I'm not really a d20 guy becasue I think those rules are a lot more complex than you need (or I want) to run a fun game. Using d20 to create a Dresden style game may take a while since you need to come up with skills, feats, and a number of similar game-mechanic pieces to fit into the campaign. I'd be tempted to go for an older edition of the game. A simple approach would be to take the OD&D game system (or AD&D or OSRIC or other similar RPG mechanic) and use it to run Dresden Files. It's certainly a fast and easy way to go.

* Classes - Start with fighter and magic-user. Others could be added as desired. For example, the Knights of the Sword function a lot like the Paladin. I can also imagine non-canon classes like Druid, Cleric, or Monk entering a game after you get the campaign underway.

* Races - Start with human and probably vampire. You can customize vampire by Court if you like, or start out with them being somewhat generic.

* Magic - A "vancian" fire-forget system is not very Dresden-like in philosophy but probably is a close enough fit and is certainly easy to run. You might want to use new spell names or maybe add a few to be more Dresden in style.

* Special Items - not much here as the DF universe doesn't seem to have "random magic" type items. I'd make each magic item unique and create it as needed instead of having a standard list, but if you want a generic list focus on rings and cloaks of protection, magic potions, maybe an occasional magic dagger or other weapon. Try to stick to things that seem in keeping with the style of Harry's world.

* Monsters - some of the monsters seem very different than their D&D counterparts. For example, the DF ghoul is really nasty whereas the D&D ghoul is nothing really terrifying. Probably some re-statting would be needed here.

I'm thinking that with an OD&D style system you could sit down for a few hours and create enough material to play almost right away. If you try to build a system from scratch, it would take a lot longer.

I agree with a lot of this. however I am very poor with the older systems (I learned on the newer editions) I am fully prepared to write a 100 pages of a write up if I have to make this the fun game it can be based in the D20 system. I would like to mention that its less of me not know 'How' to put it together but what to put in.

I still really don't want to do the classic DnD system for magic. I am looking for an opinion and list of nessicary things that the people would like to see. (Thank you for some of those btw). I am still thinking on making a skill system for the magic. however if I do that...I need a list of the seperate magic for Harry Dresden Universe (Mainly because it's more varied in skill than base DND, some might be a combat magic specialist with little skill in...Thaumergy (Sp?) and the like.)

So. with that said. the Items section is more to detail the unique items. or give a creation example.

Okay so me and my brother are Working on making a D20 version to hold us off till the big one is done and ready. However we need some help. We've got a few things done:

Races:
Black Court Vampires

Classes:
None (Mage is a WIP)

We've also decided to use Vitality and Wound points to make combat more Realistic.

Spellcasting System:
A skill based system based off of a simple format. If you've ever heard of Advanced D20 Magic I based it off that.

Skills:
we were thinking of Using the D20 Urban Arcana versions.

Item Creation:
Okay here is where we go Duh.

Allies and Others:
Need to work on this too.
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This is the early stages of the prodject and any help would be loved. once we have a bit more, I will post a link to the file.


Edit: Okay I took a look a previous D20 thread that as a discussion and I wanted to say that I am playing on a new re-vamped spellcasting system, with the spells that are pre-made called "Baselines" these base line might be the effect you want (aka Evocation) or just the begginning, for other kinds of magic, there are ritual rules, and I am planning on making it pretty open ended. meaning you only need to ask your DM the overall spell DC, and there you go. Spells are based on a few skills. or maybe one skill. I am still in the process of mix it up.

As for the 'smaller' Iconic characters, I mean Level is a determination of combat skill and knowledge of your field. So while Harry may be more power (due to his magic), Murphy would still take him in a straight fight. So levels of the Iconic will be base off the books with statistics to match. I will also to make a grip of new feats.

I do however need some help with certain things, if you are interested send me a Pm, or post here.