Welcome! The keys to this ruleset are as follows:
1) Flow of play
2) Depth without undue complexity
3) Modify for your group
Why is fun not first? Ever hear of mandatory fun? Fun being a rule is ridiculous. Fun takes care of itself when the above list is handled, the people genuinely want to be there, and the GM gets out of the way. Fun is best let in through the back door without you realizing it was there until the dust settles.
Modification is always on the table. Pun intended. Up front I need everyone, GM or player, reading this to know that nothing in this book is sacred or somehow "right." I believe that each group is its own version of tabletop roleplaying and should alter or discard rules that are tedious or unnecessary for them. Just because someone writes a book does not make them an authority. Hopefully you do not need it, but if you do and for what it's worth, you have my permission to make your own way in the world of tabletop gaming!
A Note on the Language: The word "player" refers to the human being controlling the character in the game. The word "character" refers to a player's character. Whenever the term NPC (non-Player Character) is used, it refers to neutral or enemy actors. The GM (Game Master) is the individual running the game.
The dice needed for this game are a d20, d4, d6.
d20: The d20 is the most imporant die and is used in all areas of the game. Attack Rolls, Saving Throws, Ability Checks- almost anything a character does is somehow accompanied by this die. It is also used to determine a percentage, with a "1" representing 0%-5% and "20" representing 95%-100%. It is recommended that you perform rituals on, speak with, and pamper your d20(s) so that when the time comes, they are there for you.
d4: d4's are used for Basic Work rolls, the Death Roll, the damage die used for improvised weapons or fisticuffs when the character is not trained in hand to hand combat, and 2d4 is used for element damage rolls.
d6: The d6 is the most common damage die and is used for all damage from normal weapons. Normal damage is determined using a "d3" roll. To accomplish this, roll a d6. 1-2 is 1, 3-4 is 2, 5-6 is 3.
This is simple: dice that are cocked (land in such a way that the result is ambiguous) or dropped on the floor are rerolled. No exceptions. Dropped dice don't count!