When youre deciding which type of magic system to use, ask yourself: Do you want magic to solve conflict for your protagonist (hard magic) or to create conflict for your protagonist (soft magic)? All three should work together to create the magic system. Limiting what magic can theoretically do will dramatically cut down the number of plot-breaking scenarios you might have to deal with. There are a number of times during the series when Harry performs magic out of anger or fear. In the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, wand magic is like language. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien uses the near omnipotence of the One Ring to explore the dangers of authoritarianism, which he fought as a British soldier during WWI. Its way too easy for me to make everything very logical with a specific and predictable reaction to every action, which is why Im trying to challenge myself with a more whimsical(?) Do users of angelic magic have to join some kind of religious group? A strong starting point in order to define your world as "other" to our own is selecting your world's name. For instance, the Patronus Charm is a spell that is critical to the plot of multiple Harry Potter books. A grammar checker, style editor, and writing mentor in one package. Once you master the flow of paint in your body you can change your appearance temporarily. That can create an interesting dilemma if a person primarily driven by a particular emotion starts to lose it, how likely are they to remain committed to their goals? Some of them, such as the Breath Weapons have been condenced a little bit for shortnesses sake. Theres not much description sticking in my mind about the details of the contest, which tends to indicate to me how orders-of-magnitude outclassed of a mismatch Tolkien considered this one on the spiritual level he viewed as most important, since if theres one thing Tolkien excels at, its birlliant and poetic description of the details of those elements he viewed as important to convey in his work, which he approached with the carefully thought out professionalism he drew from his years in the academic world as professor and often chair of various university departments, most I believe relating to linguistics and literature, in particular of the Anglo-Saxon and Norse cultures (though the Welsh Mabinogion seems also to have influenced the development of Middle Earth and in fact some of the names, particularly of the Dwarves, were lifted directly from there check the Mabinogi of KILHWCH AND OLWEN; OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH, which basically explains the collection of the legendary royal treasures in terms of a pig hunt which in turn was demanded by the Bad-guy Ogre Father of the Heros Love Interest (basically because he was prophesied to, um, you know, DIE when his daughter was married, so he was REALLY interested in being as difficult a crusty old bastard as possible in terms of legendarily impossible tasks he was going to demand of his prospective son-in-law as the bride price. It would foreshadow his powers at the end of the story, when he faces off against Voldemort controlling all types of magic. With so many spec fic books, its not unusual to have such coincidences. I know this is an old article, but it inspired me to create my magic system. Because that makes it much more obvious and harder to forgive if you do need to break a rule for plot. What are your favorite magic systems? For example do you want evil spellcasters to raise undead? It is dual-natured-representing the life-giving light of the sun that all life relies on, but also the destructive and fiery nature of its power. These people are often social outcasts. If I can find a way to make it work, it would be cool if sound can be harnessed and redistributed as well. how would you define the users magical abilities)? Ill respond to that one later. For your points about my magic system: yes, I know magic isnt real, so I will have to break some physical laws in my fictional world. It could make for some interesting stories devout priests who get power from their deities versus irreligious wizards who use their own will as magic, bio-mages who draw upon the weak but flexible power of living organisms versus geo-mages who draw upon the mighty yet unsubtle power of the land itself, Incidentally, all examples you have given, Cay Reet, are about how (most) magic-users cannot use all types of magic; do you think that a system in which magic-users could learn all possible magic (at least theoretically) but what is possible for magic in total is strictly limited could work? Can they simply stretch their arm, make a gesture with their hands and shoot out a ball of fire or do they need a wand do direct the magic? The fantasy genre is one of the fastest-growing genres in fiction, and this also applies to science fiction/fantasy novels. If you actually have light magic and youre just not telling them until later, then great; youve foreshadowed without even trying. In the first book, Ron doesnt know any troll-slaying spells, so he uses the Levitating Spell to knock out a mountain troll instead. In my world, priests arent like Catholic priests and all that. Practically everyone uses it in their daily life. You can get away with a strange assortment if you have mechanics that explain it. Lets say powers are granted by a changing lineup of gods, and the ocean goddess has three children that control the wind, waves, and depths. That is, unless you have a good relationship with him. For instance, if speaking is an essential part of spellcasting, then characters cant cast spells if they cant speak. Many