I posted these ideas for another game (One you bowed out of in fact), but the GM is nowhere to be found at the moment, so I figure I'll offer them here.
Mel, Changling Rogue
Mel is anything but your typical elven noble. She has always been taught she was special. At a young age, Melphina Delena learned that she had an amazing ability to change shape. Nothing drastic, but she could change her shape to emulate just about anyone. She was taught that this was a special gift few elves had, and she should hide it from the world as much as possible. Her mother, Yolanda, loved her deeply, and would always call Melphina her “special little girl”. Melphina never understood why her mom always seemed to have a smile and a tear in her eye when she looked at Melphina.
Her father, Vielin Delena, had Melphina trained in the more subtle arts of the court. She was shown the social intrigue and backstabbing, both figurative and literally. Vielin had eyes on a seat of power, and saw Melphina as his opportunity. He spared no expense at Mel’s training and education, and Melphina took to everything eagerly.
Melphina was generally kept away from all but Vielin’s closest advisors. As she grew, she wondered why it happened so fast. Her father said that it was just part of her being different, and that it meant that she got to be an adult sooner. When Melphina was 16, she was finally brought out into the public’s eye. She was to say that she had been studying in Sharn for several decades and had recently returned to Valenar. Melphina reveled in the exercise to put her deceptive skills to work, and managed to keep her origins a secret.
Melphina, however, was too good of a student for her father’s good. She enjoyed sneaking around the castle, spying or impersonating staff. One day, she had actually snuck out of the keep, and she met a strange person whose race she couldn’t identify. So, after shadowing this person, she discovered it was a Changeling. She saw him change shape, much like she could, once or twice. She felt some sort of connection to this person, but she couldn’t place it.
So, she began to research Changelings and experimenting with herself. She was sure now, that she was not a special Elf, but a Changeling. She decided to not let on, and find out why her parents deceived her. She worked her way through the keep almost daily, trying to pick up bits and pieces of what was really going on. To be true to her changeling nature, she began to ask to be called Mel, as a term of endearment of course.
Soon, her “father” announced that she had been offered to a new Barron as a bride, and then all became clear. Vielin spoke to Mel, and mentioned that she should use the situation to gain power for her family. She could help this new Barron into an early grave, and take the Barony for herself and her family. She enjoyed the intrigue of the political world, but helping this “Family” she found revolting.
One day, Mel came upon her mother crying while she was disguised as one of her mother’s personal servants. She asked what was wrong, and Yolanda spoke that she knew what Vielin had planned for her daughter, and she didn’t approve. Mel was moved by her mom, and dropped her disguise. Much to her surprise, she took the natural changeling form, and not her usual elven form. Yolanda recognized Mel immediately and broke down, telling her how Vielin had killed the original Melphina, and had tricked Yolanda into conceiving Mel. Yolanda swore to love her daughter, but was scared to go against her husband.
Mel spoke with her mother about what Vielin had planned her to do. She spoke of how she had figured out that she was different and strove to learn about her true nature. Yolanda said to Mel “Don’t live your life with regrets. Run away now, you can find some place to go. You know who you really are, and you know how to disappear out there. I believe in you, and know that no matter what happens, your mother always loves you.”
So, under cover of darkness, Mel set out, in search of a new life, feeling for once, truly at peace with who she is. She still uses her “Melphina” persona most often, but she knows to keep a low profile, and has tried to develop several new ones.
Zan, Changling Wizard
Zan has always been proud of his changeling heritage, and usually openly walks around in his natural form. He feels that his changeling heritage shows that limits are what you perceive, and must be tested in every way.
Zan has naturally been attracted to magic, and found many interesting new limits to test with it. Since a young age, he has studied at Morgrave University. He learned diversity in specializing, and enjoyed testing his magical limits. He worked with stretching his magic, and using it ways well beyond those thought conventional.
However, studying has its limits, so Zan sought to move beyond those, and get out into the field. He started going on expeditions for the University, and examined several of the stranger places on Khorvaire. But, eventually, this wasn’t enough for Zan, so he set out to explore beyond the University, and test his limits.
------
Either would be fun. Mel has a bit more established background stuff, but Zan is sort of focused on testing his limits, so hasn't had a lot of time for an interesting life. I also wanted to leave the backgounds open ended to let the GM take the characters where he wants them (I like GM friendly background).
Both characters need some Races of Eberron stuff. Mel want's the Natural Linguist feat (Reqs 4 languages, you gain 1 bonus language per level, including when you select the feat) and maybe a few others eventualy, Zan wants to use some of the racial substitution levels, and eventualy take the recaster prestiege class.
I have other ideas, these are just the ones I have backgrounds written up for. Other ideas I could quickly write up:
Talenta Halfling Druid
Valenar Elven Warrior
Human Monk (I like some of the special Monk feats in Eberron)
Aerenal Cleric of the Undying Court.
I see we're starting at 1st, we going to be low level for a while, or get up to 4th or 5th fairly quickly? Just curious.