Note from the DM: Below you will find the alterations I made to the base Serious Steel House Rules in order to move it to a more 3E footing.

All classes/races may multi-class. Alignment restrictions for classes will continue to be observed.

Initial Skills

Characters begin generation with 40 points to spend on skills and resources native to the modern world.

Characters may spend these points to buy standard skills from the PHB or other sources, but may not buy period skills (Use Magic Item, etc) that obvious would not relate to the mundane world. Items from the lists below are specific to the modern, mundane world. The number in brackets following the name is the cost in points to purchase. Points may also be spent to improve ranks in a known skill at a one to one ratio.

Some items are available which confer leveled, classed status. These indicate devoted study of the subject and are clearly indicated. Some skills also have prerequisites. If a character desires to take a skill that confers a class, the character must first meet the minimum stat requirement for that class.

Each also has a Difficulty Class number. This is the number that must be exceeded on a modified d20 in order to successfully use the skill. No roll is required for everyday use. Rolls are only required if an attempt is made to do something exceptional, such as Robin-Hood an arrow, regain control of a skidding car, or disarm an opponent. A high score in the indicated characteristic confers a bonus to the roll.

Class and Cross-class skills no longer have a level based limit

Diplomacy (CHA) [2] - This is the art of interacting with people. Also known as 'politicking'. Essential for those aspiring to the Chivalry.

Driving, Basic Automatic (DEX) [1] - Allows character to operate a passenger motor vehicle, or RV. Automatic Transmissions only.

Driving, Basic Any (DEX) [1] - Allows character to operate a passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, or RV. Automatic or Manual Transmissions

Driving, Heavy (DEX) [2]- Allows character to operate heavy equipment. This category includes tractor-trailer rigs, earthmoving equipment. Prerequisite: Driving, Basic Any.

Driving, Military (DEX) [5] - Allows the character to operate various military mobile infantry and armor vehicles. Prerequisite: Driving, Basic Any and Military background.

Ecologist (INT) [2] - The character is knowledgeable about low-impact living and existing in a harmonious state with the surrounding environment.

Flint Knapping (DEX) [5] - The character is knowledgeable in the creation of flint and obsidian blades.

Lock Picking, Electronic (INT) [15] - The character knows how to open electronic locks. This does not confer skill with opening keyed and combination locks.

Pilot, Commercial Jets (DEX) [5] - Allows the character to fly commercial passenger airliners. Prerequisite: Pilot, Light Planes VFR and Pilot, Light Planes IFR.

Pilot, Light Planes VFR (DEX) [3] - Allows the character to fly light single or multiple engine aircraft. Pilot is qualified for Visual flight conditions only.

Pilot, Light Planes IFR (DEX) [3] - Allows the character to fly light single or multiple engine aircraft. Pilot is qualified for either Visual or Instrument flying conditions. Prerequisite: Pilot, Light Planes VFR

Pilot, Military (DEX) [10] - Allows the character to be trained to fly various advanced aircraft. Character must choose a type of aircraft, Helicopters, Transports, Fighters, or Bombers. Prerequisite: Pilot, Light Planes IFR and Military background. This skill can be purchased once for each type of aircraft but ranks are applied to each separate type individually.

Spider (INT) [15] - The character understands how to circumvent computer-based security systems. A character with this skill may attempt to disarm, disable, or reset an electronic security system on a successful find/remove traps roll. If the character also has Lock Picking, Electronic, this gives the character a +3 bonus on his or her DC.

Feats

Armor Proficiency, Police/Riot [5] - Allows character to wear and fight in modern police and riot squad armors.

Armor Proficiency, Tactical [15] - Allows character to wear and fight in modern military tactical armors.

Weapon Proficiency, Firearms (Auto-fire) [10] - Character is proficient with the use of modern rapid fire automatic weapons (assault weapons). Prerequisite: Weapon Proficiency, Firearms (Pistol) or Weapon Proficiency, Firearms (Rifle).

