[quote=@ManoftheNorth]
No, they aren't required. Honestly, I consider those skills something we will use in combat, but less of the: "Cast explicit named skill of awesomeness!" and more of the: "He does the thing, with the weapon, and it turns the color, in a descriptive move of cooli-flare!
[/quote]

Nice description there. XD

I'll pm you so we can talk history then, or would you rather wait until you've finished with your character as well?