The city of Hawa on an island off the northwestern shore of Zakhara is ruled by a corsair council. (A "corsair" is a type of pirate.) You might play a character already on the council, or someone who dreams of being on the council, or someone who works against the council. We'll work out the details in the first session.

You'll use this character sheet: Search the Hills. Two pages. Don't worry if it looks complicated, we'll explain everything in there and help you. I'll print out a couple of copies so you don't have to bring anything.

• Hillfolk character sheet; we'll fill in that together during the first session
• Minimalist D&D character sheet
• D&D character sheet, official-style but with our modified skill list
• Official D&D character sheet (also has pregens — don't use "Dragonborn" or "Draconic sorcerer")
• We're starting at level 5.
• D&D basic rules — and I'll also give you a copy of Dungeonesque which is a 3rd party printing of the basic rules.
• Instead of AC, put in "Defense", which is AC - 12. E.g. if you have AC 15, put in +3.
• Backgrounds are optional; the Hillfolk stuff replaces a lot of that (but if you want both, go for it).
• Casters might find a slot grid a useful tool
• Equipment sheets that help you keep track of weight
• Henches, followers and shapeshifting forms

• See above re Defense, starting level, backgrounds, and Hillfolk sheet.
• Feats, variant human, multiclassing and unusual beings are ok, but no point-buy.
• And, no Dragonborn or Draconic bloodline
• UA Waternborne Adventures is OK
• Elemental Evil Player's Companion is OK. Aarakocra… need to be discussed. Something about flying speed? I didn't understand it. Talk with Micke E, he's my designated "build checker lieutenant".
• Forget what I said earlier about starting from a kit from 2e book, that's overkill
• Likewise, that old EN-world-thread, they never got done. But the first two posts, djinn patron and various background ideas, are good and usable!
• Including the "desert armor" house rule from them. If you're proficient with heavy armor and are not wearing armor, you get +1. This stacks with Mariner.
• All six of the "monstrous" beings from page 119-120 on Volo's guide are available (Bugbear, Goblin, Hobgoblin, Kobold, Orc, Yuan-Ti) are available as are Kenku and Lizardfolk from earlier in that book. Can probably be convinced to put in some of the others too. However, the rest of this book has some spoilers. Here's a (not completely legal) PDF that only has that chapter.