Second, look through all the essential pieces of spell creation and casting, and think how the casting process might fail at each step. So I know a few things. When an earthbender is blocked by a mountain, we know that with enough effort, they could create a tunnel through it. A mages magic can be stronger or weaker depending on how much access to a Primal they have at a given time. :-D. So the idea was born out of the fact that in a lot of computer games, playing a Mage just doesnt feel very Magey. Its implied humans discovered the thread and abandoned technology altogether, becoming more and more dependent on magic over the next few hundred years. Note that this does NOT prove energy is conserved (at least I dont think so), it means that if energy is not conserved, the laws of physics must change over time this applies even if magic is involved. That Interferer found others like them and went around killing the common people in revenge for shunning them and taking Conduits prisoner (to use them for power). This ancient Wise One observed the natures tendency towards self-balancing and saw it as an Eternal Law. 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. When you suddenly decide to change the way magic works or it looks like it, because youre winging it with the system readers get unhappy. Usually, magic comes from magic users, the gods, magical creatures, or a specific substance. All magic is governed strictly by the Law of Equivalent Exchange, which says that in order to obtain something, something else of equal value must be lost. When the protagonists need to create something, the readers understand exactly what materials they need to sacrifice. Angelic and demonic can stay, but dont over-simplify things. It is divided into two domains: the stone, minerals, and metals of the land, and the flora and fauna of the natural world. Generally that means their strengths and weaknesses will be roughly equivalent. Tell us about them in the comments below. Aside from this, the only other limitation a mage has in magic is their stamina. This helped me separate my thoughts and put them into their own categories. Other limits include magic types (fire versus water for example), power restricting energies (magical or other), bodily energies (lack of food/sleep/etc), skill level, curses and much more, most of which will again depend on your story universe. Theres nothing wrong with using classic tropes, but if you want to stand out in the crowded world of fantasy, youll need to learn how to use them in an innovative and unique way. The Living Mother dreads chaos and wants balance. Now, to those who contain their power. Origami, cutting, painting, burning. If youre working with leylines and the fabric of reality you should model the whole earth as a living thing(as it is)but not necessarily conscious, although that could add tension and the leylines and threads could be like vains in an interconnected system that gets clogged from the knots relating to all manner of natural and unnatural disasters/phenomenon and just like any living thing this system would naturally resemble a circulatory/lymphatic system with currents and nodes to regulate and cleanse said currents. Im finding that my worldbuilding and plotting inform each other more in this story than others Ive worked on. Dont be intimated by the often academic bent to the discussion around theme. Which is why you need to attach a heavy price. Harmony: how multiple different vibrations intermingle and interact, depending on the previous too, some Vibrations can overpower another one I checked it out, and indeed it seems to just be another name for obsidian. Ive also seen your above comment. (Known collectively as the Nasuverse after their writer, Kinoko Nasu) Namely, by this articles definition of rational magic, would the magic in the Nasuverse count as an example of a rational magic system? Its easy to get excited and bite off more than you can chew, but youll do better if you focus on fewer things. I want the magic of the world to feel whimsical (or horrifying) and ever present, but not the cure all to every problem. I feel that doing so, would provide some much needed structure as I go through the worldbuilding process but Im worried that it could make my Mages feel less wizardy, and more like X-men? Remember that energy doesnt dispense when its used it only takes on a different shape. The latter, sorcerers, actually do not have magic ability. So, for instance, lets say you decide water spirits are more powerful than plant spirits because their aspect is more basic and elemental, whereas plants are more complex organisms that feed off of water. By making sure magic has costs, you can force your protagonists to be clever and resourceful when they solve problems. Its unclear whether there are any other self-casting old magic spells besides this one. This system was mostly me being annoyed that magic usually violates the Law of Conservation of Energy, so I made a system built around that principal (until it spiraled out of control) We've covered limitations in several parts already, whether it's how powerful spells are or how much power you can gain, but it's important to emphasize limitations again. We also have a step-by-step guide to building magic systems if you want to review the components of a magic system. Your story may also include a chosen one thats extra special. A puddle could be vaporized at will, only to have the water redistributed at a later time, again at the will of the one controlling the exchange. As Sanderson explains, magic primarily exists to create conflict in fiction. (Find out more). He shrugged and complained, feeling too tired to trudge away from comfort. I understand your point. Thats not