Character creation in Pendragon is basically a vast list of options. The GM can choose to include or exclude certain options with almost no trouble. For example, racial bonuses give characters more or less of particular attributes - but these are not all equal. Picts just stink compared to any other race. Fortunately, nothing at all stops you leaving this rule out - it's not integrated into the character creation system.
Players attempt to roll under their skill values to succeed.
There's a little more to it, but not a lot. The most unusual feature of the Pendragon rules must be the Personality Traits and Passions. Personality Traits are pairs of opposed traits which together must add up to 20. In situations where a character wants to do something which might contradict a personality trait, he has to roll against it. Thus, a character with a Lustful of 15 and a Chaste of 5 who wanted to avoid pursuing an attractive woman in order to fulfil a vow would have to try and roll under his Chaste.