soft magic systems include magical creatures: centaurs, mermaids, nine-tailed foxesthe possibilities here are endless. Then you would have to decide whether someone can use all elements that way or just one (as everyone safe for the Avatar in the series). One of the most common elements in these books is a magic system. A mages magic can be stronger or weaker depending on how much access to a Primal they have at a given time. Obviously you can also combine both ideas, just because you can combine spells doesn't mean you have to. A lot of magical effects can only affect creatures that are magic, or affect them much more strongly. But its repeatedly said in the series that spells can be cast when the user feels strong emotion, so it could possibly be connected in that way to the old magic. Willpower is ultimately the deciding factor between to evenly matched opponents. Worldbuilding, Avatar, Magic Magic Systems Magic systems vary from colorful bears with tummy badges to ritual blood sacrifices. The spellbook kind of magic is more of a preference, like if they dont want to be apart if any of the fighting and just rather hang back. Untold masses dead, fear, uncertainty you get the idea. How do I create a good naming system for the magic system in my Fantasy In Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, magic comes from specific metals, like copper, tin, or aluminum. Both have always existed since the beginning of time and revolve around each other in order to exist. Good luck! Other than that, most answers are really just what do you want? However, I will say that if magic uses up energy in the environment putting out fires and stopping movement for instance that would probably create some interesting scenes. . I was literally thinking How can I make a magic system thats as good as Avatar? and this article answered that question nicely. The other is one of my own magic systems, as I want to hear what others think about it, especially in terms of this article. To avoid adding a sense of arbitrariness, your choice of categories must feel natural. Terrifying. In Brandon Sandersons Warbreaker, magic is powered by a life force known as breath. Sanderson could have made breath do anything, but instead its mostly limited to animating objects and improving the casters senses. They will be, Time and Space, Light and Darkness, and Mind and Body. (And I LOVE the idea of sea water improving magical power- its like a psudeo science in the sense that you could say that the Sea Water makes the magic (like electricity) conduct better and so being around it over long periods would wear off on you and make you more powerful? Some are carefully planned; others contradict themselves and lead to plot holes. There are, of course, drawbacks. Just because there are rules doesnt mean theyre rational. Astral Armor-- "Though spun from strands of glamor and mana, the protection it offers is no illusion." Magic Formula-- Yep. In a rational system, their powers would have come from somewhere and they would have been close to or even broken through their limit, which would have consequences. If George R.R. Stars: Star magic draws power from the vast expanse of the cosmos, and is primarily psychic in nature. Alrighty, its late and Im tired. My magic system is based off of good and bad. This is a pretty nice article, and it has inspired me to think more about the magic systems I create. While the Harry Potter system certainly isnt perfectwill be checking out the linked article!I dont think the points raised in this article have much weight. Spell lists ala D&D can be fun, but spell creation in a limited system can be very flavorful. Generally that means their strengths and weaknesses will be roughly equivalent. That would make Harrys choice important in two ways: hed be the odd one out who can control all powers (like the Avatar controlling all elements) and he would be limited in what he learns to control by the house he chooses. However, not understanding Gandalfs magic doesnt detract from the story, because the protagonists have to undergo most of their journey without Gandalfs help. The God of Parties, on the other hand, would be very chaotic. SWAMP, kind of based off of iguanas in design, rare chance of getting magic. If you do, how will you split the elements between the two sides? ), the rarest of the three. She ran Well-Storied from 2014 - 2021, sharing hundreds of articles, podcast episodes, and other resources on story craft and creative living. With that said, I wonder why no one has replied to my previous comment on this article. It cant summon rain or make someone invisible, for instance. People will accept that magic exists in a universe like ours, even though magic doesnt exist (as far as we know) in our universe. Professor of Political Theory in Star Trek. Coins, gems, art objects, and magic items from the d20 SRD . Are there other applications that would make sense? Will have to give it some thought. Curses are basically magic diseases. Magic isnt real, so it can be anything we want. That will tell you what the Empire could have that the mages cant just conjure for themselves. It violates local conservation laws and relativity (whats simultaneous in one reference frame is not in other frames). Its important to note, that the Elements dont just represent their Physical Aspects, but also their Symbolic and Conceptual inferences as well (Through their Mental/Spiritual Aspects), for instance: Water is often associated with the concepts of Healing & Nourishment. And i aint going to be touching it ever again, so if you or anyone else finds some sort of use from it, have fun. In another world (a