a rational system, because theres no understandable rules to it. moving more slowly, using other abilities less effectively, taking more hits), and the hero tries and fails to use the ability when theyre already at their limit, then we come to understand exhaustion as a real limitation that doesnt just go away as needed. If theyre distracted, panicking, drunk, or otherwise unable to focus the spell wont work. Basically the spirits want more knowledge of the human world, to experience it through human eyes. But to elaborate a bit further The name Grey Death was inspired by the Bubonic Plague pandemic of the 1300s, known as the Black Death because, lets face it, thats a kickass name! On top of this, theres teleportation I still need to consider, which comes with its own host of issues. This was long enough ago to be remembered as an advanced society falling, but its manner of advancement being conflated with the magic that exists now, and most specific knowledge of it lost. A being of a higher Plane has the opposite effect, their presence and consciousness being far too much for the Universe to handle, and so it would just collapse on itself wherever the being would go. Holy magic is more reliable, but hard to learn. Those who dont contain their power are simple called Unchained, with the name of their source before or after the Unchained, if you want to designate it further. If a villain is gloating about killing the heros friend, the hero gets really angry, they attack with powers drawn from their newfound fury, and then the villain *still* crushes them before mocking them for their pathetic temper tantrum, then the audience isnt going to establish a connection between sudden emotional outbursts and conflict resolution. This article will help you write a magic system for your fictional world that readers will remember long after theyve turned the last page. If most people are one or the other, and Conduits are rare, then most Conduits will also be the children of Interferers. Make magic tricky and fickle. Could perhaps some or all of them be elements alongside the classic four? 9. If you make all of your spells fit together, you'll need less foreshadowing. Who knows! So I would greatly appreciate some constructive feedback back. All you need are the right ingredients, follow the right steps, and have the right mindset. Most of the time, this yearning leads them to the Towers, where they are never seen again. Once you examine all the implications of this change, youll discover their powers are different indeed. It has been decided that the human body is too impure of a vessel, being asynchronous with the rhythms of nature, to successfully accomplish this with sunlight. [The post scarcity podcast was also very helpful.]. Interferers can make things happen because when they add energy to the system, it is concentrated in one place. All of the Aether and Souls stem from the Sephirot, and at the same time are all one and the same. The magic of Avatar feels like the natural result of a different set of physics, whereas the magic of Harry Potter feels like the arbitrary inventions of an author. This allows for the reader to know what is or isnt possible. Or you could think of the world like a house, a house has wood beams to hold the roof up, pipes to run water, electrical lines to power appliances, etc. Not at all. If you were to grab a stranger off the street and ask them what magic was, well first they'd probably mention someone like Penn and Teller, but once you clarified and said you meant magic in fiction, you'd very likely hear at least a few of these words: spell, wizard, fireball, enchantment, wand, curse, potion, witch, fairy, monster . Blood is messy and sticky and gets in the carpets and really why would anyone who doesnt consume it like a vampire want it as payment? I think youre overthinking things a little in your example. Using this site means trees will be planted. Because minds were immaterial, physical brain damage wouldnt really affect thoughts, personality, and so on, instead mostly things such as the ability to move and regulate basic bodily functions. The brain does use relatively weak energy for thinking, so that would not reach far. Used by the Matrix and Mage: The Ascension, some magic systems are based on the idea that reality is more malleable than it seems, allowing some to bend it out of shape. They can only work through people that do their will voluntarily. It takes many years to master. And this is why I post my ideas on places like this someone will ask the really obvious questions I forgot to ask myself. We make up terms when we think there isnt an existing one that will do, but we do try to use existing terms when we can. Thats all I can think of at this very moment and I dont want to make this comment any longer. The first step is building a metaphysical framework for how and why magic works. For some systems it could be obvious: for example, as I understand, in the Avatar those guys can control existing non-magical things (water, air, fire, earth). You just feel the spell, you dont need to recite anything. As you can see there's a lot to explore, but if you're looking for names you're at the right place. Earth magic is strongest during Spring. Look at your three lists and try to find patterns and connections. The Chinese traditional elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, a different classification scheme that is equally arbitrary. Although they would have to learn it (Nullifying). Some will desire fresh milk, and it will not be possible to have fresh milk for all, unless we have the bottles of Rhinnon Rhin Barnawd, wherein no liquor ever turns sour. Its important to define what the magic user can manipulate and how/why. People