Did you log in on the game itself?If not press Esc, then click on network =3

Aw, don't worry, we all have glitches once in awhile! Let's see what we can do to give you a little advice:

First of all, if the controls are jerky it could mean that your computer is just running a little slow for it. You can try turning down the nature detail in the game to help with this problem. To do this just look under the settings in game and you should see a bar titled 'nature detail' that you can just slide down lower.
Second, with your deer, sometimes it takes a little while to get new players registered, so try again tomorrow or the day after. If it is still not working try contacting the forums or help area.
As to the light bursts and masks, you probably just ran into what is usually called a 'spellspamming' party where a bunch of deer just gather to have fun and cast spells on each other. Sometimes there are deer that don't enjoy this, so be sure to mind the ones that don't seem to want to interact! Most players though are clear about their wishes, and some even have helpful guides to their characters actions so that you can understand just what they're trying to communicate.

The hopping in place is another bug that can come from the game running slow. You may be able to help this with lowering the details but otherwise I can only suggest trying to reinstall the game.

Good luck with all to come! IF you have any other questions feel free to ask away!

It was very cool, although it seemed like the masks vanished again quick.

It actually sounds like I missed some login screen, so that explains the no pictograph problem.

The game is so pretty! But I'll try that lowering the detail level, I think I'd be willing to sacrifice a little detail for getting it to run smoother. My computers are always built from whatever hand-me-down bits and pieces I can get, so I knew I was pushing things trying this game, but I've been eyeing it since before I switched over to this computer, since the last one wouldn't have stood a chance of running it.

I'm hoping people could tell I was enjoying the spells, and I would've cast some back if I knew how. I was having a lot of trouble with slow/unresponsive controls at the time and then I had to flee to drive my roommate to class...

But thanks for all the advice and the welcome!

When you play as a guest, you can't pick up or keep spells. As a fawn, though, you can cast. &hearts

Edit: Really? When did you register?

Ah. When you're not logged in, you generally appear as an adult (who can't keep spells as well and has no pictogram). ^^
As a logged in fawn, you also can't keep them.
To cast spells, a button will pop up with either a deer rubbing a tree (when you're in the general area of a tree with pinecones; when you rub the tree and eat the pinecone that falls out, you get an antler spell), or a deer eating mushrooms (mask spells, like you saw). Then, a new button will pop up with either a mask or antlers on it. When it glows yellow (when you face another deer), you can press it and cast a spell.
Pelt spells can be gained by sitting by a sleeping deer.
:3
And that's how spells work.

Okay... I'll have to get myself logged in properly when I try it tomorrow, and then I'm guessing I should show up as a fawn. I was starting to wonder about that, since it said you're supposed to start out as one.