Advice for 2e character creation
HI y'all!
I am an experienced 5 and 5.5e player and dm, but I have not played ADND. I was recently invited to a game with a group that has played together for over a year, including my fiancé, his bestie (and the owner of the shop where we play), my very favorite 5e DM, and a couple who love the game. Everyone in the group has been welcoming and helpful. Their last campaign just ended, and they have played only two sessions in the new campaign.
The party is currently in trouble. They made a few mistakes and are presently webbed to trees in the forest, being attacked and poisoned by two giant spiders. My fiance is currently at -7 hp. I don't need to tell you how dire their situation is. This is where they left it. I am joining this week with my new character. I am told that they are all half-elves, but the local township only allows humans, with hard prejudices for non-human species.
I sat in on the last half of the session last week, so the dm will not consider this knowledge meta-gamey. I originally teased them all and told them that I was building a Lolth-sworn drow ranger, knowing that this would mean the game was about to end in a near TPK at my hand. I'm just messing with them, though. I would prefer to make a character who can come in and save the day, without focusing so much on this encounter that I cripple myself later in the campaign.
I am thinking of going human ranger, so that I can be the only party member able to go into the town and trade, with the ranger abilities, etc., for combat and skill checks in-game. I have been encouraged to consider an elf or half-elf for the travel bonuses if the entire party is of elven lineage, but I'm thinking the party needs a human more. I want her to be a bit of a hippy, lover of animals, anti-speciesism, and ready for adventure at a moment's notice. The stats I rolled for the character are fairly decent (12, 16, 16, 8, 12, 15), but my knowledge of stats is all 5e-based, and I could use some advice on how to distribute them best. Are there any proficiencies or equipment I should aim for?
Any suggestions or things I should consider as I crack the books and start making this character would be appreciated.