Main Story Character

[Neuflune]

I take it that the only way to see all three beginning parts of the story is with three separate characters? I am on the free trial right now and I am looking at getting the game, though I might wait for the xpac to come out.

Yes, only with three separate characters because the beginning of the main story depends on which City-state you pick, which in turn depends on your main class (marauder starts in Limsa, conjurer starts in Gridania, pugilist starts in Ul'dah, etc.)