Double Specialized

[Angelalex242]

I was specifically looking for things you can do with two specializations or two traits that apply.

Or more.

"The Lordly Fair Spoken Dunedain makes a Persuade check..."

He only needs one trait to claim an AP, so what else can he do with the other trait?

[Stormcrow]

Is that a munchkinly cologne I smell?

Be grateful you have traits; don't get greedy by trying to combine two at once.

[Angelalex242]

Well, Lordly and Fair Spoken are a legitimate choice of traits for some backgrounds.

So if those two traits are taken, there must be some way to double up on them, or taking that combination becomes pointless.

[Stormcrow]

You don't take a "combination" to try to get double value. You take two traits that accurately describe the character you want to play, and when either of those traits come up, you use them. Why would having both Lordly and Fair be pointless? Sometimes being Lordly is useful; sometimes being Fair is useful.

[Angelalex242]

I think you've missed the boat, sir.

Consider the following:

Name:

Culture: Elf of Mirkwood Standard of Living: Martial
Cultural blessing: Folk of the Dusk
Calling: Warden Shadow weakness: Lure of Power
Specialties: Elven-lore, Mirkwood-lore, Shadow-lore
Distinctive features: Fair-spoken, Lordly
Body: 6 Heart: 2 Wits: 6
Body (favoured): 7 Heart (favoured): 5 Wits (favoured): 8

-Common Skills-

• Awe: 2 Inspire: 3 Persuade: 3
• Athletics: 3 Travel: 1 Stealth: 2
• Awareness: 2 Insight: 0 Search: 0
• Explore: 0 Healing: 1 Hunting: 1
• Song: 2 Courtesy: 3 Riddle: 2
• Craft: 0 Battle: 2 Lore: 3

-Weapon Skills-

• Bow: 2
• Dagger: 1
• Sword: 1

-Rewards-:
-Virtues-: Wood-elf Magic
-Gear-

• Bow damage: 5 edge: 10 injury: 14 enc: 1
• Sword damage: 5 edge: 10 injury: 16 enc: 2
• Dagger damage: 3 edge: G injury: 12 enc: 0

Endurance: 24 Starting Endurance: 24 Fatigue from Encumbrance: 3 Fatigue from Travel: 0 Total Fatigue: 3
Hope: 10 Starting Hope: 10 Temporary Shadow: 0 Permanent Shadow: 0 Total Shadow: 0
Armour: 0 Headgear: 0
Parry: 6 Shield: 0
Damage: 0 Ranged: 0
Wisdom: 2 Valour: 1
Experience: 0 Total Experience: 0
Fellowship: 0 Advancement: 0 Treasure: 0 Standing: 0

What are this elf's traits designed to do? Fair Spoken (not the same thing as Fair) and Lordly obviously stack with his most frequently used common skills.

[Rich H]

He only needs one trait to claim an AP, so what else can he do with the other trait?

It doesn't do anything. Only one trait can/should be applied, that being the most applicable. Why do you feel the need that a second should apply?

[Rich H]

Is that a munchkinly cologne I smell?

Hmmm, I'm getting a lot of that from his posts; the profusion of MMO-speak in them doesn't help, either.

[Rich H]

What are this elf's traits designed to do? Fair Spoken (not the same thing as Fair) and Lordly obviously stack with his most frequently used common skills.

Why do they "obviously stack"? There's nothing in the rules that suggest they do.

Lordly
Your dignified bearing arouses feelings of reverence and respect in onlookers.

Fair-spoken
Your speech and manners are naturally pleasant and respectful.

... Seems like they are pretty complementary but I wouldn't say they are the same thing; when in doubt use the most applicable trait. That's how the rules work - if you can't see a difference between the two, or think there are potential redundancies, then don't design a character with both of them.

[Stormcrow]

What are this elf's traits designed to do?

They are there to define the elf as Lordly and Fair-spoken. What else are traits "designed to do"?

Fair Spoken (not the same thing as Fair) and Lordly obviously stack with his most frequently used common skills.

There's no "stacking." Traits may complement skills in obvious ways; these traits will probably be a source of advancement points in each adventuring phase. Traits may be used in non-obvious ways as well; they are not linked to specific skills.

[Rich H]

When I compiled the Guide to Trait Usage based on discussions here I finished it with the following which I think is pertinent to this debate:

A FINAL THOUGHT
The whole point of traits is that they give your character... character. If invoking a trait doesn't add to the story of your character, if it does not seem personalised to him specifically, then the invocation is a bad one.

Traits are not about succeeding at actions, they are an aid to narration!