From the game's introduction:
Avatar is a character based role playing game. It aims to be as flexible as possible, in terms of setting, by including an innovative World Building game and by basing action firmly around characterisation by means of a system of personality traits that build a realistic picture of the character for player and Gamesmaster alike.
Avatar uses open-ended combat and magic systems, which constantly refer back to these character templates to ensure the personality has a real and important effect on the game scenario. The rules assume some previous experience with role playing games, and many common gaming conventions are used without explanation (for example, 1d20 for the value obtained from rolling a twenty sided dice).
The system aims for fast, simple, easily resolvable rules management, with a minimum of in-play table reference. Once the basics have been understood, game-play should be slick, favouring character interaction over number crunching.