There is a chance that a character will start with exceptional items or cash depending on the character's circumstances. Listed below is the table for a character's starting social class (if not dictated by a kit) and the cash and possibility of special items dependant upon such. (Note: these tables were adapted from the Dusk online campaign setting.)

Social Rank Table:
                                                                Die Rolled on    Number of Rolls
2d6 roll   Social Rank         Birthright Table  Birthright Table
2 - 3      Lower Class              d6                  1
4 - 7      Lower Middle Class      d10                 d2
8 - 10     Upper Middle Class      d20                 d3
11 - 12    Upper Class           d20+d10               d4

Starting Wealth Table:
Class            Warriors        Wizards       Rogues
Lower            3d4 x 10gp     1d4 x 10gp    1d6 x 10gp
Lower Middle     5d4 x 10gp  (1d4+1) x 10gp   2d6 x 10gp
Upper Middle     7d4 x 10gp  (1d4+2) x 10gp   3d6 x 10gp
Upper            9d4 x 10gp  (1d4+3) x 10gp   4d6 x 10gp
Priests start with 3d6 x 10gp regardless of social class.

Birthright Table:

Roll:	Special Item or Effect:
1	Roll again using next highest die (d6 becomes a d10).
2	--
3	Bonus roll on starting wealth table.
4	--
5	--
6	Roll two more times, ignoring this entry on subsequent rolls.
7	--
8	Heirloom.  Roll on an art objects table.  Value of the object is 1d6 x 100 gp
9	--
10	Roll again using next highest die.
11	--
12	Small land plot (1d4 acres).
13	--
14	--
15	Valuable item appropriate to class (Charger steed for Cavaliers, Very Rare Spell for Wizards, etc. Item is non-magical.)
16	--
17	Bonus Roll on the Starting Wealth Table.
18	--
19	Roll two more times, ignoring this entry on subsequent rolls.
20	Roll Again using next highest die.
21	--
22	Bonus Roll on the Starting Wealth Table.
23	--
24	--
25	Art object which is worth 1d12 x 100 gold pieces.  It is an heirloom.
26	--
27	Weapon of Quality
28	--
29	Roll on starting wealth table is multiplied by 100 rather than 10
30	Magic Item (DM discretion.)

     Weapon and armor quality is discussed in the Complete Fighters Handbook. The rules for weapons and armor of quality are updated here.

Types of Metal
     Most weapons of quality gain their exceptional properties by superior smelting and forging techniques. Weapons described as fine in the CFHB most frequently fall into this category. Use of the Huntsman process (using special clays and black lead in the forging process) would be the historical equivalent of this.
     Using a similar process but exceptional alloys (such as Tungsten historically, or adding mithril or adamantite in the game) results in a stronger blade with a keener edge. Historically, Damascus steel was likely an example of this. Such weapons fit the description of exceptional weapons in the CFHB.
     The final evolution of non-magical weapons and armor has appeared in the Sword Isles. This is known as feathersteel (or occasionally, goldsteel.) It has a flat, lustrous coppery appearance and is actually an alloy of copper and beryllium. This process was historically possible in our world in medieval times. In the Sword Isles, it actually happened.

Weapons of Quality
     All weapons of quality forged by any of the above methods will usually receive a +1 on saves vs. normal or crushing blow (but not most other item saves.)
     Provided care is taken and one of the above methods is being used, a weapon of quality might result. The character must roll a proficiency check when attempting to make a weapon by the above method. Check the results of such a roll against the following table:
 

    Any weapon of quality has 3 different characteristics that may be enhanced by superior workmanship; the weapon's damage, attack roll, or speed may be influenced.
     With steel weapons using superior forging methods or alloys alone, no area may have more than a +1 bonus; the weapon may have a +1 bonus to attack, damage, and/or speed.
     Feathersteel is a special case. It has a very good tensile strength but is very light. Most slashing weapons will not be able to get the full benefit of the feahtersteel since the alloy must be mixed with steel to give it the proper weight. Medium type P weapons and size S slashing or piercing weapons can receive the full benefit listed. Other weapons (size M type S weapons and all size L weapons) are treated as "superior forging and alloy" on the chart AND such a weapon may not have a damage bonus, i.e., any bonus must be assigned to speed and/or attack bonus. Such are still treated as feathersteel weapons when facing a foe in feathersteel armor. All feathersteel weapons weigh 25% less than the listed base weight.
     In the case of feathersteel weapons, the bonus may be placed on attack, damage, or speed. Only one point may be applied to the weapon's speed or damage bonus, but up to +2 may be applied to the attack roll. The total still cannot exceed that acquired on the weapon of quality table. Armor of Quality
     Simple armor of quality is 25% lighter than the equivalent non-quality armor. Feathersteel armor is 50% lighter, plus receives a +1 AC bonus against non-quality or magical weapon of iron or worse. Costs
     Superior forged armor or weapons start at 150% of the base cost of the weapon and add an additional 50% if the weapon has a bonus. Superior forged and alloyed weapons start out at 200% of the basic cost and add an additional 75% per +1 that the weapon has in any category. Feathersteel weapons and armor start out at 500% of the normal weapon price and add 100% per plus of the weapon. These are suggested guidelines for the GM and can actually vary widely.