Whether they're a driving force in the plot or a lingering presence to enrich the world, Magic Systems can be one of the the most defining features in a Fantasy book. Maybe you prefer the thoughtful logic and depth of Brandon Sanderson's Allomancy-- The kind of system where the wonder comes not from the power itself but by discovering new applications of it. Or maybe you like the free, fast and loose Tolkien-ish (esk, ion?), who's only rule is "Be Gandalf, Help Hobbit".
Either way, let me know what kind of Magic Systems you like, how you go about constructing them and what rules you follow when doing so! I'll be sure to throw a post here myself-- I think this is a pretty loaded topic that ought to spark some meaty conversations.
Magic Systems
12 posts in this topic.
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Well, that is a pretty big question. Here's the short answer:
In my world, magic is (for the most part) energy. Every living being (and some non-living entities as well) have innate energy or a mana pool. This mana pool is bigger in some beings than others- it mostly varies by individual but can tend to certain sizes by race/heritage, etc.
Here are the 2 basic rules:
1) You cannot create nor destroy energy/matter, simply transform it (except with one deity who can)
2) With the exception of rule 1, anything is possible if there is enough energy and someone/something who can appropriately wield it.
Casting a spell consists of harnessing and guiding mana. Sometimes people with large mana pools will spontaneously cast something accidentally when in a threatening situation.
That is the short version of magic in my world. Pretty freeform. -
@Featherstone
Ah, I see-- So essentially you use equivalent exchange but using mana as the fuel for that equivalent exchange.
Actually, an idea I've been toying with recently is a Magic System-- Quite a chaotic one-- That sort of works on the same principal. Nothing is created or destroyed. Rather, if a wielder states a task and the world will violently change to accompany it, usually in an incredibly unpredictable and dangerous manner.
For example, if a character wanted to get over a wall, the magic may switch gravity, or pull all surrounding heat inwards to melt the wall.
Anyway, that's one of my random ideas, figured I'd get the ball rolling. -
@Catalyst: Sounds like fun to play with!
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Even though I'm a fan of both Brandon Sanderson (hard magic) and every Harry Potter book ever published (soft magic), I really enjoy reading about a magic system that ties into that world's science and has set rules. (It still bothers me and has bothered me since I was seven and picked up my first HP book, just a little bit, that I still don't know why saying some words and waving a wand makes stuff happen)
In fact I doubt I'd be able to write anything like Tolkien's magic system without trying to explain everything as I go along. xD
My own magic system pulls little bits of inspiration from a lot different stuffs (mostly Brandon Sanderson and some from FMA's alchemy). It's basically another realm behind the physical one, known as Veil (kinda like the world of thoughts). Some people are less attached to the physical realm and can slip into Veil for a few moments. This allows them to enter another person's mind and even conjure things in the physical realm- at the cost of their own sanity and strength. -
Magic is not clearly defined in my world, and as such is extremely varied in its usage. I suppose the closest thing I could equate it to is like some sort of muscle. Of course that's not entirely applicable, but it does help explain a few things. No, not everyone can use magic, and many magicians are not sure why (the rest of them don't bother wondering). A person's magic has limits and can be trained or strained. It would seem humans are the most receptive to magic, but it also means they are the weakest towards it. Very few Orcs are able to use magic, but in return they are much more resistant to magic than their slightly smaller and pinker counterparts. It is said that magic originated in Enis when Drun taught orcs and humans how to use totems. Totems were a simple and crude way of channeling magic, but spelled the victory for humans in the war against orcs. Magical historians consider the totem to be the predecessor of the wand and staff. Of course, in later times people learned how to channel magic without such things. These are not the only ways to use magic however, and other methods could range from tattoos to tubas.
Colleges and institutes to study and learn magic have been constructed, and while there are practical uses for magic many high-level wizards nowadays are more interested in the theories and study of magic as a concept. At one point, some consider that magic begins from the level of thought, and analyzing what you're doing can improve your chances of success. For example, a pyromancer can focus on the percentage of oxygen to ignite in the air and control the air currents to move their fireball. However, this theory seems to be debunked through the fact that many people do not understand how their magic works. Some of the more powerful magic practices seem to draw power from different places. While some use their own energy, this leaves great strain on the body since you are taking your own energy and strength to power the spell. Some use enchanted objects or things like other souls trapped in objects, while others take it from more bizzare places. For instance, Zebulon claims he draws his arcane power from a being trapped in a different dimension, hidden away from the light of mankind. Through a strange combination of portal magic and energy absorbption, this is highly effective. I would not recommend this at home though, since it comes with non-refundable madness.
