Character Creation

Weapon Proficiencies; Each character class may only have a certain number of "Weapons of Proficiency" at first level. All classes gain additional proficiencies at regular intervals. The weapon proficiencies for each specific class are described in the rules entry pertaining to that class. The Weapon of Proficiency must be an individual weapon type (e.g. "Longsword" rather than "Sword"). If a character is fighting with a weapon with which he or she is not proficient, the Non-Proficiency Penalty is applied to his or her rolls "to hit".

The penalty to hit for non-proficiency is also detailed in the class descriptions.

Your available languages are dictated by your race (or human subculture). You may pick any bonus languages due to high Intelligence. For Arden Vul "Mithric" would be a good choice.

You can think of Archontean as "Common". It is the universal language in the world of Arden Vul. So your 12 INT give you three additional languages over and above Archontean and Thorcin

You might want to hold off picking any additional languages until we've done pre-adventure rumours ... these might give you some clues as to what will be useful in Arden Vul.

Elven and dwarven are languages.

A good question indeed, and one that apparently generated much debate over at dragonsfoot.org when I went searching just now. The jury seems split, but we'll go with:

1. Initial number of proficiencies based on best class (i.e. fighter).
2. Further proficiencies gained as the character's levels advance in each class (not just the best one). This is based on the logic that you're "paying" experience for levelling both classes, so you should get the benefit of both.
3. Proficiencies selected must abide by the weapon restrictions of the levelling class. So, for example, when the thief class gains a weapon proficiency it can't be used for a non-thief weapon.

Seem fair?

(You do realise that, in all probability, this is entirely academic!)