fantasy high-magic setting), I havent fleshed out quite as much, but I do know that magic is powered by your soul, which is also needed to run all brain activity. I really hope you go through with it! You can have several sources of magic, but you need to bring them together in a way that makes sense at least in the novel. Now, I think I was misleading about the Storm God. Professor of Political Theory in Star Trek, contradicting something shes already invented, distill and concentrate the plant down to an elixir, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, heres a fun chart showing the details of magic systems in the most popular works, Building the Raksura: How Martha Wells Fell Into Toxic Tropes, Five Tips for Using an Arbitrary Magic System, Building Wings of Fire: How Sutherland Propped Up Her Plot, Building Hyperion: How Simmons Scattered His World, Building Roshar: How Sanderson Bungled Culture, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi_hcwB8i64, https://mythcreants.com/blog/how-to-create-an-eclectic-magic-system/. Following is a list of all the abilities that can be generated by the Abilities Generator. Now its time to decide why magic cant do anything and everything the spellcaster wants, whenever they want. In actual weaving, warp threads keep tension during weaving and are the main structure of the fabric. Now you have all the tools you need to create your own magic system. Korra did it but that was more so of Avatar state then an Airbending technique. But because of Saurons _spiritual_ and _moral_ corruption, ADDED to the fact that dis werent no ordinary Elfk, Luthien was able not only to win handily but to pretty seriously humiliate Sauron before his boss (no other than Morgoth, the Satan figure in Tolkiens universe, Old Scratch himself) by the pathetic ease by which she shelled him? The key traits of a soft magic system are outlined in the graphic below. This is what making sense means when it comes to magic. (I wont deal with it here and now, as this reply is getting too long already and you never mentioned it in your comment). Does that all make sense? Martin Magic System Rating: 1 (Because Magic) Martin is writing a purposeful deconstruction of epic fantasy tropesincluding magic systemsand has actually put some work into making his magic frustrating and inconsistent beyond a few broad-stroke rules (there's definitely some like-for-like business, with equivalent sacrifices needed to produce an . Why you should create a rational magic system as a writer? Basically the spirits want more knowledge of the human world, to experience it through human eyes. Some people are good at magic, others are not. Otherwise you have near-god mages with no limits, who will hurt your story more than they will serve it. If an elemental mage can only use elements which are not opposite, they have to choose between the four elements when they start training. Our bills are paid by our wonderful patrons. This is where your magic system will become unique, even if it shares elements with existing works of fiction. In Dune, those who are exposed to spice develop powers over time. The Towers will 3 pairs of contrasting ideas. Its not just about the energy needed to transform a body into energy and then back into mass, its also about controlling where the second transformation takes place (splicing would be a problem or manifesting through matter its what cost Heimlich from the Brian Helsing series his right lower arm). I see where you are coming from on a few of these points but perhaps since Ive read the series so many times I think they miss the mark. With very little people learning magic outside of their respective faction but its not a common practice. In this guide I will cover the major aspects part of most magic systems, hopefully it'll help you create your own magic system and provide you with a checklist of sorts to make sure you're not forgetting an important part. Hard magic systems provide interesting limitations that allow your protagonist to solve problems using their own wits, not raw magical power. Its implied humans discovered the thread and abandoned technology altogether, becoming more and more dependent on magic over the next few hundred years. Or you blame all psychic powers on quantum and be done with it, but I doubt you want to take that way out, otherwise you wouldnt have been plotting that much already. However, if were shown the hero struggling more in fights as a result of exhaustion after using said ability (e.g. Really Smart that would make a great power for the Apaths. So there you have a source of energy for your telekinesis. And sorry about the length of this comment. Its easy to extrapolate all the basic uses of this magic system. Now, I havent seen anything about your system, apart from what youve written here, but one easy distinction to make would be to give the angelic side healing magic and the demonic side something like destruction or seduction. Ideas for Original & Unique Magic Systems : r/fantasywriters - reddit In both these cases, its their clever problem-solving that saves them, not the power of the magic itself. Spellcasters cant blow up planets, because obviously that would take too much energy. Theres a lot to figure out about the basics, before you can think about sub-types. A curse rang out as he knew he should of just got up instead of trying to weave when he was too tired to focus. And I did read the other piece about magic but my system sounded alot simpler in head head so I didnt think it applied as much. For example, a tree nymph can make a leaf tornado appear, but cant work with other materials. All are well known for