I'm curious if there are system out there fitting these loose criteria:
* Fantasy or fantasy-adjacent
* Setting neutral or setting agnostic
* Important not based on the assumption or premise that starting characters will be itinerant "adventurers"
* On the slightly crunchier side
* Flexible in terms of campaign setup/style
The only systems that I can think of that truly fit these are #GURPS, #Reign and, to an extent, #BurningWheel , but I'm surely overlooking some gems.
@auguryignored I'm going to suggest #SavageWorlds. I've run fun fantasy games from just the main book, and the Fantasy Companion has a lot of what you're looking for.
*#Hackmaster, another favorite, has a fairly good skill system, and is definitely on the crunchier side. It also emphasizes that PCs start as regular folk, not superheroes. Also? Free Basic book.
*It's old school and takes a bit to get into, but #Rolemaster is a crunchy toolbox. A friend suggested it and I've been digging in.