2nd concept
Here is my second possible concept, in basic form only as I don't have much computer time tonight. I'll try to post a more fleshed-out version tomorrow.
Name: Fox (if he has any other name, no one in the group has ever heard it)
Race/gender: Halfling male
Class/level: Rogue 2/Ranger 3 (advancing roughly even in both, Rogue 3 next), would be interested in the Horizon Walker PrC from the DMG, but not for a few levels.
Role: outdoors specialist/missile support
Description: Fox is a youngish-looking halfling, rather average in both build and looks. He has red hair, which he keeps trimmed very short and hides under a plain knitted wool cap, and his eyes are a lively green, the only thing about him which can be described as 'sparkling'. He dresses in deliberately nondescript clothing, close-fitted forester's garb in drab greens, browns, and greys. Even his weapons and shield are deliberately darkened, to avoid any hint of shine. He rarely goes anywhere without his bow and a full quiver of arrows. When on the trail, he rides an equally nondescript riding dog, with afew extra quivers strapped above the saddlebags.
Background: Fox was born and raised in an isolated halfling village in Elsir Vale. His father was a hunter, and Fox grew up spending nearly all of his time in the woods, either with his father or on his own. When he was but a youth, the village endured a lengthy series of goblin raids- while most of the villagers survived, the ordeal was draining and traumatic, and many of the villagers moved away from the area to a safer locale. The few remaining folk, including Fox, moved into a human village nearby, and became part of the community.
Fired by wanderlust and a love of the outdoors, Fox joined the military detachment of the local lord. After several years as a scout, Fox 'retired' to the life of a mercenary- a few boring stints as a caravan guard quickly inspired him to try the trade of 'freelance adventurer', and he has been quite successful in that line of work.
Personality: Fox is a halfling of few words- he may go through whole days communicating in single words and gestures. He genuinely enjoys being outdoors, and he hates goblins, orcs, and other creatures which seem to exist to despoil and destroy. He is also quite proud of his skills, and enjoys testing his abilities, both against his friends and against his enemies... He has little interest in arcane or scholarly matters- he prefers physical experience to 'book-learning'.
Crunch details:
Halfling male
Rogue 2/Ranger 3 (5 total)
XP: 10000; Next: Rogue 3 (6 total)
Alignment: NG
Languages: Common, halfling, elf, goblin, draconic
HP: 28 (6+4.5+3.5+4.5+4.5, +5 CON)
AC: 20 (22 with shield); Armor +5, DEX +4, Size +1, (shield +2)
Initiative: +4 (DEX +4)
BAB: +4 (melee +6/missile +9/Grapple +1)
+5/FORT: base +0+3, CON +1, racial +1
+11/REF: base +3+3, DEX +4, racial +1
+4/WILL: base +0+1, WIS +2, racial +1
STR: 12 (+1); 6 points, -2 racial
DEX: 18 (+4); 8 points, +2 racial, +1 at level 4
CON: 12 (+1); 4 points
INT: 14 (+2); 6 points
WIS: 14 (+2); 6 points
CHA: 10 (+0); 2 points
Feats:
Point blank shot (1st level)
Precise shot (3 level)
Track (ranger 1 bonus)
Rapid shot (ranger 2 bonus- archery style)
Endurance (ranger 3 bonus)
NEXT: Improved initiative (at level 6)
Skills:
+6/Balance/ 2 ranks
+5/Climb/ 2 ranks
+6/Disable device/ 2 ranks
+2/Handle animal/ 2 ranks
+16/Hide: 8 ranks +4 DEX +4 size
+5/Jump/ 2 ranks
+3/Knowledge- dungeoneering/ 1 rank
+5/Knowledge- geography/ 3 ranks
+9/Knowledge- nature/ 5 ranks (4pts +2 cc), +2 INT, +2 synergy
+12/Listen/ 8 ranks, +2 WIS, +2 racial
+14/Move silently/ 8 ranks, +4 DEX, +2 racial
+8/Open locks/ 2 ranks, +4 DEX, +2 tools
+4/Profession- military scout/ 2 ranks, +2 WIS
+7/Ride/ 3 ranks (2 pts +2 cc), +4 DEX
+10/Search/ 8 ranks, +2 INT
+3/Sense motive/ 1 rank, +2 WIS
(+1)/Speak language/ 1 rank (2 pts cc), +n/a
+10/Spot/ 8 ranks +2 WIS
+10/Survival/ 8 ranks (6 pts +4 pts cc), +2 WIS (+@ to find tracks, +2 in aboveground natural settings
(+3)/Swim/ 2 ranks, +1 STR (-encumbrance penalties)
+6/Tumble/ 2ranks, +4 DEX
Possessions
+1 mithril shirt (2100 gp)
Ring of sustenance (2500 gp)
Boots of the winterlands (2500 gp)
Potion of CLW (x4; 200 gp, CL 1)
Short composite bow (small, +1 STR, 150 gp)
MW scimitar (small, 315 gp)
Darkwood shield (heavy, small, 257 gp)
Riding dog with tack and saddlebags (166 gp)
Arrows (x80; 4 gp)
Arrows (cold iron, x20; 2 gp)
Arrows (silver, x20; 42 gp)
Daggers (cold iron, x2; 8 gp)
MW thieves tools (100 gp)
Everburning torch (110 gp)
Basic idea: Formerly a professional military scout, "retired" to adventuring. Skilled tracker and recon specialist, sniper/archer. Uses a riding dog for travel, but fights and does most scouting on foot. Would work well with an urban/social/melee type rogue, if we end up with a six person group.