I am a fairly experienced 3.5 player (as well as various other systems
such as World of Darkness and Chthulu).
For my first character, I have made a cleric of Farlangh [
http://stonereach.wikidot.com/galiana-d-lyfelde ] who is a
professional explorer and cartographer. She is a part of a caravan
clan who's requirement for becoming an adult in the eyes of the elders
is to make a significant discovery or recover something valuable for
the clan - thus, she is adventuring with that goal in mind.
@DM - would it be possible to get Knowledge (Geography) as a class
skill instead of or in addition to Survival? It fits with the
character and would make classing in to Horizon Walker later soooo
much easier.