Sorry that I've not gotten back to people. Have had a busy weekend.

[@Klomster]
The Purge was about 17 years ago, the civil war started about 20 years ago with the Barrows splitting a few years into the war and the Ashen confederacy following suit.

The crucible happened about 400 years ago.

Magic is quite simple. Think D&D, add realism and a few twists and whatever you think fits. It's pretty much open for anything as long as it makes sense.
Drains your strength when you cast spells. The more mana you have the less strength is sapped as your pool of mana is drained instead. Technically anyone can learn magic, but fighting people tend to focus more on enhancements and strengthening their bodies instead of flinging stuff around.

Most things go, but you gotta motivate it in the story and sheet. However, a human will be a human and limited to the human limits. The more powerful races tends to be less trusted and in some cases hunted.

As for where you want to be; anywhere goes. 
If you want more player interaction you might want to start out in Kron-Nesis, can even interweave your story so that you're the royal archmage that Delta's characters bribed. xD
Otherwise if you're seeking knowledge, Ithell is the place.