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. Do you think the metaphor works when stretched so far? They instead study the laws of nature and learn to manipulate them. The Harry Potter series is a splendid examplewe know what spells Harry can do, while we never find out the exact bounds of Voldemorts magical abilities. I've kept the descriptions short in order to mimic descriptions you'd often find in games and other franchises. Of course, I wasnt interested in my universe following all of the laws of physics in our universe. The best frameworks have limitations inherent to the way they operate. But at extremely high levels (Demi god level) the breeze might be enough. Source Materials Who and what wields it How to wield it What are the powers? Like this, the Avatar system makes it clear where the limits are, for everyone but the Avatar. 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. We'll also throw some brainstorming questions your way to help get those magical creative juices flowing! However, I am suspecting my response to it will be pretty long, and I have other things I need to work on. (Storm God = sky domain = bird ? Most priests wouldnt be any more concerned with gods than the average person. The purpose of soft magic is simply to create a feeling of adventure, and wonder. These structural integrity threads can be used to apply physical force to something. Hey, dont know if anyones still commenting on this but here goes. Harmony: how multiple different vibrations intermingle and interact, depending on the previous too, some Vibrations can overpower another one I agree. He has three great articles on building them, named after what he calls his three laws. However, you can mix pieces of magic plants and animals in a pot and get powerful effects. So Id rather go science fiction, or full-on, its my world, I make the rules magic. 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. Well, there is the Restricted Section, which includes books on the Dark Arts, I made a magical system right after I read this article and this is what I came up with: Magic is powered by emotion and certain emotions affect your environment in different ways. Also, how is this energy directed to a specific object and not blocked by everything in the way (including air?) I love the way this discussion has blossomed! See the LessWrong articles Universal Fire and Universal Law for one explanation of how all physical laws are tied together. Ask yourself how you can prevent the magic-wielders in your story from becoming too powerful, and what costs would post interesting challenges for your characters. You can negotiate with them about services and prices, that is, if they listen to you at all. Telekinesis was also handy (pun intended) for explaining nonhumanoid creatures without hands or similar developing and using technology, because I am interested in the possibility of aliens very different from humans. 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. Dont feel discouraged by the problems of your first draft, remember that you will solve them later. Spirit? This also gives some spirits incentive to become a mages familiar they get much more experience of the human world by being there than collecting random memories. And if youre a goddamn god with a controller, it can pull a star destroyer into a planet while at the same time swatting aside oodles of TIE-Fighters (still the only sore point in The Force Unleashed 1 for me). The water creatures, dryads and naiads, are rarer and more powerful (because water has been around for much longer). Just because there are rules doesnt mean theyre rational. Like I said, its early days but any feedback or suggestions would be super-welcome!! What effect does the use of magic have on the user? Directing magic can involve a range of activities, but it commonly includes these aspects: The more elaborate your direction method is, the harder youll need to work to make it feel rational. This was implemented to further refine (/complicate?) Soft magic systems are the opposite of hard magic systems: they dont need to have a clearly defined set of rules. However, set guidelines for how people react to exposure. I would say on a molecular level. This would mean that they are naturally mostly hidden from beings of normal matter, but perhaps they could find ways to interact. Then use the answer to characterize all of your nature spirits. Bodily energies wouldn't make for a great choice as the body runs out of all types of energy, at least in real life and most works of fiction. In the fourth book, Harry doesnt know any flying spells, so he uses the Summoning Spell to call his broomstick. Magic, though commonplace, isnt an essential element in fantasy fiction. Im on my first crack of trying to writing and my magic system feels too simple to me and not sure if its good enough and would like a little insight. Someone could gain double the magic in half the time. The random Magic Type Generator is a free online tool that lets you generate random Magic Type content for your fantasy or writing project with the click of a button. It doesnt have to make sense in our world, but in the world of the story, it does. Interesting perspective on the Harry Potter magical system. The pulp could be made of something special that allows for different effects when treated differently. Maybe each thought produces a tiny amount of energy that allows for sending a nerve signal to, say, cause a body part to move. I dont think that interactionist dualism (or psychic powers existing) is likely to be true in real life, but if I were creating fictionI could include that. Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality This fun fan fiction explores rational explanations for how the Potterverse might work. First of all, why would there be a spell to dodge? Ask yourself what sources will work well for the magical effects you want to use, and what sources will work well within the world you have created. For instance, if you have chaotic magic, dark magic, and lawful magic, your audience will wonder where the light magic is. Some feel cohesive; others feel random. The elemental magic of Avatar is a great example of splitting the same form of magic into different types. The brain does use relatively weak energy for thinking, so that would not reach far. But thats not the way Rowling goes. What kinds of magical concepts and images would contribute to that atmosphere? Otherwise, your categories will feel contrived. Most often, your audience should see the effects of magic but not the cause. Grab a sheet of paper and brainstorm a list of magical effects that fascinate you: ones youve already seen before, or ones you come up with from scratch. Magic certain individuals acquire the ability to issue new instructions to existing nanites, whether in the environment or within others bodies. All of the Aether and Souls stem from the Sephirot, and at the same time are all one and the same. Have holy magic as something humans can gain through service to the gods, but have the gods as some random element that cannot be influenced at all. If Luke needs guidance to hit that exhaust port, the Force can guide him. I think rule based magic is important for worldbuilding, not novel writing. was really misleading. I made myself wait until morning to reply If rational magic systems only had a basic framework, they might get dull. Another rare one is magic transference, my idea of that one is gaining an ability that an extinct race once used, examp. Side note, can anyone contact the spirits, or does it require a special gift.. