[manikus]

ST, that's not the issue with this problem. The mages couldn't access higher level spells because there aren't any.

As for spells not working properly, the list of spells is sleep, strength and the cure spells. The cure spells still provide healing, but apparently aren't changing the PC status if they have fallen in combat. Actually, FRUA doesn't change the status in combat either, but changes it as the combat event ends, whereas DC isn't doing that automatically, but only if you 'rest'.