[@Cleverbird][@Goldeagle1221]

The way I see magic, most of our contact with it will be via the residual sorceries left over by the ancients, or ensorcelled artifacts. They lived in what could be called a magical 'golden age.' Much of that know-how has been lost, and the new inhabitants of the Cradle are not as gifted in that regard. 
However, there are those that have innate aptitude - say 1 in 10,000 or so. The ability to channel magic would very likely skyrocket you to rockstar fame. 

As for biomes, we're still working on that and are in the process of having a map drawn up. But know that there are badlands, plains, upper temperate forests and lots of geysers. 

I'd love to be able to just say "tech level is CONAN," but to narrow it down - technology will vary from nation to nation and proximity to major population centers. Bronze and iron are the dominant weapon/armor materials. We look to early-mid antiquity for a rough analogous period.

Rule of cool is the order of the day - though this applies more to badassery and feats. A great warrior might take on and defeat ten men at once, but the fighting itself ought to be grounded in realism (no swords slicing stright through breastplates like butter, and what-have-you).