Another way of looking at sources is from a material point of view. There are pros and cons. Theres a reason why RPGs with team-based fight systems (I use those when playing around with the RPG Maker myself) are often based around the Tank/Damage Dealer/Buffer principle. Readers know little, if anything, about the nature, origin, or limitations of the characters fantastical powers. Bit of background on the names, also random worldbuilding you can skip: Conduits were though to be channeling the energy of the gods, as when they are full they glow slightly but Conduits cant do anything with their energy by themselves. On the other hand, it definitely sounds like Conduits could be oppressed now, because they cant cast magic to defend themselves, and Interferers have a strong incentive to control them. In addition, the spells available for use arent completely based on nonsense, or taught completely irrationally. This allows for more ready, flexible use of magic, but one has to be careful how much they use at once or risk damaging both the spirit and themselves. As the reader, you may never truly understand what can and cant be accomplished with magic, but thats okayyou dont feel you need to in order to enjoy the story. So a Mage might give as payment a concrete memory, like their first day of school or attending a particular play, or something more abstract like the taste of chocolate cake or the pain of stubbing ones toe (spirits are interested in all experiences, even if humans see them as negative). 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 most well known curse is the Demons Mark. Let the dragon ride again on the winds of time. Some well-known examples of hard magic systems: In Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa, magic is like chemistry. Also, how is this energy directed to a specific object and not blocked by everything in the way (including air?) Harry Potters magic is not irrational. If I can find a way to make it work, it would be cool if sound can be harnessed and redistributed as well. And if you plan on writing a whole series of novels about this, you need to work out how it works beforehand, so things stay balanced. Forms of Sky magic include air magic, lightning magic, and weather magic. 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. He focused his will and the energy that boiled in his mind, letting it out like smoothly flowing water into the air. You wouldnt add that fire is good for creative thinking, because that wouldnt fit. Having the users of this power (some of whom actually are human) be its creators wouldnt really work, as I was going with a technology level around modern times for my main setting and this would require extremely advanced technology. 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). Sounds right to me). Theres no way to please them or ask them for help, they just do stuff because they want to (very much like the Greek/Roman or Norse pantheons we have). A cunning ex-adventurer named Wlfrilda seeks a company of adventurers to explore the Pikawas Jungle. In spring, the plants are young and green, and they begin to steal sunlight. Perhaps magic-users know what magic can be used for but are not concerned about why it works that way; for all we know, that could be the way most wizards and witches feel in Harry Potter. Do you think the metaphor works when stretched so far? Mandrake, which is featured in the second book, has historically been associated with witchcraft. The problem would lie in too many types for an already-complex magic system. Entire body effects:: These energies are not strictly bound to non-magical air, water, fire and so on, but definitely could affect each other: real fire produces fire energy, in water there are lot of water energy and so on. While she does talk about how it adds limitations, that doesnt actually seem to be her primary focus. I originally wanted a free form system where just about anything was possible. BORNE: obtain magic through genetics. They are responsible for all the phenomena that occurs in our world, from the spark of a fire to weather changes, to the Four fundemantal forces of the universe, atoms, and even concepts such as Time and Causality. Those are just considerations, however, when it comes to flaws I only really see one. Bewitchment Grenade-- This bomb emits a gas that causes hallucinations and lowered aggression in 99% of affected persons. If you can't combine spells you'll have to work together perfectly, time spells one after the after and make sure you're not in each other's way. These people are often social outcasts. The best frameworks have limitations inherent to the way they operate. Magicians summon magical spirits, like djinni, and command them to do their bidding. While both of these magic systems have mysterious aspects, in general they dont invoke wonder because they are understood. If one were to observe the Vibrations and the way they Flow(this is another process, different from the other Four Laws) it would seem whacky, but they are extremely intricate and complex. Now, for your first comment about my magic system, it is true I might be overthinking it (people have told me that before). Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. Generate random magic shops with items from the d20 SRD. Conduits can technically slow movement down because they pull energy from the environment, but they pull from all around them equally so the effect is minimal. If I may make a suggestion as to how to tie these four together, have it not be the first time this has happened. Do you want to bring in some elemental control? Obviously this is another aspect which heavily depends on your story universe, but most methods can be twisted to fit. Then use the answer to characterize all of your nature spirits. To me, it seemed like I had everything figured out and I could write a story now. Generate random names for characters, events, taverns, etc. (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? The second Twist to my setting is that the magic in my world is in fact technological in origin, Yep, Im doing the whole forgotten tech trope :-), The Grey Death is in fact a invasive form of Nanotechnology, accidentally released into the public. Human muscles actually can produce more energy than our brain allows for us to use because if we used the full force our muscles are capable of, we would risk injuring ourselves. Accio and depulso, for example, are taught one-after-another: pretty straightforward. Electronic telepathy, involving artificial devices that transfer neural information, could work, as scientists are already developing them. He was, um, originally a king that God transformed for his sins into a boar, and his seven sons as piglets, and he had, um, a comb, razor, and scissors between his ears and HE was prophesied to