In conclusion, magic as a system can be confusing to people trying to get to the bottom of it. It's a question that has driven many a good researcher mad, and all you really need to know is “It works.” To the rulers, magic is a great political tool and possibly an untapped resource. To the student, magic is something that needs a paper written about it after just one more drink. To the thief or mercenary, it's a tool that can give them an edge or spell an untimely demise. -
I really like all types of magic, use wise. The book I'm writing is in a multiverse, so I have the luxury of having different types of magic depending on the world.
In one world, magic is very freeform, having almost no guidelines or limits. If someone with magic sets their mind to it, they can use almost any kind. Of course, some types of magic come easier to people than others, so people generally choose to specialize.
On another world, magic is completely specialized. People with magic only have access to one variety (necromancy, pyromancy, telepathy, etc.). Pretty straight forward, to me at least. In that world, having magic is the best way to gain political value. Since mages are rare, they are nobility by default.
Alchemy is used sometimes as well, as a kind of blend of science and magic. Alchemists can have over all very weak magic, they just need a little magic; what's far more important is that they're smart.
One type of magic that I really like is magic being used to augment technology. I use that, too, but I think the best example is in Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl. In it, fairies have magic. As a result, they became more advanced than humans and so have learned to use tech centuries ahead of what we have. I really like how this was done, because the magic that fairies use isn't very strong and it's definitely specialized, so it was used as more of a boost for their technological growth. For instance, their guns don't use magic, they're nuclear, but they wouldn't have been able to develop nuclear technology without magic giving them an edge over human inventors.
The one rule that can't go when it comes to magic is MAGIC CAN'T OVERRIDE PHYSICS. Magic is an extension of physics as we know it. Take teleportation, it isn't just jumping from point A to point B, it's bending the fabric of the universe so they're in the same place. The effect is the same, but I never want to use magic as a all-powerful thing. -
My magic system is... Complicated. It's passed on through genetics, and there are three kinds of magic in my world, each with its own rules. I'm not gonna go to deep, but my main kind of magic uses the six elements, fire, water, air, earth, light, and shadow. But you can't summon them from nowhere, for example, you can't just make plants grow from nothing. But there are limitations to it based on energy. This isn't even the most complicated!
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I basically go off of Skyrim's magic system, with a few of my own spells.
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There are three magic systems in my world, depending on what species we're talking about.
One magic system is used by this group of people called the Alis. Their magic is purely elemental, and there are six different types: wind, ice, light, water, earth, and fire. The system itself is fairly simple. They can manipulate their element if it's already there. For example, a Fire Alis can control a candle while a Light Alis can push around the light particles to create shadows or bright orbs. They also can create their element, but that creation is minimal. They have to "charge" their power by exposing themselves to their element. How charged they are is shown by glowing lines on their arms. At fully charged, the lines stretch from their fingertips all the way up to their collarbone. Each family of Alis has their own unique shape, and you inherit your mother's markings.
The Ukayan magic system is herbal based. They create potions and flower crowns for powers, like traditional witchcraft.
The Igni magic system is shapeshifting. Like werewolves, Ignis turn into some sort of predatory creature as soon as the moon rises. For any predator, there is an Igni counterpart. Bears, cougars, snakes, as long as it's a land-animal. When Ignis transform into their animal counterpart, their mind doesn't change. While they're human, they still keep some of their animal traits, such as teeth, eyes, reflexes, and senses. -
Magic works different for most races.
Paradigms are creatures who are able to gain energy (both physical and magical) from human wickedness, or feeding them Blasphemies, a special type of trash that well... Comes from your orifices.
The Kelisot is a race similar to angels, the inverse of a Paradigm, gaining power from the goodness and positivity from humans. They use this to empower the Borlix Circle, which is used to resurrect a god. -
For me Tolkien (ish) magic, is definetly what will always be used. As much as I want to create some complex fancy system of magic words, or spells, or something, I've always felt like, if you can explain magic, its not really magic at all it's more like a new science, so for me if someone can be 'taught' how to be a wizard, it reduces the role and power of magic because it makes it more of a skill, than a unique ability.
But anyway, maybe that's just the Tolkien fan in me.
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