"New" is a relative term, my friend (with, of course, my help) invented this some time ago, but I had completely forgotten it until just now.
Every spellcaster has an attribute called "power". It's based on IQ and Willpower, or something.
A spellcaster can cast ANY spell he's learned (no spell levels!). Before he casts it, he declares what level he wants to cast it at. Higher levels = more powerful.
Then, the spell's base power is multiplied with the level he casts it at, and his power is reduced by that (like MP). He then rolls 2 dice (doubles add rolls over), adds his current power attribute, and has to beat a certain number based on the level he's casting it at (20 for level 1, 30 for level 2, 40 for level 3, etc). If he succeeds, the spell is cast.
What that basically means is that there is no concept of spell level, as long as you can afford the power cost and are still able to make the roll. I'd even let you go to negative power if you really wanted, it would just be impossible to cast a spell until you rest *shrug*
There are 3 majors kinds of spells:
- Cantrips that do something easy and simple, and always do something easy and simple. Like "Light". It costs 5 power to cast, and always will.
- Spells that scale up; for example, Firebolt does (level)d6 damage, and costs 5 power. So you can cast it at level 10, doing 10d6 damage, and using 50 power. If you want, you can cast it at level 1, level 5, or level 1000. As long as you can afford 5, 25, or 5000 power.
- Spells that are just powerful; for example, Summon Demon summons a demon, and costs 120 power. So you can cast it at level 1, using 120 power, and it is quite powerful, or you can cast it at level 2, using 240 power, and having an even more powerful one. Unless you botch the roll, in which case the demon attacks you, because demons are evil, but that's not important.
Just thought I'd explain spellcasting a bit.