Weapon Proficiency, Firearms (Pistol) [5] - Character is proficient with the use of modern revolvers and semi-automatic handguns.

Weapon Proficiency, Firearms (Rifle) [5] - Character is proficient with the use of modern breech load, bolt action or semi-automatic rifles.

Get the Job Done [10] - The character has mastered the art of Getting Things Done. Once per day in a crisis situation they may, on a successful skill check, add +3 to their CHR, WIS, or STR for the duration of the crisis. This ability only works in a crisis. Combat does not automatically qualify as a crisis, but attempting to prevent a battle through diplomacy or rescuing an injured comrade in a firefight does. Prerequisite: Diplomacy or Bureaucracy skills.

Backgrounds

Advanced Education I [5] - The character has a Bachelors equivalent. This may not be an actual degree, but is useful knowledge and experience. The character must specify what subject this knowledge pertains to. This is a catchall for all forms of higher education, from plumbing to aerospace engineering. Higher levels must be in the same general area of knowledge but need not be from the same specific subject.

Advanced Education II [8] - As Advanced Education I, but at Masters level. Prerequisite: Advanced Education I

Advanced Education III [10] - As Advanced Education I, but at Doctorate level. Prerequisite: Advanced Education I & II

Advanced Education IV [20] - As Advanced Education I, but at Mad Scientist level. Prerequisite: Advanced Education I, II, & III

Celebrity [25] - The character is famous and well regarded by many people. He or she is asked to sign autographs and pose for pictures often. The character gains a +4 Charisma bonus when dealing with NPCs. This bonus lasts for as long as the PC is polite and pleasant with the NPCs. If the PC becomes abusive or hostile towards the NPC (note that this does not mean abusive or hostile in general. The abuse must be directed at the NPC), the bonus changes to a -4 penalty unless the character can make a DC. On a successful, DC, the character can sway small favors from NPCs.

Criminal History [25] - The character has a criminal record and is familiar with the tools and techniques criminals use. The type of record is left to the player, except that no character may be a sex offender (The other players might be upset if their characters suffer any collateral damage) or drug dealer. This confers the status and abilities of 1st-level thief. All thief skills are assumed to include modern as well as period devices. Hacking must be bought separately.

Crown, SCA [30] - The character has won a crown tourney. Confers status as 1st-level Fighter if the character has not purchased Knighthood. If the character is a knight, this confers 1,250 xp that may be applied to the player's choice of classes. Prerequisite: At least three weapon skills, at least one bardic skill, and at least one level of diplomacy.

Knighthood, SCA [25] - Confers status as 1st-level Fighter and all normal abilities. Prerequisite: At least one weapon skill and at least one bardic skill.

Laurel, SCA [5] - The character has a significant degree of skill with an arts and sciences discipline. This skill allows the character to practice and teach it in a period setting, provided appropriate tools are available. An A&S discipline must be specified.

Law Enforcement [5] - The character has a background in law enforcement, either on the local or the national level. The character, if active, may have access to police armor and weapons. If this skill is combined with Knighthood, the character may, if desired, attain the status of 1st-level paladin. All normal requirements must still be met, though. Evil characters may not take this skill. Prerequisite: Firearm Qualification, Pistol

Master Po [15] - This is blind fighting of the kind used by Master Po in Kung Fu; a character is completely unhampered by darkness, fog or other sight impairments. On a successful check, a character is able to locate any and all hidden enemies, threats, or identify an individual unerringly. When combined with a successful Danger Sense check, the character may make a pre-emptive attack on an enemy before the first initiative roll of the combat. The player must declare the use of this ability at the time the DM calls for initiative or before.

