Recently our wizard wanted to cast burning hands. Nothing unusual, but we had an argument on the actual area affected. Our DM ruled that the origin square could only be the corner square or the one in the middle of the blast as shown on the pic in the PHB. But the blast description only says the...
Well, I don't know about the books and novels, but in the computer games of the 1980s, the Rose Knights could cast spells.
As for the second paragraph... true.
If I had not known the song Soulforged to be about Raistlin, I would have had a hard time realizing it from listening only. But yep it BG are pretty good.
My last TPK was when the party (3rd level) was in a cursed valley with roaming undead and night fell.
Party Leader: We camp right here.
Me: Are you sure? Here with the undead around?
Party Leader: Yes. Outside there are mountain lions.
Me: Which you already killed.
Party Leader: There might be...
iirc he would have to make a spellcraft check to learn spells which are not "his own". If he succeeds on a spellcraft check (DC 25+highest spell level) he can use the spellbook as if it was his own. Maybe it is easier for single spells?