Originally Posted by Niara
Thanks for continuing to fight the good fight ^.^

I'd like to highlight one that doesn't get enough attention, though most of what you're saying is sound....

I want to re-iterate the weapon slots issue. I absolutely want to be able to wield a shortsword and a hand crossbow, if I so choose, or a hand crossbow and a shield. The insufficiency of the current weapon slot system needs more attention, along with everything else.

I would second the caution about messing with mechanical bonuses; rather, I'd call for proper cover rules, which cause a degree of cover to be granted in high-ground situations that warrant it - that is, when targeting up at someone who is back a bit form the ledge, and half of their model is obscured from LoS as a result... that's half cover.

Similarly, rather than giving a bonus to back stab at all, I'd want to see the option to turn on Flanking, as the mechanic written in the optional rules, or to leave it off. This is, of course, dependant upon having a functioning reaction system as well, since the ability to use your reaction to negate a flank is INTEGRAL to flanking rules working at all.... but a functioning reaction system is essential anyway.

I'd also mention that the character creator does a great job of saying much and explaining little, in its current state. You can see that you have things, sometimes, but you don't really know why, or where they come from. It doesn't explain nearly any of the actually important aspects of character generation, and the lay-out is very poor, coming off as a sloppy, indistinct string of bits and pieces that just pile up one after another without any real definition or ordering. We also shouldn't be required to pick prepared spells in character generation... that's silly.

Rather than having non-origin companions replacing the mercenaries system, I'd really much more strongly prefer that they replaced the origin system itself. Let our companions be companions, full stop.

Definitely +1 to everything.

That would imho be the cleanest and best solutions to height/backstab situations/problems.

In another TTRPG called "Das Schwarze Auge" ("The Dark Eye") you even need 4 characters for flanking, because of the turn based nature of how most TTRPGs handle fights.
Backstabbing - in it's current implementation - is just plain ridiculous and mechanically broken.