Part of the difference there is noble vs adventurer. People might have greater tolerance for mercenaries who know their place than they do for those who try to be equals.
Playing a world with prejudice in it is necessary for certain character concepts.
As for Diplomacy and Intimidate, I'm in favor of keeping them split up. Generally when playing Good Cop/Bad Cop you have two separate people doing it, anyway. A wizard who wants to do similar effects is using two different schools of magic (shouldn't be, but is).
At medium ranks in the skills, you should be able to get abilities allowing you to Charm with Diplomacy and to cause actual Fear effects (probably even up to the spell's AoE of Frightened) with Intimidate. In combat time.
3.xth Edition: Skills
Moderator: Moderators