I was originally intending on playing With Fire and Sword, but given some of the reviews it's got I decided against it.
So:
Mount and Blade: Warband is the premier horse-based feudal system simulator currently on the market. A strategy game cum RPG, you generate a character and build an army, with the eventual objective of conquering the fractured factions that make up the former Empire of Calradia.
Along the way, you can trade, make savvy business investments, sell slaves, serve kings, rule over fiefs, and much, much more!
Character stats and equipment are decided by a short series of questions at the start of the game.
Starting with, we can play a male or female. This does actually make a gameplay difference: females have a harder early game, but it can be used to our advantage. I'm just not sure how yet.

So, what sort of character do people want, you can either just give a general idea which I'll do my best to fulfil within chargen, or you can use this page and table to create a fine tuned character.
We also need to decide where to start the game.
Basically, there are six factions all based on verious feudal nations.
The Kingdom of Swadia, based on a typical feudal European kingdom, known for it's devastating if expensive heavy cavalry.
The Kingdom of the Vaegirs, a Russian expy that uses powerful archers and a strong core of infantry to produce numerically strong armies.
The Khergit Kharnate, Mongols by any other name. Unsurprised, they make great use of horse archers and light cavalry, making them fast and effective in an open environment.
The Kingdom of the Nords, Vikings with throwing axes. Nordic troops are excellent on the attack and defense, but lack mobility. No access to cavalry.
The Kingdom of the Rhodoks, a mountain dwelling kingdom, with strong and stoic infantry that form excellent shieldwalls and crossbow lines. No access to cavalry.
The Sarranid Sultanate are a powerful if fragile desert-dwelling kingdom. Based on among others, the Turks, they have highly specialised light infantry and heavy cavalry.
If there's any game concept you don't understand, just ask.
I look forward to hearing from you all.