Hmmm, in reply to the OP - I think that you will find it an enjoyable break from D&D.
Characters do die more often, and stay dead. Even the survivors are likely to end up missing important bits of their bodies. (And occassionaly their minds....)
Magic is dangerous amd can mark its users in ways that even a common man can see. And Witch Hunters have been known to go after even sanctioned Wizards.
There are aspects of the combat system that I do not love (the armor/toughness/wounds thing - the thickness of your skin is more important than the thickness of your armor...), but it is fun.
That said, the game is a lot of fun, feeling a bit like a gothic version of Call of Cthulhu.
One of these days, when I have the free time, I want to do up an alternate random occupation system for the game, I liked the way 1st ed. worked in that regard, where you could at least pick what type of character you were playing from broad categories. (Academic, Ranger (outdoorsy types), Rogue, and Warrior) - so you would not end up with a character who's stats do not match up with his occupation.
The Auld Grump