Conservation of energy is the main thing: is energy in >= useful energy out?

Also, on the topic of life and death powers, how do they work and what are their capabilities? From what I understand about life it is the manipulation of organic materials, but how does a person use it without knowing what the fuck is going on on a molecular level?

Also, I completely forgot to ask, but what is the approximate technology level of the setting? Is it roughly analogous to a year range of earth history, or is shit all over the place?

Also, now that the douchebaggery is out in the open, once these last questions are answered can I whip up a character?