Something I think has been neglected so far is introducing some New Specialties & Distinctive Features into TOR, given that Specialties are really just 'special skills' and DF's are just 'personality traits', I have written a quick shortlist but without descriptions at this stage as I am looking for feedback/discussion.

New Specialties

Acrobatics/Circus Performer/Jester/Musician
Acting/Dancing
Administration & Law
Alchemy
Archer/Marksman
Art (Painting etc.)
Astrology/Astronomy
Beekeeping (especially for Beornings)
Camouflage
Cartography/Geography
Disguise (could be lumped in with acting)
Fortune Teller/Foresighted
Gamester/Gambling
Geology & Mining
Heraldry
Historian/Scribe
Horse Archer (see below re riding)
Hypnosis
Interrogation/Torturer
Linguist (could be with historian)
Lip reading
Quick Draw
Riding (I notice previous treatment has made this a virtue, but in my view s/be a specialty)
Sea-craft (sailing etc.)
Strategy & tactics (military)
Teamster
Trapping (this is a specialised skill as distinct from Hunting in general)
Unarmed Combat (especially for the monks!)
Weather Watching

These are the ones I could think of at short notice

New Distinctive Features

Ambidextrous
City Dweller (means not used to rural)
Fell-Handed (like Helm the Hammerhand)
Flamboyant
Hidden Strength
Lucky (careful with this one as open to abuse)
Phobia (plenty to choose from!)
Rustic (not used to towns/cities)
Strong Willed
Tiresome (tough one to play in a Fellowship)
Tolerant
Weak-willed

Robin S.

I can see you put a lot of thought into these. Some are really good. Many however IMO simply water down the usefulness of others if you flood the market so to speak with too many to choose from - unless you increase the number enough to allow all characters to select one more.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to add negative Distinctive Features such Phobia or Weak Willed.


Some I simply fail to see game-relevance - such as Hypnosis, or Quick Draw. Unlike D20 games like D&D, it's not a "game action" to withdraw a weapon for instance.



I do believe several deserve a brief write-up and possible integration however.


I always felt a trait of "altruism" or "self-sacrificing" "Martyr" or something to that effect that depicts the person as a true genuine lifesaver of sorts.