die when he lost them. The person who got the powers is called the Given. Magic that powerful would leave a large fingerprint on the world, and if you dont avoid ultra-powerful characters, it can also break your plot. Water constantly replenished in its cycle, rising up as vapor and plummeting down as rain. So, in my story world theres a plague spreading among the populace known as the Grey Death (somewhat analogous to the Bubonic Plague). Again, you can have variance if there are rules that explain it. This would mean that they are naturally mostly hidden from beings of normal matter, but perhaps they could find ways to interact. Magic isnt real, so it can be anything we want. Is magic inherited, gifted, obtained, or learned? I still have hopes to use it someday, but Im not sure for reasons Ill give soon. For instance, some animals can also cast magic, and they do it pretty much the same way people do. Why should I only have one source of magic? Just because there are rules doesnt mean theyre rational. A person can use their mental conviction to create any of these energy forms by channeling the Ether (Breaking the law of Conservation- Something from Nothing). Thats why in emergencies, people have moved cars by pure muscle power to save someone. Character Power Generator You could add the principle of ley lines to that, meaning a mage would have to gather power from his or her element(s) first to use them. Forms of Star magic include telepathy, telekinesis, mind control, astral projection, and precognition. 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. Im currently working on subtypes to it but I am miserably failing. Not using items doesn't have to mean a magic wielder is always capable of wielding it though. Lets say magic is generated by the vibration of continental plates, and each continental plate vibrates at its own frequency, creating different effects. 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. 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). There could be just one type your system is already very interesting or more than one. 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 life on Terra (my world) is born with a connection to one of these Primals, and what magic they can perform depends on the Primal theyre connected to. Also I thought about it and further developed it. The World we perceive and interact with all stems from the Energy, called Aether, and the Vibrations that come from it, all make up our world. Magic is one of the essential elements of any fantasy story. They weave certain spells out of the fabric of reality. She might exchange one persons hand for anothers, but she might not deem two lives equal. Ocean: Ocean magic draws power from the ocean, and by extension the rivers and lakes that are born from and eventually lead back to it. Though some have tried since the beginning, it has been deemed impossible for a human to harness and redistribute sunlight. However, while I do hope to write something that others enjoy, it is also for myself, and I like thinking about things and would not want to write something logically impossible. I think youre overthinking things a little in your example. this is all super helpful! Create a crater-sized hole in the earth to later redistribute the soil, though, and you might have some problems. Caster is Eco, Given controls animals, which is basically mind control. You could explain telekinesis (telepathy, too, I guess) with having invisible energy arms which are connected to your body and grab the object in question (or create a connection to another being for telepathy). Im probably a little late, but I saw this post and couldnt help but respond. Further into the future two young men of solitude manage to unlock the greatest fighting potential by breaking mental barriers making them the strongest people to exist since Black and White but they have a fight on morality causing a great war. I will admit my system does need more development to round it out some. Forms of moon magic include illusion magic, shadow magic, and spirit magic. Could you perhaps link the tides and the moon? On Star Treks Mediocre Antagonistic Species. All three should work together to create the magic system. Each ability corresponds with role in a gang of thieves. A wizard casts a powerful spell. Im going to flatly say your premise about the HARRY POTTER magic system. They cant use magic at all. But magical things do have specific usesHarry writes essays on the uses of different plants in potion-making, for example. I wouldnt work with spells with such a system. So this sentence: Extreme focus is needed for complicated attacks Practically everyone uses it in their daily life. Its a very complex mathematical theorem, but the really basic idea I understand is that conservation laws and symmetries are connected. Using mana is no different from using up stamina, the more magic you use, the more energy that is used up. Rowling has cherry picked her source material from myths that cross many cultures, Irish, Celtic, Greek, Welsh, Slavic, etc. Visit her new website . A mage activates the contract by speaking the spirits name, with the price being the spirit experiencing everything the mage does while using the spirits power. Why are naiads more rare and powerful than tree nymphs? Ive been working on a magic system in my head, but would like help on a few things. World-Building, Prepare to Write, Revising for Publishing, As bestselling author Brandon Sanderson explains. ;P. I doubt anyone will read this, but I had this flash of inspiration on my commute home today for a magic system for a book thats been spinning in my head for a while. 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). : There's a wide variety of ways to wield magic, ranging from staves, wands and tomes to scrolls, artifacts and created objects and even which body part you use and how many (1 hand, 2 hands, eyes, entire body, etc.). What are those with magical powers called within your story world? Thank you the idea about energy. SO, questions: where is the magic energy coming from in the environment? Mana manipulation is a basic form of magic (though anyone can learn this ability through time and training without doing magic at all. Theyre bodies cant store energy, thats a Condit thing. The term magical effects refers to the ways in which magic influences and alters the world around it. Specific effects include causing earthquakes, preventing earthquakes, and turning people to stone. The flavor might be of magic based on communication with spirits, although these spirits do have to obey at least some physical laws. Below, Ive outlined six general steps you can follow to forge an effective magic system for your story. Eminently true and a tension-building moment to remind your readers that your heros magic depends on this very