Carillon