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Its rules light simply because enjoyment of the game, by both the players and the DM takes precedence over any rules that detract from that enjoyment.

If ever the rules come between the characters and monsters played by either the players or the DM, and the enjoyment of the game, it is the rules that will leave, not the enjoyment.

I have a couple of house rules that are simple clarifications of the way most of those who play have played for a very long time. These are:

Spell DC changes

I use a well established and well tested change to the Spell DC of spells with a DC to save against effects etc.
This has been tested thoroughly for quite a few years, and is less broken than the standard rules.

Instead of the (10+CasterStatBonus+SpellLevel) that the book dictates, I use:
(10+CasterStatBonus+MaxCastableSpellLevel).

That is 10, plus CasterStatBonus, plus the maximum level of spell the caster can currently cast. Not just the level of the spell being cast.

What this means is that where a low level spell has a save DC the spell use gets better as the caster gets better.
With the standard rules this simply does not happen.

Critical Hits.

A Natural 20 roll is a critical hit. There is no one needs to confirm critical hits when a 20 is rolled on the D20.
However, since three natural 20s in a row is deemed "instakill" by most, a player who is confident enough may claim the right to attempt the 1:800000 possibility by declaring the attempt, and rolling two more D20s.

If an increased critical range means that a 19 is critical threat, that must be confirmed by re-rolling a hit. As must any other apparently critical hit.

There will be nights when no one rolls a single D20. Roleplay is paramount. Sometimes that does not require dice rolls.

The setting is similar in feel to the Forgotten Realms setting; but it is NOT set in Faerûn, not even on Abeir-Toril. The setting has its own geography and history. It does not follow the geography or history of Toril. It may help you to believe that Armagada is to Faerûn as Suul is to Toril. Armagada is a large continent on the world called Suul. It is not the only continent on Suul.

I am more than happy to have you on board as a player, just so long as you come into the game on the understanding that I do not follow 3.5 rules like a slave. Armagada first existed under 2nd Edition rules, and some of its concepts date back that far. Some of those concepts may have to be taken at face value without attempting to find underlying 3.5 rules.

Len

So if I were to notice a rule infraction, what would you want me to do? I’ll just say in advance that I’d gleefully fetch any rule from the PHB with lightning speed, if you’d so much as desire it.

Could I have a list of who else is playing and what classes are taken? Can I save game time by making a character now (and if so, by what method)?

And it’s been over a year since I’ve been to your house, a little help finding it might be nice (and would save some random encounters).

If someone "breaks a rule" and no one else noticed, I would ask you to use judgement. Would pointing it out interfere with the game in a negative way? If so, then again use your judgement and ask yourself if it is worth risking the entire game for one rules 'infraction' that no one else noticed?

If it will not impact negatively on the game, then by all means mention it.

Race
Your choices are pretty limited. Due to the nature of who is playing what already, you will need to choose Gnome as your race. That give you a choice of Gnome, or Gnome.

Class
This is only slightly more flexible. We currently have a male Halfling Barbarian, a female Halfling arcane caster, and a male gnome rogueish character. What is missing is cleric and to some extent ranger. The Barbarian has some of the rangeriness covered, but not all. So healing ability and dealing with things that have already died once come fairly high on the list of pertinent skills. However, it appears that due to the existing circumstances, whereby the expedition's expenses are covered, it will be possible to hire a PA. Whether this potential PA is a cleric or a ranger is the parties choice, which will be swayed by your choice no doubt.

Finding my house
Is a matter of following the map link provided on the calendar. It is accurate enough in satellite mode to point to the right house, just not the right room.

You can make a character beforehand if you like, use (D6x4 drop 1D6) for each stat., and make your character one who reached level three just this very minute. Use PHB only for extra bits unless you OK each splat-book you use and each entry from that splat-book individually beforehand. If you choose gnome cleric, you might find additional items are gifted from a source known to the rest. If not, the NPC cleric might get them, but he won't tell you what he has.

Your backstory will have to fit in with the existing world, so I would like to 'vet' it before you finalise it.

Len

Well, not wanting to be left out of this big joke, I’ll almost definitely take levels in cleric. What deities are we dealing with here? I’m eyeing up the practicalities of a cleric/bard, so a goddess of theatre is what he’d be looking for, or if you’ve already got a particularly gnomish god in mind for me I might be able to go more mainstream.

3rd level already, after only 4 games? Someone’s been working fast. How much goodies should I start with?

What’s the general alignment of the party, I don’t want to rock the boat.

No evil.
Cleric/Bard would be OK, The last cleric, and the big temple in town is St Cuthbert. But that is not anything that should restrict you. The "benefactor" is not exactly fussy about specific gods. Unless you want to worship one of the Rare Armagada Pantheon.

That would put you worshipping the Lawful Neutral Lady Maia. Her symbol is a butterfly, or alternatively a fan held to the face. When She is represented, she is always shown with her face covered by a fan. However all flying insects that do not sting or bite are said to be hers too. Hence the Butterfly symbol. According to her worshippers She is also the creator of the fishes of the rivers and lakes, and of many birds, especially the ones that fly swiftly, or sign heartily. Performers and Actors are known to worship Maia, because she appears how she wishes, and moves swiftly, and made the birds that sing & have fine plumage. (To quote from the as yet unpublished Campaign setting.)

Players do not get awarded XP. When a significant milestone is past, the party will get to level up. The party have so far dealt with some pretty interesting events and successfully dealt with some things that could have wiped out the whole party easily. All of which only sets the stage for the main mission.

Len

The problem with worshiping Lady Maia (as lovely as she is and all) is that I’d have to be lawful, which clashes with the bards nonlawful requirements and my mad character concept.

A pantheon might be really useful if you’ve got one in my (metaphorical) size. If you’ve got a large> amount of info on your divinities typed up already, I’d love to take a peek. Or I might throw gods to the wind and be one of those idealist clerics who devote themself to a (godless) cause.

As I’m looking at a pretty extensive list of mundane items, to know how much gold I’ve got before the game would prevent immense heartache.

A cleric does NOT have to be the same alignment as the god they worship. The alignment of the Armagada Pantheon deities dictates their 'place at the table', and their attitude to the other known deities they work with. Not the alignment of their worshippers. It is complex; for example, Corellon (The usual Elven deity) works for both Lady Seline and Lord Orpal, but not Lady Maia, Yet Elves "in the know" would worship Overlord Sylmar, not Corellon.

A Chaotic Neutral cleric can worship a lawful neutral deity. Especially one whose symbol is used as the epitome of chaotic behaviour. (A butterfly flapping its wings ...Etc.)
The whole pantheon is not written up fully, but to reveal all that is would reveal too much. Too much of what is written concerns things you do not know. Many small rogues worship the Lady Maia; She certainly does not require lawfulness in her worshippers, but evil is forbidden.

Len