Wow, why didn't I think of calling them "combat talents" before? I mean, some of the ideas for them came out of Star Wars SAGA where they're explicitly called "talents". Great idea - it solves all the issues with the wording.


BTW guys, what do you think of the following updated or new talents;

Advanced Martial Technique
Prerequisites: Fighter lvl 1 OR two combat talents
Effect: You gain a feat slot. For every 5 talents you possess, you gain another feat slot. You can fill in those slots with any combat feats you meet the prerequisites for. Filling an empty slot or changing the feat that fills it requires 15 minutes of sparring, practicing katas, martial meditation or other similar exercise requiring a calm, nonhostile environment.
Special: You can take this talent multiple times, gaining additional feat slots.

Endurance Conditioning
Prerequisites: three combat talents
Effect: Extensive conditioning has given you a significant increase in stamina, allowing you to employ martial techniques more often than normal. You gain a number of points per encounter equal to 1/4 your number of talents. Whenever you'd expend a use of a limited-use combat feat or martial class ability, you may expend one of these points instead. Examples of things this talent could be used on include the Stunning Fist feat, monk abilities like quivering palm or abundant step, barbarian rage, rogue talents like defensive roll and so on.
Special: You can take this talent multiple times, gaining additional points.

Recognized Authority
Prerequisites: three talents, character level 8th, nonchaotic alignment
Effect: You have a significant measure of authority through political means, noble station, powerful connections, favor exchanges and other non-monetary, non-magical assets that are recognized by authority figures even if your presence or station officially may not. Once per day per three talents you possess you may be granted the cooperation of lawful authorities. If the service required can be provided by individuals with total CR equal to or less than your own and with at most one encounter's worth of effort for each of them, the service is assumed to be paid by background interests and favor exchanges someone of your station employs. If the service required is more involved and long-lasting, you are expected to give equal services in return or sufficient payment.
Special: This talent is the ability to effectively use personal fame/power to get others to perform your bidding but does not confer magical control over others, forcing them to do things against their nature. It could get some guards to turn a blind eye as you escape from prison in exchange for background favors but not to risk their lives without significant reward. It could get an evil individual released from the paladins' custody through lawful pressure but not have the paladins actually do evil. The DM should give you services on par with what a temporary ally (magical or otherwise) could get you but beware of asking too much. Authority abused can be quickly broken.