So, your a mage, even an arch-mage...yet you have a whopping 3 spells that always cast the exact same way every time, always costing the exact same mana. (this is a basic exaggeration)

Im looking at creating a bit more of a dynamic system. Instead of creating new spells per say, you can modify those you already have by modifying the mana you pour into it.

As an example, say we select a random spell. Now, say this spell will cost 4-8 mana per shot. How about being able to put all our mana into a single shot? Or in contrast, making a shot so weak it uses next to no mana but you could use it without consequence. Using a system like this, it rewards you for investing heavily in mana and gives you back some control over how you use your mage. Even "enchanting" for free mana wont be a freebie as your spell can not be more powerful than your current total mana. so...

x mana = x damage
set on a slider from 1 mana to your total max mana
the higher the mana cost the higher the damage up unto your maximum.

or in the area of other schools, things such as detect life if you pump up the mana use will extend the range greatly. Healing would increase the healing rate and summons would increase their total time summoned. Of course, dropping all your mana into a Rune or a cloak might actually make them worth it at some point in the game! Or even boosting the damage absorption of the wards, making them slightly useful in any combat situation involving a mage.

Bound weapons are another story...sorry, i dont care how you look at it, its not very exciting. Not to me anyways. Im a mage, I should be able to conjure any weapon or bow I want. No, im limited to a sword an axe and a bow. Under my new system, you would be able to conjure any weapon you "bind." Basically, if you come across a weapon you like, even if someone else owns it, you can copy that weapon with magic. This bound weapon would gain the look of the weapon you just copied (with glowy purple or whatnot) minus enchantments on the weapon, but would gain a small magical damage bonus.

As an example, say you have a deadric bow of life svcking. Toss that onto the ground, cast the spell of binding and magico preso, you have a bound daedric bow with zero weight.
I also think it might be interesting to extend this idea further into summons. Sure, you could use one of the many few already avaliable summons, but how about summoning a guard that you bound earlier!

Meh, just ideas ive jotted down. Im anxiously awaiting the Construction Kit so I can do some nifty things.

That idea of capturing enemies and beig able to summon them later sounds awesome!!