who practice this form of magic are called lucalurgists. The plants begin to die, and in dying change color and surrender the rest of their water to Mother. Thanks again for the advice! : However, we can only identify that its missing because the system is logically consistent as a whole, even if it isnt perfect in every depiction. Perhaps broken fingers mean you won't be able to wield magic or maybe magic itself can block another form of magic or the magical energies within a person. Is magic inherited, gifted, obtained, or learned? However, a few fantastical powers can go a long way toward livening up many fantasy stories. Where does it source its power? Perhaps the background magic I mentioned earlier could be involved. In the TV show Im writing, there are dryads, nymphs, and naiads, which are all parts of nature. Start by looking for further implications of what youve already established. You should take a look at Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality.Google search it; itll come right up. Some ideas are more fleshed out than other, if thats saying much. Cant help but feel its lacking in creativity and complexity, but thats for another day. For Interferers to use magic energy, they have to maintain physical contact with a Condit, and if they lose contact they have to use up their remaining energy quickly, as it will burst out of them randomly otherwise (in a few minutes). If only a portion of the population can wield magic it could also mean the magic wielders are either the elite or the lower class. 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. Would the odds be equal or would the magic wielder always have the upper hand? What dangers does magic pose to the user, whether directly or because the use of magic is scorned or envied by society? When a mage makes a contract with a spirit, what are they paying with? In the Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo, all Grisha have to serve the King. I know its been a whole since you made this post, so I was just curious to how things have developed since then? Trying to do anything that involves pushing against or even breaking natural law will require aid from outside forces. The Goddess of Exchanges would be less random, but you wouldnt be able to reliably make exchanges with her. To do this, I would need to work out whether adding the sorts of new particles and forces needed for this scenario to what exists in real life can be done in some mathematically consistent way. Each soul has its Sephirot, which are both original and separate from the fist Sephirot. You should understand why some spells have symbols in common but different dance moves. If you go with that, I really hope youll have a scene where your mage character (or one of them) sees the empty shells that older mages have become, their very last memory bargained away in exchange for a little power. But think about trying to hold water cupped in your hand; its still difficult. As far as your magic/psychic system goes, I can understand why you put so much thought into it. In actual fact, some of the infected survive the Grey Death. That cheapens the story and makes it less exciting to read. Pushing themselves past their limit can lead to exhaustion and have them pass out, or in extreme cases, using up too much mana can kill a person through over-exertion. Been developing a magic system for a story of mine thats in its early development stages. Without this action, the person is consumed by the power, turning into a brute beast, only wanting to destroy those with more power then themselves. If your mage has a limit on their powers (and having a human with unlimited powers is probably going to break a story, at least with that human being the hero), the limit must always be the same or you need to give a reason why it is different (the character is exhausted and thus cant muster as much magic or the character took a specific potion which boosted their powers, for instance). I wanted to try my hand at creating a really fleshed out magic system for fun, and never planned on making a story or doing anything with it. Magic can be taught and learned, but like the Arts or sciences, whether someone is good at magic or not depends on their inherent skill, talent, and dedication to their training. In addition, there are no boundaries on what magic could theoretically do in the Potterverse. If you don't combine spells you'll have 2 (or more) people fighting together, but not as one being. Random Magic Shop Generator. Otherwise, the humans world will fall apart. Havent figured out the second point quite yet. Were he an adult already, thered be hardly a limit for him, apart from morals. In my world, magical ability isnt something youre born with, or ordained its contracted, and the Mages Guild, who hold tremendous political sway, (as their magical abilities provide a fundamental key to the functioning of the expansionist Empire that serves as the primary backdrop/Antagonist) is whisking people away in an attempt to stop that fact becoming common knowledge and keep their power consolidated. Accio and depulso, for example, are taught one-after-another: pretty straightforward. It could also be from astral radiation or human emotion. Spells are also incredibly varied, which makes adding randomized details a . Or just think up what you want to have be things that good and evil magic can do, put them in categories, and decide which good magic categories are opposites to evil magic categories, and create new areas to fill holes. Mind energies are bit different: they could be bonded with any type of energy. I think the easiest way to explain how magic (any kind, really) affects the world is through will. 