“But I say: let a ploughman plough, but choose
an otter for swimming, and for running light
over grass and leaf or over snow – an Elf.”
Virtues are special gifts and talents, usually associated with a particular culture. All members of a Mannish culture start with a single virtue: Choose one from the list related to your character's culture, or from the list of Open Virtues, which are available to every culture. Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits do not receive a starting Virtue.
All Player-heroes may chose to gain a virtue instead of improving their ability scores at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 19th levels