emotional energy that is at this point of crisis so much more likely to be BURNED OUT or at the very least, already at their maximum ability to deal with well, EMOTIONALLY even without the added stress of having to consciously Tap Into Them EVEN MORE to get them to the point of directed personal connection to the whole of your entire current being which is necessary to actually use them magically. Harmony: how multiple different vibrations intermingle and interact, depending on the previous too, some Vibrations can overpower another one document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Become a patron and chat with us on Discord. Since paint depends on your mental state and will, if while using paint you have a sudden elevation of toxic emotions (extreme anger, fear, wish for destruction, narcissism, grief, blood-lust) your paint will go against the body causing a complete collapse (your senses null forcing you into a coma), a clear breakthrough (all thoughts and feelings stop and you focus on one thing with a slightly heightened power), a poisoned mind (you attack friend and foe alike as the paint starts to corrode your mind) or a transformation (into a monster). So thats where the other two paragraphs of my previous comment come in. Because the setting is divided into nations that correspond with the elements, the Avatar is the only person who symbolically belongs to all the nations. Gandalf didnt use his powers to destroy the One Ring, so readers didnt need to know how his magic worked to find the ending of The Lord of the Rings to be believable. Its just something to be careful about. Our Plane falls on the 3rd Dimension, being far away from perceiving the World. :-), Thanks! I think that should cover it, and I hope to get more advice to help me become a better creator. 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(?) but humanity is creative and designs massive jammers that are able to disable the nanites that enter within X radius of them. The former is more mysterious, dangerous, and wild, able to do far more but without much control by those who have little experience. Divine magic is often more powerful/useful, but isnt always reliable. Nevertheless, you will always introduce something which, as far as we know, does not exist in reality. Without the explanation you added (glutton for punishment), that sounds more like someone who consumes a lot. In general, hard magic should solve problems for your protagonists, while soft magic should cause problems for your protagonists. That is, I guess why telepathy which requires touching is easiest to explain, since you can direct your energy into the other body through your skin. 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). If you send out powers, your brain stays in one piece and in the same place. Little fun fact: the Greek god Hermes was, among other things, the god of thieves and of merchants. Their eyes are blinded and their organs fail. Demonic magic is based on bad and Angelic magic is based on good. but gods, spirits, and demons can. that were made by the gods. Sure, go ahead. Magic systems can even serve as a vehicle for theme, exploring topics such as power, privilege, oppression, and greed. From this point onwards paint is incorporated into science and technology. Caster is Combustial, Given is Earth and rock lost nanotechnology (difficult to justify how that would be forgotten) Moon magic is cyclic in its strength, strongest during a full moon and weakest during the new moon, and is also weak during the day. Maybe death magic is evil and life magic is good, and both fit the theme of controlling peoples lives. 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. Ask yourself what kind of problems magic will cause your protagonists, and whether your antagonist will use magic to achieve their goals. Who knows! In a way you can see it as choosing between having 2 (or more) people using normal weapons to fight an enemy together. Perhaps, the basic power influenced by the caster is stronger at a certain time of the month (new moon or full moon for instance) or of the day (noon, midnight, sundown, sunrise). If they need to gather energy beforehand, they cant just build a wall of ice without any preparation (which limits their powers). The key thing to remember when creating a soft magic system is that it should create problems for your protagonists, rather than solving problems for them. Magicians train to control different aspects of reality, but a magician is also constrained to the limits of reality. If you want you can also make a difference between Nyads and Nereids the usual river and spring nymphs and large powerful Sea nymphs. Ideas for Original & Unique Magic Systems : r/fantasywriters - reddit Thats because we know dragon glass can kill them and both weapons were forged by dragon flame. This generator will give you 10 random super powers, which can range from many different types of powers, including magic and superhuman powers. 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. If a character casts spells with a combination of substances, dance moves, and symbols drawn in charcoal, assign a role to each component. Magic does exist and it follows rules is the first rule of a rational system. A Guide to Writing Magic Systems | The Fantasy Hive Decay would be speeding up entropy, life would be slowing it down or trying to instill some kind of anti-entropy into the world. Potion-making probably would make more sense, if there was more talk about the properties of the ingredients and what they do. In case if something enters inside such bonded blob it will exit on the other side of the bond. Are there multiple types of magic users? Because the powers are not very hard to control, Givens are feared and supposedly taken care of by the government. Nonhumans might think in ways that make little sense to humans. Though this is all tentative, Id probably categorize it into two types: warp threads (like the structural threads you mentioned) for physical spells and weft threads for nonphysical spells. Hey there and welcome to my site. The only other limiting factor to the magic is that in order to produce the energy in the first place, is that you need Inspiration to help channel your thoughts & familiarity. However, those impulses are weak, and air is not a good conductor, so I dont think such a detection would work (Im not even sure in water). What I dont agree with is the idea that there is somehow an objective way to determine whether the rules of magic make sense or not, as magic isnt real and what is considered natural is culture-dependent.
Florida Adderall Prescription Laws 2021, How Long After Taking Ponstan Can I Drink Alcohol, Pickleball Rankings 2021, County Of San Diego Executive Team, Shadow Health Comprehensive Assessment Education And Empathy, Articles F