So I like lore in theory, it's a cool way to increase the breadth of your character's background, but as I was reading Lore I was waiting for the advantage over taking the appropriate knowledge skill, and then it shifted topic. So there is no mechanical advantage in taking Lore: Elven history over knowledge:history. This is really disappointing. I thought it would make you an expert in a narrow field, but no the question DC's are the same as for knowledges, so basically you just wasted skill points. What would have been the harm in say doubling the bonus granted by each rank, showing that you really are an expert in a narrow field?
You get 2 free skill ranks a level that must be spent on background skills. So it allows your character to know about one aspect of an overarching knowledge skill, without knowing everything in that skill. I've made a few characters where I thought to myself that I wish they knew about astronomy, without knowing about geography in general. That's what the system allows.
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Lore can also encompass many things in a given topic and thus cover more(skills) than you think.
Lore: Westcrown could be used to A, a check to know the names of nobility in the area. B, history of a building in Westcrown. C, City specfic law or custom. etc. etc.
At least that's how I read it.
Ah, Lemartes, that is actually a very good interpretation, thank you, I feel better now.