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. If you want to create a hard magic system, you need to create a specific logic that serves as the foundation for the entire system. And, by the way, you actually can use parts of wizards in potions, and theyre used in pivotal parts of at least 2 books: the Polyjuice Potion uses part of the person you want to transform into, and the potion used to give Voldemort a body has bone of the father flesh of the servant [and] blood of the enemy. Here are some examples of magical sources: In Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan, magic comes from the gods. Do you prefer planning things out logically (hard magic), or going with your gut (soft magic)? All three should work together to create the magic system. Spellcasters cant blow up planets, because obviously that would take too much energy. If you fail to understand the role that magic will play in your story and develop your system accordingly, then you run the risk of undercutting the conflict and tension that keep readers turning pages. Wavelength: Determines how strong the affect it has 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. Are there other applications that would make sense? There is a bit more magic involved in the storyline, but just for that part, do you think that all makes sense? This has been extremely helpful! Because soft magic is often used by characters other than the protagonist, you should think about who the wielders will be. If travelling to the tower of the Dark Mage takes three weeks on horseback, there should be a good reason if you tell the reader the way back only took a couple of hours. A strong starting point in order to define your world as "other" to our own is selecting your world's name. Probably best if I give you an example. Ill respond to that one later. Dryads are usually depicted as tree spirits, or tree nymphs. Fast forward a couple thousand years and some genius manges to find a way to control paint by collecting it into a special bottle. High Magic and Low Magic. That boar, the Twrch Trwyth? If you havent seen it yet, I also recommend looking at my other post on magic systems: https://mythcreants.com/blog/how-to-create-an-eclectic-magic-system/ its better suited to creating effects that are varied and complex. Hi there, I know this blog was posted a while ago but Ive only just found it and its exactly the kind of thing Ive been looking for, plus Ive seen more recent comments here so hopefully theyll be some people still interested. Ill consider what you said and make some changes. I think rule based magic is important for worldbuilding, not novel writing. was really misleading. We were ripped out of the (literal) fabric of reality, shaped into a forbidden-to-visit pocket dimension. How does this constitute a magic system? Lastly, I think the magical structure and logic might not be as fully fleshed out because the focus of of the story is not on that. The Mages dont rule, but merely maintain a beneficial relationship with those that do, but the Empires form of transportation (and thus commerce) is almost entirely dependent upon magical meansSo what does the Imperium bring to the party? Eg- How fast you can make the ball move (The heavier the object the slower it moves) Those are just considerations, however, when it comes to flaws I only really see one. The elemental magic of Avatar is a great example of splitting the same form of magic into different types. Wizards arent included in this; as far as we know, you cant just simmer a wizard in a pot for a few days and end up with a magic potion. You have the tank, often a warrior, who has great armour and a lot of health and will draw attacks and take the damage. Thanks to this article I have been able to advance my magic system up from the basics and I just want to run this by someone who is not me: My magic system is called Paint. Anger Heat. (somewhere I have a document outlining Philosophical associations between Elements). would be for instance the power to congure spectral weapons like a sword or bow and arrow, though they are powerful magic and would be taxing on ones body and life. The biggest limitation is the training. Yes, that kind of priest would merely be concerned with problems with the locals, then their holy magic can be far more generic and not tied to a god. Offensive like elemental magic and short time manipulation magic etc. Theyre bodies cant store energy, thats a Condit thing. Another limit would be limited ability of the user, like Gummy Bear who uses magic, but half of the time cant remember the spell, doesnt find the right one, or just does it wrong. I want to encourage writers and worldbuilders to stray from this formula. Something as seemingly insignificant as a casting time thats five seconds longer has a huge impact on whether mages can handle unexpected problems. Their eyes are blinded and their organs fail. Why is it important for a hard magic system to have rules? a disease caused by the nanites For example do you want evil spellcasters to raise undead? This is harder to work with, because the divine are technically spellcasters themselves, and incredibly powerful ones. Terrifying. This is only my second serious piece of writing, so its really encouraging to hear stuff like that from someone like you. Rewriting and revising is what turns the idea into something worth reading. You neednt appropriate any that have extant adherents, of course, but looking at what people believe can be a touchstone for how an invented system of magic could work. Also, I read that chemical changes play an important role, and those probably cant be detected externally at all. Weft threads are what complete the fabric, what is woven through the warp to add the unique characteristics of the fabric (e. g., a 3/1 twill for denim or a satin weave for silk). I know this is an old article, but it inspired me to create my magic system. A guarded merchant named Willip seeks a company of . Magical properties are randomly given to some creatures and elements (eg: Fire breathing dragons, Gem stones that arent affected by gravity)- this type of magic is Irational but still has rules (depending on each specific example), But the most common form of magic is the one humans can control- this is a rational hard magic that is all about Energy, our ability to create & manipulate it. Stuff falls down, not up, for instance. There are 391 different powers and variations in this generator, so you're bound to find one you like. 