I quite like the idea behind the trait system... or what I assume the idea was. In most RPGs I have a hard time rationalizing points into social skills. Sure they are fun for role playing purposes and can unlock more storyline and help flesh out your character but computer rpg always come down to combat. If you can not kill the next pack of mobs in your way your can not advance no matter how sexy your character happens to be. With the trait system it lets you raise social skills in a more secondary manner without hindering more combat useful skills and all the while you are able to flesh out your character.
I think the system should mostly stick to social skills because while I completely accept that my characters 'reason' would improve because he feels jumping off a cliff because a statue told you to do so is stupid I have a hard time with the idea I get better at 'water magic' because I stopped someone from stealing a fish.
