===== Quickstart =====

This is a guide to discovering the Axe and Sickle, including what a new player should read. We recommend you go through this entire guide as soon as possible.

==== Setting and World ====

  * Read  [[:start|Summary of the Roll of Ages]]
      * Read the paragraphs, do not click on the links— they're the same as on this page, but ordered for experienced players.
  * Read  [[:world_lore:s1:nations_and_cultures|Nations and Cultures]]
      * For backstory purposes.
  * Consider reading  [[:organizations:list_of_player_organizations_in_barrow_s_maw|Player Organizations]]
      * You may be interested in joining these early into the server.
      * Being a member of an organization, especially a martial organization, grants very good benefits.
      * Organizations operate according to the Organization Rules.

==== Character Creation ====

We recommend you read the entire [[:rules:house-rules|House Rules]] document. However, because this is a daunting task, certain key sections are linked here.

=== Introduction ===

  *  [[:rules:house-rules#tone_and_theme|Tone and Theme]]
      * The best introduction to the server.
  *  [[:rules:house-rules#books|Allowed Resources]]
      * Very important when understanding what characters you can create.
      * We recommend you don't use a +1 on your first character unless you are an experienced 3.5 player, because it lengthens the character creation process.

=== Major Houserules ===

  * Feats are gained at every odd level (1, 3, 5, 7, 9).
  * Up to one flaw per character (Not all flaws are allowed, see the Houserules for the list.)
  * One free Minor Feat per character (A feat with a small bonus, mostly for RP).
  * [[:rules:house-rules#fractional_base_bonuses|Fractional Base Attack and Save Bonuses]] and [[:rules:house-rules#multiclass_saving_throws|Multiclass Saving Throws]].

=== Nerfed and Restricted Tactics ===

Read the list before finalizing a character concept, and read the exact restrictions in the Houserules if you want to use one of these tactics.

  * Animal Companions (lightly)
  * Crafting Magic Items
  * Entangle
  * Grease
  * Metamagic Cost Reduction
  * Polymorphing
  * Summoning
  * Turning Attempts
  * Wild Shape

=== Disallowed Options ===

The following options from always-allowed books are NOT available:

  * Races in Expanded Psionics Handbook, except Half-Giant, Elan, and Blue.
  * The Gray Elf and Sun Elf Races.((There are +1 LA variants for this sever.))
  * Leadership feat.
  * Thrallherd class.