Although I don't contest that an archivst can add arcane spells to his prayerbook, the rules compendium is pretty straightforward about wizards not beig able to add spells that are not on his list...
I DO allow you to research any type of spell to become a n arcane spell for your list though... that costs money, which is preset by level and I limit exotic spells outside of PHB... bt I don't think it's unfair to allow a arcane to cast divie, as long as it's paid for.
Regarding caster levels and spell levels... no. at current, the max level a full caster could have is level 12 for a cleric/wizard, 13 for a sorceror/spontaneous caster. Two reasons for this...
1. I plan on going epic eventually. This is going to allow the power curve to build more slowly regarding spell poiwer. should allow the game to be more sustainable.
2. there are a lot of cool PrC's folks would consider if it doidn't cost them spell levels. Green Star Adept is actually a viable gish consideration in this game, because you are only etting 1/2 casting advancement anywya. you've gotta fill those levels with something. May as well consider weaker PRC's that add cool flavor.
7-9th level spells WILL be available, just at a later level than you wold normally get them... but that is a PC only restriction. As DM I am fully allowed to throw a wizard20 at your party. It would die or run very fast...but I'm allowed to do it. As well as make up whatever the hell I wat to throw at you. Some people don't agree with that philosophy, but the party in game is currently facing some sort of something they can't find in the books
Incredible power is tempered by unfamiliar threats.
I had something else to say, but I just lost it...
OH! Buffs.
IF a buff is merely going to add statistics to the whole team, don't bother. I literally gauge how tough creatures are to how well your characters perform You'll hit and damage easy encountes much more readily than dificult or even moderate encounters. IF you get used to buffing all the time your attacks, ac, damage, I upgrade the threats to match your power. This is a good thing.
1. it scales incredily easily into epic levels. I've go a lot of experience ith 20+ characters. the math is easy to process, really.
2. ther's no sense wasting a bunch of time buffing the crap out of the whole party. If one or two charatrs woll be beneitted by enlarge etc... by all means, do it. a DMM righteous might divine power cleric is an expected archetype. I'm not just going to debuf on sight. (though OMen is very amusin to imply I will..
)
Haste, for instance, allows an extra attack per full attack. This is gonna benefit owain incredibly, others not as much.
alright end ranting.
I"ll be updating in game before the weekend is over... so get in your posts asap team!