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. Apoglies if it comes off as confusing, Im not very good at conveying my thoughts and ideas, will explain in greater detail later. Your body can hold a fixed amount of paint (This is the same for everyone but full capacity is rarely reached). Thats why in emergencies, people have moved cars by pure muscle power to save someone. Everything is made up of atoms and molecules, so someone with the power to influence those could, theoretically, create new stuff in a heartbeat. In Dune, those who are exposed to spice develop powers over time. 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. EASTERN THUNDERER, based off of Eastern dragons in design, likely chance of getting weak to strong Shocker magic, rare-ish to moderate chance of getting magic of another Type as well, Learns magic a bit more slowly than other races. It could range from absolutely anything to a single effect such as moving objects or pausing time. Everything is what she deems fair. Calm Creature. In The Last Airbender storyline, Waterbending, Firebending, and Earthbending all have elite applications that not all benders can achieve, while air doesnt. Some are carefully planned; others contradict themselves and lead to plot holes. If every spell casts creates a knot that must result in the opposite effect happening then the incentive to kill becomes too great. weft threads could determine the properties of the warp threads, i.e. Or you could simply say that air is good for dodging, while earth is good for blocking. The law of magic that makes it so you cant summon food out of thin air feels like something invented by JK Rowling for plot purposes, not the logical result of a different set of physics like in Avatar the last Air bender. SWd6 System Generator. Plot-wise, yes. I love your idea Madden, however if i may point out one significant flaw that you will very quickly need to address. Many soft magic systems include magical creatures: centaurs, mermaids, nine-tailed foxesthe possibilities here are endless. Kathy Ferguson That is, unless you have a good relationship with him. Not sure what I mean? A rational magic system follows rules, thats what makes it a rational system. What do I do now? Cut to hundreds of years later; whatever advanced technology there was has fallen into disarray, with no one knowing how to use the few operable devices left. Human variation in magical ability is determined by how much excess soul they have, after running all of their brain activity. Is there a cap on the users' magical abilities? You have the damage dealer, usually a mage, who can deal out a lot of damage, but has weak health and often limited choices in armour, making them vulnerable in a battle. However, this doesn't have to be the case, the hero might not be strong enough on his own, but with other fighters the combined power might be enough to defeat the villain as well. Reversing entropy would be a matter of gestures as well as speeding it up. Once youve figured out what kind of system you need, its time to start building! Anyway, just to throw MY 2 cents in A while back, I was trying to design a magic system for a Skyrim Mod some friends of mine were attempting That ultimately went nowhere. E.g., player can only use some energy from the environment, depending on available amount and the players skills. These are the 7 forms of energy this magic affects. You just feel the spell, you dont need to recite anything. Maybe there are a few things that the sorcerer cant do, but basically its just whatever they want to happen, happens. Depending on where the clusters are and how they are structured different effects emerge: A waterbender cant control air or earth or fire. They have to learn magic to use it. Most everyone is either a Conduit or an Interferer, and it is genetic. The story is at a climax when emotions are always high? Very interesting system youre developing, I really like that it comes from a disease. I see the basis of a rational magic system there, and you have good limits. 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. Thank you for commenting! 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. In the Matrix, lifting something huge is harder than lifting something small. Here we will get into seven different bases to help you create your unique magic system. Telekinesis and teleportation require an explanation as to how you direct your power outside of the body. We were ripped out of the (literal) fabric of reality, shaped into a forbidden-to-visit pocket dimension. You mentioned Mana, Life and Mind as the elements of your magic system. Are there other applications that would make sense? If an Interferer and a Conduit have a baby, can it do both, or just one? dragon glass can kill them and both weapons were forged by dragon flame. Telekinesis: You mention psychics using their own energy for telekinesis. 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. In The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb, practitioners of the Skill can communicate to each other telepathically. The primary purpose of a soft magic system is to contribute to the atmosphere of your story. By the time of my story, the nanites have taken up residence pretty much EVERYWHERE. 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/. The thread is being used up at such a rate that the next generation may have none at all. You need to lay enough groundwork and hard rules and be consistent enough that it doesnt feel like a character getting angrier will suddenly allow them to start winning a climactic battle, at least not without significant buildup to such a thing happening. The nanites of this future continue their work, though they are many generations after the initial outbreak and the AIs have calmed them. There is no right way to build a magic system. If you want to create a soft magic system, I have some good news: you dont need to come up with a set of systematic rules, or even an underlying logic. 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. As this energy is formless and intangible, it is naturally attracted to your body and stored there. Could you chip in? That boar, the Twrch Trwyth? But it technically isnt magic if you put yourself in the characters shoes. In the TV show Im writing, there are dryads, nymphs, and naiads, which are all parts of nature. 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. Too Trope-ish?? Magicians train to control different aspects of reality, but a magician is also constrained to the limits of reality. but humanity is creative and designs massive jammers that are able to disable the nanites that enter within X radius of them. 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). High Magic and Low Magic. If you send out powers, your brain stays in one piece and in the same place. Ive also seen your above comment. That also means that magic is an entity of its own, hence experimenting with it can be highly dangerous.
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