I'm considering trying around to create an FPS (First person shooter), using the Ogre 3D engine.

I have done the Basic Tutorials (except CEGUI), and have read through the Intermediate Tutorial, I understand some of the more advanced concepts, but I'm stuck with very simple concepts.

First of all: I would want to use some tiles (square ones, with relative little height) as the floor, I guess I need to set up a loop to get those tiles done. But how would I go about creating those tiles exactly? Like making it to be their own mesh, and then I would need to find some texture.

Secondly: I guess I can derive the camera and movement functions from the basic tutorial. But I'll be needing a "soldier" (anything does for now), what is the best way to create a moderately decent looking soldier? (Or obtain a decent one from an open library?)

And thirdly: How can I ensure that the soldier is actually walking on the ground, instead of mid air? Will raycasting into the ground + adjust position based on that, suffice?