Talents?

[Ruvanal]

... they revamped the Skill system to make it so that one now uses skill points to boost one's attributes (at the cost of having fewer skill points available to learn trades) ...

But do note that there is actually an unlimited amount of skill points that can be earned. The skill points are awarded 1 per every 600 base experience of mobs that you kill prior to that experience being modified for the level difference or rest state exerience modifiers.

When helping one of the others in the beta with some quests, I had actually earned a couple of skill points even though I was getting zero experience due the level difference.

Also Mongo, note that the exerience system has changed in that even though I was earning zero experience, the other character was still earning experience as they they were partied with someone of level similar to their own. Having a high level in the party may not be as detrimental to the other players experience earning as it was in the beta 1 push.