So, you want to play utopia. Even if you have created a province already, it is important to read this area.
You are given the choice of Race, Personality, Province name and Ruler name.
Races:
Orcs: Heavy offensive race, who are often seen as a good choice. They are able to maintain large offensive due to their increased population and offensive elite. They are very poor at thievery and Magic, but they can achieve reasonable science. They have a happiness deficit of 1 level.
Dwarves: These are usually seen as an attacking race, and are particularly good during the start of the round. They have a faster birth rate, but their food consumption is heightened. They have good attacking bonuses, such as extra land gain. They can achieve reasonable science, magic and thievery.
Humans: Humans can choose from Thievery and attacking, but have penalties on their ability to cast spells. They are best used with a large compliment of science, and achieve this by usually running a high number of schools and/or libraries and/or universities. They are a very versatile race.
Elves: This is often considered as the "super-mage" race, as its spell casting ability is greatly heightened, and they have access to many spells. Another bonus is their ability to cast defensive spells on members of their kingdoms. They can also rack up a fairly high level of science, their military training also costs less gold coins.
Halflings: Halflings are the "Super-thief" race, and have access to many thievery operations, and bonuses. They also have a handy happiness bonus. Unfortunately, their elites are fairly poor, and as a result, an attacking Halfling is fairly difficult to achieve.
Faery: Often seen as a good combination for Thievery and Magic. They have bonuses to spell casting and thievery, and as a bonus, have access to all spells. Unfortunately, their economy suffers and often makes Faeries a difficult race to play.
Undead: This race is seen as an in-war attacker. This is because it receives various bonuses for attacking in war. They spread the plague to their enemies (a very dehabilitating disease). Their troops do not die when they attack another province, and they don't require any food. Unfortunately, they suffer heavy cuts on their science ability. Undead is another hard attacking race to play.
Avians: Avians are always attackers. They are able to convert Elites quickly in battle, and their attack times can be shortened, allowing for more attacks. They also get to ignore enemy forts. Although they can't use war horses, avian is a very good choice for an active player (signs on at least every 8 hours consistently) who is dedicated.
Personalities:
Shepherd: Generates extra food, and limits losses from attacks. This is a fairly solid and versatile personality. It also receives protection for honour, which can lead to various bonusses.
Sage: The sage receives various bonusses that lower the time of growth functions in your province. If you plan to be a fast growing province, then this is a good choice. It also is a good choice in the Battlefields server, as it receives bonuses against undead.
Mystic: This personality can fit well with all combinations, although it is best used by someone who wishes to be proficient in Magic. Its bonus is that guilds are twice as effective, so in a Supermage, this could save 20% land, a very substantial amount.
Rogue: This personality gives only Thievery bonuses, so only a thief should consider. For a thief though, it provides many great bonuses, such as acess to every thievery operation in the game.
The Merchant: This Personality is also fairly redundant. The income protections it receives are minimal, and its interest is useless.
The War Hero: The war hero gains bonuses in honor only, and if you are new to the game, then this personality is probably a bad idea, as honor is very hard to gain and maintain.
The Warrior: This personality is a sure way to save money, with lower military upkeep, and its use of cheap mercenaries. They can also use more mercenaries and in turn have a higher offense.
The General: The General is a personality that gives you some small bonuses in the conquest attack, but since other attacks are more effective anyway, it probably isn't the best choice. You also gain an extra general.
The Freak: This personality is a very risky choice. If you are a number cruncher, then this is the wrong choice. The Freak personality welcomes luck into its attacks, and attacking becomes a suspenseful choice. This personality is probably not a good choice for your first couple of ages.
A few common choices.
Halfing Rogue: Super Thief
Elven Mystic: Super Mage
Elven and Faery Rogue: Good combined Thief/Mage
Orc Warrior: Good attacker who can have large number of elites
Dwarf Shepherd: Shepherd to counter food consumption
Human Rogue: Fairly stable Attacker/Thief
Human Shepherd: Shepherd lowers decay on science
Human Warrior: a combination with plenty of money and potential offense.
Province and Ruler Name
When choosing your name, it probably isn't the best idea to choose names such as: Land of XXX or The City of ###, as this can often identify new players. You are much better of choosing a name that isn't medieval because although swirve wishes you to, you will stand out.
