D20 so as to have a level prbability curve
I see. A d20-roll version of my idea, then, would be a lot like what I've heard about C&C. maybe:
Unskilled: -6 to the effective attribute
Journeyman: -3 to the affected attribute
Master: No penalty.
Actually, -4 and -8 might be better, but maybe a bit hard for heroic characters . . .
Perhaps, then we give starting characters one trade skill (just like in AD&D) and add either Master status or a new trade at, say, 4th, 7th and 10th level (I'd keep this low level). I like the fact that a Name level character might be a master of the trade of his or her youth and one learned later during adventuring, or four different, lightly known fields.
If we fold seneschal/marshal skills and sage fields into it, it covers a nice group of abilities that still don't detract from the role of character classes. Come to think of it, this is a nice way of adjudicating sages as M-Us whose "trades" are all sage fields.
You might want to check out Castle Zagyg, Yggsburgh, when it's released. I have a skills system in there to make things more interesting for character class individuals, both PCs and NPCs. It is very general and without a lot of rules and cases, more guidlines for the Gm than anything else.
I might just do that . . .
I'm also interested in the idea of using hit dice for checks (kind of like you did when you talked about orcs grappling a PC). I wonder what else I could apply that to? Lots of good ideas there.
Most applicable to conflict situation resolution, I should think...
Indeed! A straight case of the highest roll is good for multiple grapplers and such. I'm also thinking that it might be a good contest to roll for unarmed striking as well. Perhaps we can then ever let unarmed attacks do normal damage since they have this extra burden -- though the damage roll might only be 1d3 or 1d4.
Example: A 1st level fighter punches a 1HD orc. They roll their opposed hit dice, so there's a fairly even chance that the blows delivered this round will be ineffective. Against a 4 HD orge, it's almost impossible -- the shots just bouce off its blubbery hide!
A Hero's unarmed shots have a 50/50 chance against the ogre, but at 4th level this warrior can reliably thrash goblins with his bare hands. And of course, punching or kicking a dragon is out of the question.
Of course, a monk doesn't have this burden; his attacks work like normal weapons. Might have to power him down a bit, though.
It strikes me as a nice alternate system for turning undead, too.
Thanks for the inspiration, Gary!