I can bring up my existing explorer, no problem.
Create new - name select gender play [next screen] - network failure
Win7pro
"There has been a Network error. Please try again. If the problem persists please contact support"
[So far, this is taken from my problem report on Minkata shard, still not fixed]
I go Back, no new explorer
Almost
I quit, return, There's my new explorer.
So, odd, failure on Minkata, false failure on Gehn.