Marelt Ekiran.
Step 1: Choose a name, a gender, a starting position and a background.
The name and gender don't really matter, but they help for the build-up of a storyline. The background can be used as a guideline for your actions and as a factor for the path that you will take later in the game. The starting position determines how you observe the initial events and where you start the game. They are relatively close to each other.
Step 2: Choose a class and race.
This is important. Section 1.1 of the rules page gives a list of the available classes. Section 1.2 gives a list of the available races. The class comes with a package of primary statistics. The race offers a slight modification of those statistics. The class also includes two skills and a few skill restrictions. Choose, judging on what you want to do with your character. Remember to keep an eye on all statistics and try not to neglect any of them. I may make a check with any of them at any time. Take special care with endurance, since this directly determines your hit points.
Step 3: Choose two extra skills.
You can choose two more skills from all the non-restricted normal skills (section 3 of the rules page). These can be combat, magic or miscellanious skills. Try to avoid the miscellanious ones, since you can buy them during the game for a lot less gold than the others. Take skills that complement your abilities. If your initial skills don't have anything for defense, then take a defensive skill. If you only have defensive magic, then consider some more offensive magic. Remember, you can always buy others on the map, if you have the money. Take the skills that you will be needing at once. Remember, you can only use an item for which you have the skill (except for some standard stuff).
Step 4: Choose two extra attributes.
Choose two attributes from the list in section 4 of the rules page. You can choose any of them, except for ones that are at advanced or expert level, because you need the basic attributes first. Try to choose attributes that supplement low statistics or that enhance your specialities. Basic Warding is also recommended, especially for barbarians, because they receive a bonus.
Step 5: Get some equipment.
Go to the artifacts and items page and start buying your equipment. Every player has a budget of 1000g and you pay the actual price indicated. Remember that all weapons and torso armour can only be used if you have the skill for it. Things like rings, necklaces, gauntlets, helmets, belts and boots can be used without skill.
Also remember that things that enhance a certain skill have no effect if you don't have the skill connected to it. You can still buy them and equip them once you buy the skill. Your character will keep any gold that is left from the initial 1000, but shops on the map ask much higher prices than the actual worth of the item.
Step 6: Check over everything.
Look over the template again and see if you forgot anything. Is one statistic too low or too high, then try to work out something else. Do my Magic Skills have decent spells (check the spells page)? Do I have the skills for all items that I am using?
Step 7: Have a little patience and enjoy the game.
We will be starting as soon as all expected players have signed up and we have enough of them. I have been preparing the opening stories already.