Apologies, I don't have a job that allows for time to read these while there. The custom origin rule is another I wouldn't allow. I prefer using the default racial stats of the base game and general races as well as the more general 'expansions' i don't really know how to explain it better but long story short is I don't like a lot of some of the newer options.

In the case of the tabaxi, it would be whatever the normal would be, which I believe you are correct in 2dex/1chr.

In regards to alert, I would have allowed it since having a higher initiative is only tertiarily related.

Allright, I've made my decision. It was a hard toss up between four.

I look for some very specific things when recruiting players. I won't go into too much specifics as that may lead people to tailor their characters if i need to do this again in the future!

but some bullet points:

*I always try to keep variety in the party. So I try to keep multiple classes, but if i DO double up the will have different backgrounds overall.
EG - One rogue was orphaned at birth™ and had no choice as an urching,  meanwhile the other one chose it despite an otherwise lavish life. Just as a simple example.

*I always try to find characters who will challenge the other characters in some way, wheteher its ideologically, or in some other way, as I feel this brings out the most in characters when the entire party isn't a hivemind.

As well as other factors.

Regardless, as stated above, recruitment is over.

To those not chosen, Better luck next time, and I mean it. It's hard to find games sometime as there's 100 players it seems for every one DM. (All the more reason for you to dip your toes as a DM! you dont need to pay Wizards to be a good DM, just take a campaign you have and play it. It's more fun than you expect.

Also don't be afraid to assert what you want, like I did here. You cant get the answer to a question you don't ask, and I feel the same applies to this. You want a campaign similar to this, don't be afraid to post as a solo player or even grab one of the other players here, get together AS players and seek a dm! (that's how I found mine!) Just be clear about what you want, and expect. And to be clear, when I posted for that DM, i got not ONE but TWO applicants to be the DM!

I will be sending the invite out to the chosen in just a minute.