Bards... Gnomes... and Svirfnebli, all get 100% Lore!

Those are all great options for new players. (Especially Bards! They rock.) Gnomes and Svirfs also have good class options.

Also. Certain types of thieves get a great skill called "appraise" which can replace Lore, if you choose, and gives great information about items as well.

There are lots of ways around this little speed bump for a beginning player, you just gotta look.

Hope it helps.

"Then hunger proved more powerful than grief." - Count Ugolino and the Tower of Hunger