changing things theyre associated with into other things or even changing other women into one of them, so that can be fun. Source Materials Who and what wields it How to wield it What are the powers? Look at the fight between Voldemort and Dumbledore in the fifth book/movie the one in the Ministry of Magic. The Towers radiate an energy that interferes with circuit boards, so the only expeditions have been with primitive tools. Paint can depend on someones mental state and will Not very exciting, right? When the nanites were first created, their creators by which I dont mean their society, but their specific inventors failed to contain them, resulting in a plague similar to the Grey Death. Both the caster and Given are in prisoned if police find out, but the caster is normally in for 10-30 years. However, as we are all well aware humanity and its constructs are fragile things and some event happens that upsets the norm; war, a terrorist attack on these factories, solar flare, etc Regardless this event causes a change within these factories, the main computer systems get a little bit fried, perhaps even gain a modicum of self-awareness. This is where Im stuck for, to the moment. The power can be anything reasonable, but behind its use is an action that they used to love. Maybe something with an eclipse? Those are the things I thought about, let me know if it helped you improve! Furthermore, it is meant to be mysterious in-story and something that not everyone has. Dispel | Spiritual | Fire | Creature Of course, I wasnt interested in my universe following all of the laws of physics in our universe. Sandersons Second Law Some consider it Her gift, a compensation for taking back the light they harnessed. They are not related in any way. Why should the magic be complete or symmetrical? It requires words of power, and a magical energy called Deathlight, which is obtained by killing ghosts. Holy magic is more reliable, but hard to learn. Do users of demonic magic face persecution? Nature as a such comes in every now and then as well. In time cities arise around these safe harbors, and ever so slowly life begins again. As I said, I was also inspired by depictions of psychic powers in fiction, so I used this idea to explain telepathy (immaterial minds were the same substance, so they could have a way to directly communicate with each other) and telekinesis (if thoughts could generate energy, then maybe they could create enough energy to affect outside objects as well). man to machine interfaces, nanites cluster on nerve ending allowed some individuals to easily interact with ancient tech, or even graft it into their bodies. For your world, I take it the reason most people are magic users is that the common people were all killed. As long as you dont change fundamental things in the universe, theres no problem with making enough changes to slip your magical or psychic powers in. The thing is, I believe that what seems natural in these cases can depend on culture and perhaps even species. And the other main faction (dont have a name for them yet) use mainly defensive magic like using a shield just strong enough to protect them from immediate danger and phasing (though still thinking about what that would entail) and others I cant think of at the moment and still trying to think of more. In addition, exposure to sea water improves magical ability for humans slightly, especially childhood exposure, so the strongest spellcasters are all in coastal areas. If your characters will use magic to resolve that conflict, then establishing a clear set of rules for your magic system is necessary to avoid cheapening tension via contrived magical solutions. They're overall stregenth of that ability is average. You just feel the spell, you dont need to recite anything. The thread is being used up at such a rate that the next generation may have none at all. While I have thought of several different magic systems, Ill present the one I conceived of first. This creative freedom is exciting, but it also requires a lot of world building work to invent a fleshed out and textured fantasy world. I generally call the opposite of rational arbitrary, and that one I just chose arbitrarily, you might say. Robert Asprins MYTH novels actually do a good job limiting magic in a similar way. Learning about one doesnt give a better understanding of another. The primary purpose of a soft magic system is to contribute to the atmosphere of your story. If you dont have enough power to spare, the spell fizzles. This generator will give you 10 random super powers, which can range from many different types of powers, including magic and superhuman powers. Its important to define what the magic user can manipulate and how/why. Thats because Disney movies are based on fairy tales and fairy tales dont write up rules for magic. Creating a system from scratch can feel incredibly overwhelming. Choose the right magic system for your fantasy novel without the headache. Some extra stuff: There could be plots in which some would try to exploit/affect this source of energy but there could be a mental cost, such as suffering and being unable to think straight, for those who had to provide it. I have read an anecdote in which members of a certain tribe classified an orange with a knife, rather than an orange with an apple as the Western researchers expected, reasoning that a knife cuts an orange so they belong together. So, basically it will be a portal (or teleportation, in case if anyone makes the bond from surrounding air blob, for example). A few generations later, some of them did discover the truth, but kept it secret for fear of being blamed by