Our game is set in a fantasy flavored version of the Fertile Crescent. Things were particularly nasty back then. So what we really have is 'Relaxed Realism', where magic and some amazing feats are possible. We fill in the gaps in our knowledge of everyday bronze and ironage life with Common Era fantasy feudalism. But we must remember that this is the ancient world of superstition, fear, famine and plague where ---however relaxed--- people still live nasty, brutish and short lives.
Frankly, I like it like that. It makes me consider combat a bit more carefully. My first consideration on entering the fray is not the odds of whether I'll successfully maul the oponent, so much as the odds of whether I'll survive the encounter.
And lo, for DM was a vengefull DM and hardened the hearts of the players.
DM said unto his players "Go unto the world and attempt great deeds. Learn failure and hardship, for I, DM, have created this world for mine own amuesment. My powers are great, and my wrath is wroth."
The players looked upon the towering face of DM and replied, "Screw you."
And thus Akkadia was born. Land of mass player death. Ruled with and iron hand by the one called DM.