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. Choose the right magic system for your fantasy novel without the headache. The best frameworks have limitations inherent to the way they operate. The expeditions that have come back tell of fantastical landscapes, filled with mystic flora and fauna. I also thought about adding elementals (People that impersonate a specific emotion and can change when overloaded with emotion) and some lore. For example, if your characters can telekinetically control objects, your story will be more interesting if each character can only control a specific type of object, rather than being able to control anything they want. Limits can come in all sorts of varieties, the ones we've covered are: how to wield it (being disarmed), how to gain power, power limit, limited power source, cost of powers, the ability to combine powers or not, racial differences and whether or not you're born with a specific amount of power and talent or not. However, most people wont deviate from what they know to work to avoid wasting their time on a failed ritual or potentially hazardous consequences. Professor of Political Theory in Star Trek. This is a pretty nice article, and it has inspired me to think more about the magic systems I create. There are, of course, drawbacks. I really like all the terms you use on this site, theyre so helpful and clarifying. If you are not creating a game, where you want a firemage be as powerful as a dark wizard for balancing sake, your magic doesnt need to be symmetrical. a conspiracy to hide everyone selected (difficult to justify how they manage this) A damned if you do, damned if you dont scenario. Isnt that glove from the Aladdin TV series? Nonhumans might think in ways that make little sense to humans. The magic system in my current work-in-progress, Lady Legacy, serves as an allegory for ambition and the dangerous pursuit of glory, with magic exacting a heavy emotional toll on the user. Mana manipulation is a basic form of magic (though anyone can learn this ability through time and training without doing magic at all. If I may make a suggestion as to how to tie these four together, have it not be the first time this has happened. Sun magic: Sun magic draws power from the heat and energy of the sun. How much of it might people attribute to the magic, and how much might they attribute to simply becoming blas in the face of so much death? Thank you! And after reading this article, Ive found there is one important question missing: How exactly magic affects the world? A staple magical element in The Way of Kings is the personification of human emotions and ideas into living creatures called spren. Generate random magic shops with items from the d20 SRD. Other than that your spells can be pretty much anything, from destructive to healing spells, elemental to demonic spells and from conjurations to enchantments. 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. Over time more Blacks appeared and White got lonely so they split their body into seven colours. Like gods, you can ask spirits for help. Im not a novel writer, but I am a worldbuilder. This creative freedom is exciting, but it also requires a lot of world building work to invent a fleshed out and textured fantasy world. Honestly, I cant think of a reasonable or cohesive cap on what it can do so I hope the limitations will balance it out. All three should work together to create the magic system. Almost all of the magic in Avatar: The Last Airbender is clearly linked to the same rules. As fun as fantastical powers can be to write, crafting your magic system with care is key. You need to lay down rules and follow them (which is where both Rowlings use of magic in Harry Potter and Lucas use of the Force in the original trilogy fail). Maybe there are a few things that the sorcerer cant do, but basically its just whatever they want to happen, happens. Like it doesnt work on them or around them? Are there different types of magic, or did magic diversify over time? Interferers cant store energy like Conduits, so they have to use all of what they have in a few minutes or it explodes out of them randomly. Bestselling Author Joanna Penn Compares, How to Write a Book: The Best Creative Writing Courses Online, Self-Publishing 101: A Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing Your Idea With the World, ProWritingAid Presents: Crime Writer's Week, Free Giveaway: The Ultimate Crime Writer's Toolkit, The 25 Best Fantasy Books & Novels of All Time: Our Top Picks, Omnipotent Characters: Why Marvel Sidelined Thor, Vision, and Captain Marvel, Six Tried and Tested Methods for Writing a Novel, How to Outline Your Novel With Scrivener's Outliner and Corkboard, Fantasy Writers' Week Premium Hub: Presented by ProWritingAid, Hear from bestselling authors and educators like, Learn from bestselling authors and educators in live sessions, Master outlining, writing, editing, publishing and more, Meet like-minded fantasy writers in networking events.