association for the fall, and of people fearing a magical plague happening again. Worldbuilding: Create Brave New Worlds [+Template] - Reedsy In fact, I suspect it might make more sense than what Chris Winkle says in the original article. Eating it makes them very sick, but because of this immune reaction, they can cast more powerful spells. Although they would have to learn it (Nullifying). Aside from this, the only other limitation a mage has in magic is their stamina. In order to fully capitalise on paint one must find a weapon they work well with and a fight style that suits your body. Some well-known examples of hard magic systems: In Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa, magic is like chemistry. It isnt strictly necessary, as I could probably write something interesting without it, but it is extremely convenient). Though a country can have a large number of a certain Primal (such as the Sun or Earth Primals) that doesnt mean that people of other Primals cannot be born in that area. Strength no longer depends on physical brute force but many new factors make it so much more complex. In the Harry Potter universe, magic works in several different ways: These three sets of rules dont appear related to each other. That will keep your characters from going deus ex machina at you (meaning suddenly doing something they shouldnt be able to, just because you need them to). magic system. In The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb, practitioners of the Skill can communicate to each other telepathically. OK that was alot and I totally understand if you choose to use none of my ideas or stopped reading halfway through, these are just my thoughts based on my research on how our world works physically and metaphysically. Sophie, if youre having trouble with elements heres a few ideas but no need to add them. A cunning ex-adventurer named Wlfrilda seeks a company of adventurers to explore the Pikawas Jungle. Its just something to be careful about. I also like the conspiracy, theres not many like that in high fantasy which makes it cool. Like the Force in the first Star Wars Trilogy, which I used as an example, magic in HP is pretty malleable. Eventually, after many long and cold nights, Mother returns the sunlight and the heat, for even in just anger she cannot maintain an imbalance. And that should be all, if anyone can help me with the names of the entire concept, please do. A guarded merchant named Willip seeks a company of . But I dont necessarily want to read about rational magic systems. The story looks like a fantasy story at first, with characters manipulating threads or ley lines. (For the record, though, strong emotion results in power use isnt actually a element I like in a system.). Sympathetic spirits will take pity, accepting minor payment (maybe even the painful memory of seeing said loved one get shot). But the Mother eventually grows tired of such a long and drawn-out abuse of the balance, with the plants greedily hoarding the sunlight for themselves each day; in autumn she begins to draw water out of the plants, more than just the droplets that form on leaves in the morning. Instead, I would work on getting the rational rules for how this nanite magic work nailed down really well, and make sure you have lots of limits, and ways in general for that magic to stop working. Group C can use magic although they have to learn to use it and still have to have enough counsciousness to grab this feeling and utilize it. Do you need sage, or can you use oak leaves instead? This was implemented to further refine (/complicate?) Magic, though commonplace, isnt an essential element in fantasy fiction. Vampires are electromagnetic, which is why they are hurt by sunlight (photoelectric effects), are solid but turn to dust when killed (they actually are dust, and their solid form is a magnetic shell), have superstrength (they can easily lift metal objects, and can use opposing magnetic forces to move their own body quite forcefully). Bewitchment Grenade-- This bomb emits a gas that causes hallucinations and lowered aggression in 99% of affected persons. Generate random names for characters, events, taverns, etc. I went through this process recently with an RPG Ive been working on. I think youre overthinking things a little in your example. There are roughly two magic systems. The mandrake has been considered magical, because its roots do look vaguely like a human being. Meanwhile, most people selected for magic by the nanites didnt know what was happening they might have been able to make better guesses than people now, but next to surviving the end of their world didnt devote a lot of thought to it. I just replied to your last post, but about the different cultures have different ideas of what makes sense, the point about a rational system is that it must make sense to the reader. Of course, like any contract, value is relative and subject to change based on circumstances. Magic in Tolkien is a reflection of _spiritual_ power. They can do things with water, and also move farther away from their source (something other nymphs cannot physically do). Eg- In order to make the static ball move with your mind you need something around you that you can either see or feel is moving to help focus you. I like the fact youve got a cool new way people gain magical abilities- FAR FAR FAR to many high fantasy novels just have it be the usual theyre born with it (theres nothing wrong with that way- heck Ive even used that, its simple and the easiest way to have it)- but I love seeing unique ways besides just being born with it.
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