Each player character begins the game with prior experience, whether farm hand, soldier in the king's army, or apprentice wizard. The rank for this is determined by the GM at the start of the game; A band of bored young friends planning a life of adventure from the local inn might be rank 1, while an experienced cadre of agents, hand picked by the king, might be rank 3 (or higher!).
As the player characters go about their business the GM should award new experiences based on their adventures. For example, if the PCs spent a few sessions crossing the great desert in the company of the local nomads (ha!), the GM might award "Crossed the great desert of Windsand in the company of nomads: 1". This new experience can then be applied as appropriate skills.
GMs should consider customising these awards according to the individual PCs actions; If one PC spent much of the time joining the nomads on patrols and hunts, their experience might become "Rode with the nomads of the great desert". Their companion, who spent their time with the loremasters and bards of the tribe, might get "Learned in the ways of the desert folk". One implies a familiarity with the martial skills of the nomads, particularly their skills as horsemen - an easy application of this experience when attempting a maneuver on horseback. The other would be sure application when trying to recall details of obscure legends.
Of course, a rank of 1 is of limited utility, and PCs may not cross Windsand again. If characters acquire similar experience elsewhere the experience might be rolled into the previous experience as, eg. ""The ways and paths of the desert: 2"
Gaining Exp
Experience points are awarded by the GM on completion of a quest (or at any other juncture he or she feels is appropriate). The usual award for a short quest (1-2 evenings play) would be a single experience point. For longer quests more should be awarded as appropriate. The GM may award an additional point, or points, to characters who performed particularly well. Gamesmasters are encouraged to reward great roleplay not great dice rolls.
Using Experience
Each Experience point may be applied to an already existing skill, or spent acquiring a new one. Experience points may be saved until a character has enough to advance a desired skill.