Concerning Hobbits

After having a second look at the Halfling race from PHB 1, we decided that it's not too suited for Hobbits: through the editions of D&D, Halflings have gone a long way to free themselves from their original Hobbit origin and be more in line with the D&D world, which would be a very good thing if we weren't discussing about using D&D for Middle-earth.

To be more in line with Tolkien's Hobbits, some changes are necessary: the ability score bonus should go to Wisdom instead of Charisma; the skill bonuses should be changed to include Stealth and possibly Insight instead of Thievery and Acrobatics; resistance to fear is also probably not too appropriate, so we tried to replace it with a bonus to attacks with thrown weapons (which is stronger, but won't break the game balance significantly)

So, here is the writeup of the Hobbit race

Hobbit

Ability scores: +2 Wisdom, +2 Dexterity
Size: Small
Speed: 6 squares.
Vision: Normal

Languages: Common (Westron); educated hobbits could also speak Quenya
Skill Bonuses: +2 Stealth, +2 Insight.
Hobbit's Aim: You gain a +1 to attack rolls with slings and light thrown weapons.
Nimble Reaction: You gain a +2 racial bonus to AC against opportunity attacks.
Second Chance: You can use second chance as an encounter power.

Dunadan

The Dunedain in our rule set are not a race; they're humans, who use their bonus feat to select Dunadan Blood at first level.

Dunadan Blood [Feat, Human]

Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus to your Charisma score, and can use power of the dunadan as a daily power
Special: This feat can be taken only at first level (using the bonus feat slot for humans).

Power of the Dunadan

Daily
Immediate interrupt – Personal
Effect: You can add your Charisma bonus to an attack roll, skill check, ability check or saving throw. You can choose to use this power after the roll is made, but before the result is announced.

The Noldo

The Noldor (singular Noldo), are the most powerful elves that can still be found in Middle-earth. They are strong-willed and smart, but often less wise than their cousins.

Ability Scores: +2 Intelligence, +4 Charisma
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light

Languages: Common, Quenya (High Elvish)
Skill Bonuses: +2 Perception, +2 Craft.
Noldo Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency with longsword and shortsword.
Might of the Firstborn: you can use might of the firstborn as an encounter power.

Might of the Firstborn [Noldo racial power]

Encounter
Immediate interrupt – Personal
Effect: You can add your Charisma bonus to an attack roll, skill check, ability check or saving throw. You can choose to use this power after the roll is made, but before the result is announced.

Light of the Blessed Realm [Noldo racial feat]

For those who have dwelt in the Blessed Realm live at once in both worlds, and against both the Seen and the Unseen they have great power [LotR I, "Many Meetings"]
You can use might of the firstborn one additional time per encounter.
In addition, you deal full damage to insubstantial monsters instead of half damage.

Pride of the Noldo [Noldo racial feat]

You gain a +5 bonus to your Will defense against fear effects, and a +2 bonus to Intimidate checks; in turn, you suffer a −2 penalty to Diplomacy checks to influence characters of level greater than yours.

Design notes: this race might be a bit unbalanced, but Noldor were clearly more powerful than the Elves, especially the silvan ones. This greater power should be mitigated by a story factor: the Noldor are a waning race, they have no future in Middle-earth.