If any of you guys are still tinkering with this, or want an alternative idea about mechanics, see if you can dig up a copy of Seven Seas (a pirates with magic role playing game). The mechanics are what I'd call cinematic, rather than brutally realistic but there's some great stuff to support group storytelling (incl fate/luck). Also, Ars Magica is a caster focused game with a very cool magic system, also worth checking out.

A game with wildly divergent power levels can work btw, just look at Rifts or Cyberpunk. That wouldn't be my choice for a kind of rules set, but I've played so many friggin' RPGs I'm kind of jaded about a lot of mechanic heavy rules sets. I tend toward storytelling focused rules sets with stripped down mechanics.

I'll freely admit to playing way to much D&D as a young man. Deities and Demigods was a wonderful primer on world myth and religion.

Bohren & der Club of Gore - Black Earth.

Hard to classify. Gothic-Jazz-Ambient maybe? IDK... it's awesome though.

Wow, Who knew BBC Radio 4 was so darn interesting. Thanks!