Maggan
Writer for CY_BORG, Forbidden Lands and Dragonbane
My local game store has the 1st edition of the game for fifteen dollars. Should I buy it? Or should I shell out another 15 bucks for a copy of the second edition?
Unfortunately, my best advice is "get them both".
If that's not feasible, I'd go for first edition at that price level. The two editions are by and large compatible, except for the rules for magic.
Of course, if you're lusting over the second edition tomes of corruption and salvation and the realms of sorcery book, I'd recommend you go for second edition.
Actually, if you're planning on getting more books for the game, go for second edition. Those supplements are more readily available at reasonable prices, and are also available as PDF:s.
But if you're only going for the one book, I'd say go for the 15 dollars option.
/m