Gavindale: I just played my first game in Heroes of Might and Magic (the first game in the series), I tried a standard game with the first map. A couple questions - first, I started two games, and found that with both games, my character is chosen for me. The first character I was given was a magic user, and the second one appeared to be an elf. Is there a setting where I can choose my own character? Second, are the game map layouts the same each time I play any given map? Is there any random aspect to these game maps? Any help is appreciated!

ZFR: Yes, depending on the map, the starting character might either be pre-chosen or you might be allowed to select it.
Or you can play the campaign, where you select your character for the whole campaign.

The maps are not randomized. If I remember correctly, artifacts and monsters on the map may be randomized. But in general, the map is same.