I'm looking to start playing TES 1, and I want to complete it without skipping any of its content. I know most of the dungeons, towns, land, etc. is procedurally generated, but I want to complete every part of the game that isn't, and experience the full range of content that is, if that makes any sense.

But I'd rather not spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get started. Or spend a long time reaching a high level only to find that my character build won't cut it for the later stages of the game. So I guess my first question is, what can I do during character creation to best ensure a smooth/easy playthrough? Is there an optimal race and class? Recommended starting skills?

Skills weren't implemented until Daggerfall. Instead, Arena used a more traditional Experience-based levelling system.

Be sure to bring PLENTY of healing potions, I bring 60 regular and 60 true heal in any of the Main Quest dungeons.

Look out for things enchanted with Light, that will help you in dungeons if you can get your hands on one.

Always carry an extra weapon. ALWAYS.

Carry a few potions of Resist Cold, Fire, Shock. etc. you never know when you might need it.

Those are a few things I'm doing to beat the main quest, and so far I have 5 Staff pieces. Good luck!

I've only been a warrior and here's two things that helped me:

Be a Redguard.

Get high Endurance and Strength.

If you don't want to worry about weapon degradation, play as a Knight. They get an auto-repair feature.

I know that different classes have different amount of exp required to level. I believe classes like Theives will level quickly where the more powerful classes level slower.

I personally playing Daggerfall first so sadly that all that I know but this site may be useful and planning to be my little guide for when I get started: http://www.svatopluk.com/arena/manual/

Read through and pick the best suitable race and class base on your playing style. Worry less about leveling and more about living, you can only level if you live and if you live then sooner or later you will level.

I was a Dark Elf warrior and did fine, race isn't a big deal.

If you're not a magic user, buy potions or get enchanted equipment for the following spells: Passwall, Fire Resistance, Cold Resistance, Levitation, and True Heal. Those are the most important spells you'll need and often mean the difference between success and failure.

Save a LOT.

Is there a compelling reason to pick Warrior over Knight? From looking at the manual, the only advantage I can see to Warrior is faster levelling and slightly more HP. I don't know how big a difference the HP makes, but slower levelling can be offset by XP grinding more, and I think that would be less annoying than having to constantly visit the blacksmith to get equipment repaired.