With magic in limited use and hidden, it was possible to enhance the various magic resistances of humans, and to keep certain forms of magic from being possible. If magic enters common usage, this interference becomes infeasible.

The area was plagued by all sorts of vermin: fleas, lice, mice, and rats to name a few.

I smoke rollups because they are cheaper than buying cigarettes.

In the typical Sword and Sorcery novel, the setting resembles the misty landscape of Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, in that larger-than-life heroes struggle against strange and nightmarish antagonists.