Which system to use?

[Lord Tataraus]

Hey folks! I've had this idea for a campaign setting running around in my head allowing me to survive calculus class, but I need some help on what system would work best. Basically its a dark Victorian-age setting focused mainly on a city and its outlying suburbs. The government is very controlling and rules through fear. In this world witches and there kin are not too uncommon and the people fear them (mostly due to government propaganda) thus the government has been able to continue to hold control by threatening a reign of terror that the witches would bring if they ever took control. Thus the government hunts down witches and there are many witch hunts and all that Salem Witch trail type stuff, though some of them really are witches. These "witches" however, are descendants of those impregnated by demons and nephilim (servants of hell and heaven respectively). These people do not choose their abilities and many are truly innocent. There are also magicians who are basically wannabe witches using dark arts, alchemy and science to use "magic".

So, the whole setting is pretty gritty, but I wouldn't mind some heroics either. Then, while wandering around the homebrew forums I came upon The Complete Low-Magic which contains three classes that (with a bit of reflavoring) would fit perfectly in this world.

So, my question is this: Would D&D 3.5 or D20 Modern be best for this setting?

I have done nothing with D20 Modern, but have read the srd and have access to mostly everything (I think). It seems a bit more gritty and might be better in that respect, but I like those three classes as mentioned before...

[Matthew]

I'll vote for D20 Modern, mainly because, as you say, it's grittier.

[Leadfeathermcc]

You could try E6. It uses the D&D rules you know and love but keeps things in the gritty levels.

[Satyr]

You could do something really revolutionary and try something completely different. Have a look at the link below Witchcraft is free and sounds very similar to your setting idea. And it's truly beautiful.

http://www.edenstudios.net/witchcraf...ftCorebook.zip

[Lord Tataraus]

@ Satyr - that looks very interesting, but I'd like to stick to what I know more about (and I my players know).

You could try E6. It uses the D&D rules you know and love but keeps things in the gritty levels.

Huh, I did not even think about that I've never really used it before....that might be what I'll do, thanks!