Military [5] - The character has a background in the military, either active or retired. The character, if active, may have access to military armor and weapons. Prerequisite: Firearm Qualification in Pistol, Rifle, and Autofire

Military, Special Forces [10] - The character has a background in the special forces, either active or retired. The character, if active, may have access to military armor and weapons. Prerequisite: Wilderness Survival and Military backgound

Minstrel [5] - The character is a skilled performer and is familiar with many period pieces. On a successful roll, the character may attempt to raise spirits as a 1st-level bard. The character gains no other bard skills. Prerequisite: At least one Bardic Skill.

Occultism, Initiate [15] - The character is well educated in the Mysteries and has a normal Spellcraft proficiency. The character is able to perform as a 1st-level mage.

Occultism, Scholar [30] - The character is a devoted student of the Mysteries. This grants either a bonus of 1,250 xp or INT/3 canonical 1st-level spells in a functioning spellbook. The character does not suffer feedback effects when failing a Spellcraft check. Prerequisite: Occultism, Initiate.

Outdoorsman [25] - The character is familiar with wilderness survival and gains the status of a 1st-level ranger. Prerequisite: Ecologist, at least one weapon skill, at least one archery skill.

Theologian, Holy Warrior [30] - The character is a staunch defender of the faith, and believes that it is their duty to act directly and aggressively in that defense. This bestows the status and abilities of a 1st-level paladin. Prerequisite: At least one weapon skill.

Theologian, Lay [15] - The character is qualified as a lay minister of his or her faith and gains the status of a 1st-level cleric. This allows the character the Spellcraft proficiency and the ability to perform minor (3rd-level max) miracles in the name of his or her deity. A lay theologian may not turn undead or create holy water. The character does not receive any bonus spells.

Theologian, Ministerial [25] - As with the lay theologian, a trained minister may perform all miracles permitted to that faith, but without level limitation. The character has the status of a 1st-level cleric, and may turn undead and create holy water as needed. A minister who shows spiritual strength and is a champion of their faith may attempt to cast a spell he or she is not normally high enough level to cast by beseeching their deity. This is considered a quest spell and is handled thusly.

Traits

Artistic Ability [2] - The character has either an arts and sciences or conventional artistic skill. +2 bonus to and rolls on an artistic endeavor.

Geek [5] - The character may buy up their mental abilities at the cost of their social skills. As many points of Charisma as the player desires may be converted into Intelligence at a 2:1 ratio.

Gia Empathy [25] - Confers status as 1st-level Druid and all normal abilities. The character is sensitive to the state of the surrounding land and is aware of any pollution or ecological damage. Prerequisite: Ecologist

Jock [5] -The character may buy up their strength at the cost of their mental development. As many points of Intelligence as the player desires may be converted into Strength at a 2:1 ratio.

Trivia Maven [2] - This is the equivalent of the Obscure Knowledge NWP.

Equipment

Ammo Pack [1] - Additional 2-12 rounds of ammo for a selected weapon.

Armor, Police/Riot [5] - The character has a Tactical vest and riot gear (weapon harness, riot shield, boots, gas mask, and helmet). This is AC 15 and is effective against modern firearms. Active duty, sworn police officers only.

Armor, Tactical [10] - The character has a full Tac suit, consisting of a reinforced vest (full torso and abdomen), night vision goggles, gas mask, ballistic cloth 'ninja' suit, ear bud radio, and steel-reinforced boots. The character also has a 50% chance to have 1d6 grenades (stun, tear gas, smoke, or vomit gas). The suit is AC 20 and is effective against modern firearms. Active duty, sworn police officers only.

Firearm, Assault [20] - The character owns an assault rifle or submachine gun capable of full-automatic fire and 2-12 reloads worth of ammo. Police or active-duty military only, illegal to possess privately.

Firearm, Handgun [2] - The character owns a handgun and 2-12 reloads worth of ammo.

Firearm, Long-Gun [3] - The character owns a sporting rifle or pump-action shotgun and 2-12 reloads worth of ammo.

Firearm, Semi-Auto [10] - The character owns a semi-automatic assault weapon and 2-12 reloads worth of ammo.