doctorbadwolf
Heretic of The Seventh Circle
13th Age is a d20 that came out a bit before 5e from lead designers of 3ed and 4e. It's skill system is very simple and very comprehensive.
Everyone gets 8 background points to split between a few backgrounds, none above +5. Backgrounds are encouraged to be descriptive. You aren't "Sailor +4", you're "First Mate on the pirate schooner Roll-yer-bones +4" or "Enlisted crew on HDM (His Draconic Magesty's) _Wavehammer_ +4". Or "Quartermaster on a succession of cargoships for the Concord Trading Company +4".
Then, it's all a does this fit? There's a great story I heard secondhand about a party trying to console a widow who's son had been killed. One of the characters was a "Captain from the Iron Wall" (sees giant monster attacks often) or something like that who said "Do you know how many letters I had to write to grieving families that their sons and daughters wouldn't be coming home? I know the words and the motions to settle the widow down." So the background was allowed.
YES, at a table where players are trying to game the system and a DM who won't talk to players if things are out-of-hand it cane lead to players trying to have their best background apply to everything. If you have players where a little honest communication wouldn't clear that up, then go for something more formalized.
But otherwise it's remarkable comprehensive while being ridiculously simple. With the added bonus of constantly fleshing out characters AND providing the DM hooks into your backstory. Just made of win.
This, absolutely.
I will straight up just ask for an ability check with proficiency if a background/backstory element applies to the task at hand. Obv I’d they have a relevant skill or tool prof, that works too, but I’m fine with rewarding players who call back to their background.