Thanks for the clarification! 

Any updates on what we can expect in the next issue?  :I would love to get my hands on Monster and PC race creation guidelines!

A given Background is allowed to give 3 ranks to the Stealth skill because that skill is specialized.

Ok, probably due to old age, I missed that! 

Stealth serves several purposes. Your character will use it for hiding, as well as for sneaking about quietly. In both instances, your character is using camouflage, shadows and
cover to conceal his presence.

I didn't guess from the above text, that Stealth was a specialized skill. I assumed it covered both hiding and sneaking, although I like that its specialized! 

Each individual craft is required to be developed as a separate skill, with each skill allowing the character to perform any and all tasks required by the job.

Now the Crafting skill text is much more clear; although could it be possible to either be more specific in the skill info for each skill, like Crafting was done, or make a notation on the skill table?

From reading the entries and the examples, I am assuming that the following are Specialized Skills:

Athletics
Combat
Crafting
Gimmickry?
Lore
Performing Arts
Riding
Spellcasting?
and Stealth

But I must admit, I am also using my knowledge of rpg games and how skills are typically used...

LoL! It never ends, does it? No worries- we are all here to help!

Posted by: Tywyll
I loathe the 'mages can't wear armor' trope in a game that is supposed to be generic and in which it is unnecessary for balance.  Wizards in DnD weren't allowed to wear armor as a way of limiting their ultimately cosmic power.  Casters in Novus don't seem to have access to that kind of gross imbalance, and so its a purely aesthetic decision rather than a mechanical one.

I have not become an expert on the Novus System yet, and I can't yet speak on the limitations of the magic system, but while looking over the Libras Novus I supplement, it appears to me that mages can and will have access to fairly powerful spells- especially since the system allows for spell creation.

Now if the author/creator of a system desires Impedance, so be it. Just because a system is "generic", doesn't mean it can't have both aesthetic (setting) and mechanic rules. You as a GM have the power to modify any sytem any way you desire to. I honestly don't think I have ever played in or GMed a game that hadn't been "houseruled" or modified in some form.

Magic Stat determined by Class (or dispense with most of the classes and make a generic caster template that had flexible skills)

Magic Stats are determined by class already. The system is based upon Classes. Its not a classless system- although that is my preferance! 

Two Types of Magic: High and Low (or Prosaic or whatever).  Everyone can use Low.

That seems to be the direction that the system is headed in. Universal Magic (in my interpretation) is like a Low Magic. Everyone can use Universal Magic- if they purchase the Magecraft and Spellcraft skills.

'why can't my priest of nature use Nature spells?'

Who says he can't? The Player and Gm simply need to work together and create some Nature spells.

I like your ideas alot and simply see them as inspiration for creative GM's and players to go nuts, using the flexibility of the system as it stands.

Posted by: Rasyr(Tim)
However, I am actually working on (thanks to some comments from a poster on rpg.net) a single spell using Class that does away with the the existing spell-using Classes and replaces them with a single Class (4 Favored Skills, 3 other skills selected by the Player).

As a stickler for continuity, I must ask- if there is a single spell-using class that does away with the existing classes (allowing for more flexibility), will there also the be a single melee or martial class that allows for the same flexibilty? Then players and Gm's can basically make and design their own classes, by choosing the skills they want?

Sorry I wan't more specific.

Page 25

I'm confused on Spell Points...  On page 16 it says that Minor gets 7 + Magic Stat bonus, and Major Adepts get 12 + Magic Stat bonus Spell points.  Then on page 23 it says that Minor Adepts gain an extra 3 Spell Points, and that Major get an additional 5 Spell Points...

I think I may have answered my own question... :Thanks

Thanks, Sam!  I just started rolling up some characters and one thing that was a slight speed bump was the initial confusion of "Primary Stats" and "Prime Stats". I couldn't think of any better suggestions for "Prime", other than "Master Stats", but i dunno...maybe it isn't a big deal.