[Branaddar]

Right now it's plain Vanilla, but they have plans to add Kunark and Velious later on down the road. But very slowly, so no rush. They won't be adding any more after that, as Luclin and beyond are when the game started to deviate from the original plans, for better or worse.

Far as race goes...

Dark Elves have good int and the best night vision, but are generally hated by other races. Not a huge deal, but you can't visit other cities.

Erudites have no night vision, but get high int, and are pretty neutral in their faction standings. I can't say for certain, but I believe they can waltz around most of the neutral/good cities.

Humans are just like Erudite, but with a little more "rounded" stats and the most neutral race around.

Gnomes and High Elves are decent choices as well. They get heat vision, a middle-level night vision mode.

All in all, starting race isn't a game-changing thing for the most part. There's not a lot of need to go to other races' cities anyway, and the rare occasions that you need to (like for epic quests when Kunark happens) there's some way to do it without getting whomped.

Generally, your home city is your base. It's just convenient if you're a good/neutral race to have more cities to head to for spells/vendoring off loot/banking after fighting somewhere far from your home town.