So I haven't been on this site in about four years, fair to say I'm a little out of the loop. I'm hoping one of you won't mind giving me a little refresher! Is is possible to craft healing items or do they have to bought/found? How are AP and scales earned?

Thank you for your time!

Important point to know is that the level up/proficiency systems have been overhauled into a single system that works pretty differently from before. You get the three currently available points for it at levels 0, 30, and 60.

New equipment obtained now has revamped stats, and two new types (Arcanist- boosts only Int) and Ravager- boosts only Str)
Example:
Old
Relic, Illusionist, lv60, Epic
Damage: Either Str 245/ Int 245 / both at decreased score
13 Str
25 Int
13 Dex
25 Agi

New
Relic, Illusionist, lv60, Epic
Damage: Int 245
15 Str
25 Int
15 Dex
30 Agi

(now only Disciple relics have Both at once, and the damage scores are not decreased)

Healing items can be bought, found, obtained from missions. (While there is currently no crafting, once the Megazone is released it can be expected that we'll be able to craft the MZ-specific healing items when in the Megazone)

AP- Advancement Points- are gained for things like advancing in the story, and doing certain things on the site. They are now also used for things aside from just buying more base things in the Wardrobe; now they can also do things like buy more save slots in the generator.

Scales are earned solely from nurturing egglings/hatchlings.