Setting Details

Society organized along the lines of hereditary social roles. "I am of the Warrior class"

The society is living in the ashes of collapse of a previous civilization. Ex: European Dark Ages, South American Indians

The power structures which govern the core society have reduced influence in the primary region of the setting.

Faster-than-light star travel, sentient computers, mature genetic engineering, nanotechology, longevity, particle-beam blaster, cold fusion, panimmunity, brain-tapes, complex implants, suspended animation, automedic; similar to Babylon 5 or Star Trek's Enterprise era

Social maneuvering, diplomacy, coalition building

Doomed characters in terrifying circumstances

Magic which derives from the practitioner's level of enlightenment and/or exposure to supernatural phenomena. Mage and Star Wars both provide examples of this.

Creation of potions and other single-use magic items.

Magical energies and procedures may be used to permanently enhance the power of the practitioner. AD&D's Dark Sun setting includes this concept.