Although it has been years since I 'used' the system I am currently rediscovering it. What system? Basic RolePlaying. I am currently reading the BRP Core (Golden) Rulebook as well as the Call of Cthulhu 6ed Rulebook (also BRP). Years past I ran a few Stormbringer games and a few ElfQuest games, both of which use the BRP system. I like this system because it is rules light (for the most part) and the rules tend to fade to the background with the story. But the thing that got me is that it is a universal system and it is no where near as complex as GURPS. It has been used as the core system for RuneQuest, Call of Cthulhu, Stormbringer (and Elric), ElfQuest, Pendragon, SuperWorld, and I am sure I am missing one or two.
All the rules you need are in one book. They basically took the core rules and refined them, then added options to make the game you want. Running a dungeon crawl? Most likely wont need to worry about Sanity. Running a modern monster hunter type game? Well then, sanity may come into it.
There are no arbitrary levels or experience. Huh? No what? D&D has levels that tells what your character can and cant do. GURPS, WoD, Shadowrun all have XP points that you spend to advance your character. In BRP, characters advance by
using their skills. If a character uses a skill in a meaningful way and succeeds with the roll the GM has the player check a box next to the skill. At the end of the adventure the GM calls for skill advancement rolls. You roll your percentile against your skill, if you roll over your skill you get to add 1d10 points to your skill. If you roll under your skill you did not learn enough from the experience to advance from it.
Task resolution is simple, you have a 57% swim skill so you have a 57% chance to swim across a river so you roll percentile. If you roll under 57 you make it across with out any problems. If you fail? Well, that depends on the GM you can drown or the river carries you further down than what you wanted, right into the waiting arms of the bandits or what have you.
Now the downside (for a D&D type gamer). This system is designed and has been used for gritty type gaming. It is possible to one shot a character 5 minutes after you roll it up. But, there are optional rules during character creation that will toughen up your character so it is a little more D&Dish. Hit points are typically an average between your CON and SIZ which for a human would range between 3 and 21. The optional rule (which I would use in a dungeon crawl type campaign) is to add the two together instead of averaging the two.
Just a couple of things that pop into my head about this system. If you are interested in checking out the system I would recommend first reading the rule set as it pertains to a particular game. So, read the Call of Cthulhu rule book or the CoC quick start guide first, then read the BRP Core book. The core book does give examples but, at least for me, it is easier to read a rule set as it pertains to a particular setting.
Anyway, just some of my rambling thoughts that may or may not pertain to the original question.
K
EDIT: I think this may be the longest post I have ever done.