In regular DnD, there are a plethora of character classes one can choose. You can also choose to have your character have more than one class ( such a character is said to be multi-classed).

Pre 3.0, such a character was limited to several categories of multi-class, and only non-human races could partake of that option. Humans could leave their original class, and take up another, but could never advance in their old class.

3.0 DnD changed this. You could simply add a class to your own, and any race could do so. Wanted to be a gnome paladin/bard/rogue? Sure! Or you could be a half-dragon druid/ranger/assassin...why not?

While these options allowed one to have more role-playing options, it also led to what many called Build Playing. Basically you looked at available classes, saw synergies between them, and made your character based on those to create as powerful a character as you could. Google Pen-Pen to see what I mean.

In Dragons and Dungeons, there are only 3 classes: Fighter, Magic-User and Rogue. Each character can choose to level up in one of those classes, but they can also level up in a Profession, or they can choose a Holy/Unholy level.

For example, Aeric the Paladin has the class Fighter, the Profession of Paladin, and he has also chosen to gain 3 Holy levels.

As a Fighter he has several class abilities, such as the ability to make a free attack after he kills an enemy. As a Paladin he has access to a number of skills, such as mounted combat. Finally, his holy levels make him powerful enough to heal himself or others through his laying of hands on them.

I believe my system will allow players a better way to sculpt their character, without locking them into a set of skills and abilities.

Some more examples: Peter the Priest is a Priest of the One God. He has a class of Magic-User, his profession is Priest, and he has 6 Holy levels. As a magic user, he has chose to specialize in healing spells. As a Priest he has access to scholarly skills and contacts in the church. His 6 Holy levels allow him to use the power of God against foul undead creatures, turned them away from his presence or even destroying them. He can also perform minor miracles, such as healing disease with his touch.

Penelope the Priestess is different from Peter. She has a class of Fighter, her profession is Priestess ( of the Goddess Athena), and she only has 3 levels of Holiness.

The main difference between her and Peter is she is a better fighter, and her only holy ability is protect herself from evil beings such as demons.

Finally, we have the Grey Mouser. He is a muliclassed character, having levels in all 3 classes! His profession is Thief, which means he has learned Thieves Cant ( watch any of the Ocean's movies for examples of this), and access to all types of skills such as lockpicking, sneaking, climbing etc. As a Rogue he has abilities that give him a bonus to stabbing someone in the back, and being able to take less damage from falling or even certain attacks. His Fighter levels make him good in combat, and while he only has a few levels of Magic-User, his few spells can give him an edge in a fight!