Hello everyone, I've recently happened upon this thread through old and good link surfing madness and, in my love of all things dwarfy\elaborate, decided to give it a go. Although I've already covered the summary and a good deal of the wiki, as well as the latest tactical exploit, I need some advice regarding character creation and hoped that some good samaritan... Or machiavelic mastermind... Would clarify a few aspects of the ordeal:
1. Would it be safe to assume that the region southwest of the southern mountain chain in Elbreth is desertic?
2. Between a martially minded Mongol-esque Warlord-to-be and slightly insane and once powerful Wizard crippled both physically and mentally after magical backfire, which one feels more original? It is also of note that the later would only be a powerful magic user as far as his background goes, given that an important aspect of his more likely than not permanent "condition" is the total loss of casting ability. Summing it up, one is your typical Raider Leader with a hue of extra honor and the other a possible future Evil Chancellor. I reckon that the second, in spite of not really being a caster anymore, is unlikely to be approved, but I thought it was still worth mentioning due to his intended behavior being far more psychologically complex than the other's.
3. How deeply do the starting traits affect gameplay? Is it simply a "starting skill set" kind of choice or something that cannot be attained by any other means along the game, setting your path in stone?
Thanks to any who may help me and please do point out any errors, grammatical or otherwise, you may have noticed; English is not my native language and as such I try to use people's pointers in the web to pick up flaws in my writing (I do not really get much of an opportunity t use the language in my country).