Out of curiosity, is there any particular city or premise that the party is getting together for? It'd help a bit with preparing backgrounds and character concepts.
As for character concepts, it depends on where the story takes place. I'm considering an Aasimar maestro bard connected to the Radiant Idols if it's in Sharn, a Valenar Elf tank build with a mount if more outdoors, or perhaps a House Medani excoriate who communicates with the dead to investigate crimes.