Red Spire Press
First Post
Well, since Crothian gave you a run down of Thieves World, here's one for DL magic. 
From what you described, I think you'd like it.
it's crunchy without being complicated. Spellcasting requires a Spellcraft roll, with very high DCs at the higher levels, so that high level spells are usually only cast cooperatively by multiple casters. Most spells are longer ritual affairs rather than combat oriented. Each spell has a complete description, component list (components are very necessary in DL), and a detailed casting process. All spells cause casting strain in the form of nonlethal damage and some cause further ability score damage or assorted effects. Should you fail to properly cast a spell, I will refer you to the lovely spell failure side effects table. Fun for the whole family. Spellcasting also causes you to accrue corrupting taint, which can lead to a variety of psychological effects. Everyone can use magic if they can speak Abyssal (magic in DL comes from the Abyss) and if they have ranks in Spellcraft, but dabblers are severely limited. The single spellcasting class, the arcanist, gains bonuses to his spellcasting rolls (as well as his rolls to deciper and learn spells), gains resistance to the nonlethal damage spells inflict, and is the only class that can memorize spells. The Player's Guide includes 60 brand new spells tailored to this flavor rather than adapting spells from the PHB, though it gives guidelines on how to use third party spells.
Note that Dark Legacies is, as it's title would suggest, very dark. In many respects, it's more Cthulhuesque/post-apocalyptic/horror than it is traditional fantasy.
Hope that helps.
Cheers.
From what you described, I think you'd like it. it's crunchy without being complicated. Spellcasting requires a Spellcraft roll, with very high DCs at the higher levels, so that high level spells are usually only cast cooperatively by multiple casters. Most spells are longer ritual affairs rather than combat oriented. Each spell has a complete description, component list (components are very necessary in DL), and a detailed casting process. All spells cause casting strain in the form of nonlethal damage and some cause further ability score damage or assorted effects. Should you fail to properly cast a spell, I will refer you to the lovely spell failure side effects table.
Fun for the whole family. Spellcasting also causes you to accrue corrupting taint, which can lead to a variety of psychological effects. Everyone can use magic if they can speak Abyssal (magic in DL comes from the Abyss) and if they have ranks in Spellcraft, but dabblers are severely limited. The single spellcasting class, the arcanist, gains bonuses to his spellcasting rolls (as well as his rolls to deciper and learn spells), gains resistance to the nonlethal damage spells inflict, and is the only class that can memorize spells. The Player's Guide includes 60 brand new spells tailored to this flavor rather than adapting spells from the PHB, though it gives guidelines on how to use third party spells. Note that Dark Legacies is, as it's title would suggest, very dark. In many respects, it's more Cthulhuesque/post-apocalyptic/horror than it is traditional fantasy.
Hope that helps.
Cheers.
