Welcome to the boards, DinkumThinkum [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img] May your adventures in the Gael Serran be the stuff dragon parents tell their children at bedtime [img]smile.gif[/img]
The only trait I've found to have a real noticable impact is the elven quick learner. If there's an advantage to mana seed, I haven't noticed it (and I play Oomphaz almost all the time). The Gourkh bloodscent also works, but it seems to be equivalent to a level 1 or 2 Scouting skill.
As both Radek and bsftcs have said, any differences are only noticable for a short while at the beginning of the game. By the middle of the game, every character is quite formidable, and by the end, they are gods... [img]smile.gif[/img]
Have fun! And do come back to let us know how your game is progressing
