Information that your players will need to create their characters
Your adventures will take place in a wider world where events are always moving and the clock is always ticking. If you find 3 plot hooks, the plots that you don’t follow will progress over time, and the evil doers could achieve their plans because you haven’t stopped them. This will, of course, lead to new possible adventures, but don’t always assume an adventure you skipped will still be there waiting for you when you decide to pursue it.
Don't feel like you have to do everything though. I will often throw out plot hooks to see what most interest the players. In general you may feel the world is much larger than your characters early on, but I promise I do this entirely for a sense of progression. By mid tier levels you will all feel like you have a more significant impact on the world.
You're free to make most types of characters using any of the main D&D books. With that being said there are some races/classes that are more common to the setting so what you play will have a significant impact on how certain NPC's view your characters.
Important: Below shows the spread of what's common and not common. My preference is for you all to play common or uncommon races.Banned Races: Aasimar
Common races to Fódlan: Dwarf, Half-Elf, Human, Tiefling, Wood Elf
Uncommon Races: Dragonborn, Elf, Gnome, Halfling, Orc (use either half-orc, or eberron orc stats), Satyr, Genasi, Bugbear, Firbolg, Goblinoids, Lizardfolk
Virtually Nonexistent Races: Goliath, Tabaxi, Triton, Yuan-ti, Tortle, Warforged, Shifters, Gith, Centaur, Loxodon, Drow, Minotaur
Common Classes: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Wizard
Uncommon Classes: Artificer, Druid, Warlock, Blood Hunter
Mostly Nonexistent: Gunslinger