I did some searching and discovered that ranger tracking is dependent on spot, search, listen, and lore on this server (as well as level).

I am wondering if, as players, we are allowed to know more about how this works.

ie. are all the skills all just lumped together into one number?

or does spot let you find tracks, while lore lets you interpret them?

My character is based on trying to become a skilled tracker, but I avoided lore, as he is young, and I avoided search, as being able to detect traps didn't really fit. However, if not having skill points in these two abilities is greatly damaging to his ability to track I would like to know so I can make adjustments so as an overall character he is a skilled tracker.

If we are supposed to discover this ingame through experimentation or some other means, then please disregard answering this.

Thanks.

Another DM with another opinion may completely trump my little response, but we'll let that happen when it happens!

I would like to leave the experimentation on the tracking system up to people in game, rather than fully explaining the mechanics here. Tracking does indeed depend on the skills you mentioned, but it does not require you to be completely powerbuilt for tracking to be effective. I like that you've built your character thinking about him first and mechanics second, and hope that you'll continue to do that; but, just remember that a point or two in lore or search doesn't make or break a concept. :)