One of the few quibbles I have with TOR is the restriction of really interesting Rewards and Virtues to cultures. Rewards especially seems like a strange choice to me.

If we save the life of Bard's favorite guard or somesuch, or stop a conflict between the elves and the beornings by revealing the person trying to make it happen, why shouldn't we get a Barding related Reward, or appropriate culture here? The Elves of Rivendell certainly don't restrict their gifts to elves in the books.


But I do like having some options to further reinforce a character's ties to his culture.

So, while I probably will allow certain cross culture virtue and reward choices, if it fits the story/character, I'd also like to introduce options based on backgound, calling and simpler things like fighting style.


Examples:

Warden:

Horn of Valour. Heartens allies. Used with a song or inspire check during battle, increase endurance gained by one per success step. And/or allies (and the blower) get an increase to damage on the next round of combat on a great success? Something along those lines.

Fighting style virtue:

parrying weapon: You can use a shortsword or dagger in your offhand to gain a +1 bonus to your parry rate. If an enemy attack shows a Gandalf Rune on feat die, your next attack against them also disarms them, if you get at least one 6 on a success die. maybe too complicated, but something like that.


Those two are just the first two ideas that pop into my head, no polish yet.


Oh, also, maps as rewards. Available only after completing a quest for someone in the region for which the map is made. Each time the company's scout makes an explore check in that region, or a single party member makes a hunting check, they may roll one success die twice, keeping the better result. Thought about some benefit to travel checks, but that seems a bit powerful.