Ok, here's version 1.2. Very little changed this time, except the Int bonus skills. Thanks to a suggestion from someone on these forums, I decided to go with the Int bonus giving background skills (or languages) instead of giving additional bonuses to adventuring skills. Here's how it now works:
Intelligence Bonus for Skills – Highly intelligent characters have an easier time learning skills and languages. Characters may choose a number of languages or background skills equal to their Int bonus. Each point devoted to languages gives him 1 additional language. Each point devoted to Background Skills means he is Trained in a non-adventuring skill, related to his life before becoming an adventurer. Options include Knowledge skills, Professions, Crafts, Performs, hobbies, area knowledge, etc. No skill should significantly duplicate a standard adventuring skill (so no Arcana or History). But things like Law, Profession: Ratcatcher, Weaponsmith, Heraldry, Singing, Dancing, Farming, Sailing, Vintner, or Waterdeep Knowledge are all fine.
I think that this will provide some nice role-playing opportunities, create more well-rounded characters by encouraging thoughts about their non-adventuring life, help cover some of the skills removed in 4e, and occasionally be useful in certain situations. What do you think?