I should mention this about new characters... The two areas of interest right now are the community of Haywood, located within New Orleans, and the community of Outpost, located just outside of New Orleans. Your character can start anywhere around the New Orleans area and do their own thing if you want, just keep in mind these two locations are where the "main" plot will be largely happening.

Both locations are described briefly in the second post, if you wanted some idea about them.