Re: A new beginning

My group usually plays in Realms or Realmspace, venturing out as the
need arises.  

That said, in one of my our adventures (one that I did not DM) we got
shot back in time during the age of Nethereal (don't ask how or why...).
As the essence of magic (ie Mystra vs Mystral) was different back then,
we used the 'Arc & Wind' spell point system from the Nethereal Boxed
Set.  
It didn't seem too powerful or overbalancing, it just made the
spellcaster more versital, IMHO.  Of course, we were fighting Phareem
and an Arcanist or two (substitute 'fighting' with 'running away and
hiding from' :-)).
Anyway, during the rising of Karsus to god-hood, we managed to save
Mystral and she did not change magic in the realms to the spell slot
system, although she did limit magic to 9th level.  We weturned to the
present time and found that no one remembered the spell-slot system.

This would seem to cause a problem for the DMs of SJ and PS, but we
setteled it like this.  If you are within Mystra's power (ie the realms,
realmsspace, and any planes she controlls) use the 'Arc & Wind' system,
elsewhere use the spell-slot system.

Well, we are OK with this system ,although it is more complicated.  but,
as someone else said, 'maybe we just didn't abuse it.:-)

Well these are just my thoughts.

Brief Nethereal background history (for those that don't know):
  Mystral, the then godess of magic, predecessor of Mystra, allowed
every spellcaster to use the 'Arc & Wind' spell point system.  A
powerful mage, Karsus, used a 12th level spell to unseat her from
godhood and assume her portfolio.  This rise in power drove him mad in
an instant.  For the next few minutes, all magic died in the realms, as
did Mystral.  She placed a part of herself into another as she died.  
The new Mystral then took back her goddhood and changed magic forever to
the spell slot system and limited mortal magic to 9th level.

Anyway, my point, I guess, is that I do not agree with the lowering of
magical power.  Sorry, for clogging the bandwith.:-)

"Toot-a-loo, go with God, and don't take any wooden nickels"
George Carlin - c. 1978