Another rare one is magic transference, my idea of that one is gaining an ability that an extinct race once used, examp. a conspiracy to hide everyone selected (difficult to justify how they manage this). No, the water is surely a curse and warning from the mother, who draws the water from the plants themselves as a punishment for stealing the most precious of energy, sunlight itself. In the same way that you can learn to control your emotions, you can learn to control the magic that comes from those emotions. Some ideas are more fleshed out than other, if thats saying much. In the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, wand magic is like language. Different fighters prefer different methods, so combining the ideas could lead to a larger variety and possibly a richer world. Give me your thoughts! I think, some of the gods will be more random and chaotic than others. I remember a HP fan-fiction where Harry developed two spells into some kind of magical arms he could call up at will to help with magic or protect himself by picking up half a dozen objects he could throw into the path of a spell or weapon. Creating a system from scratch can feel incredibly overwhelming. Another limitation is that you have to touch whatever youre casting a spell on, e.g. Kristen now works as a creative wellness coach and offers new resources through her personal website at kristenkieffer.co. The dryads control water? Tolkien, we never find out exactly what Gandalf can and cant do with magic. 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. Just watch out for the unaffected 1%. There are clear limits of what they can do, and things like resurrection and time manipulation are some of these limitations. Hydro (water) Like it doesnt work on them or around them? Character Power Generator Teleportation is hardest to work out, because it includes the idea that you can pull a body apart and put it back together without any consequences. The value of the memory is determined by how much it affects the mage, and whether its repeatable or replaceable after the original is given up. If you make all of your spells fit together, you'll need less foreshadowing. Earth magic is strongest during Spring. Conduits gather energy but dont cast spells with it, Interferers cant gather but they can cast, so the two types of magic users have to work together to cast spells. However, Im not surprised youre getting overwhelmed, youre mixing a lot of different stuff together: A strong starting point in order to define your world as "other" to our own is selecting your world's name. Are there any natural elements which are home to magical powers or are there any which could house magical powers? 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(?) Ive been working on a magic system in my head, but would like help on a few things. In Game of Thrones, the red woman throws leaches into a fire, and later several lords die far away. However, certainly Interferers might be rewriting history to make themselves look better. 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. The problem would lie in too many types for an already-complex magic system. Well, your protagonists will use magic to solve some of their problems. Basically the spirits want more knowledge of the human world, to experience it through human eyes. Rowling has cherry picked her source material from myths that cross many cultures, Irish, Celtic, Greek, Welsh, Slavic, etc. 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). Of course, like any contract, value is relative and subject to change based on circumstances. 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. If you could, they probably wouldnt tell the students at Hogwarts. The only limit is your imagination. I would take a step back from good and bad, first of all. Internal logic, that is, otherwise thered always be that magic doesnt exist bit to fight against. VINE DWELLER, based off of forest nymphs from folklore in design, moderate chance of getting medium to strong Eco magic, extremely rare chance to get weak magic of another Type as well. It isnt strictly necessary, as I could probably write something interesting without it, but it is extremely convenient). Witches and wizards need to learn each spell individually and practice speaking their enchantments in exactly the right way in order to achieve the intended results. However, if were shown the hero struggling more in fights as a result of exhaustion after using said ability (e.g. 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. As bestselling author Brandon Sanderson explains, most magic systems can be classified as hard or soft in nature. Generate random names for characters, events, taverns, etc. You would paint specific patterns in the air in front of you while at the same time your mind involuntarily forces the molecules to obey and move into a new pattern, speed up, spread out (going for solid to liquid or liquid to gas), heat up (going from any other state to plasma). Like this, the Avatar system makes it clear where the limits are, for everyone but the Avatar. Many systems treat magic as energy similar to heat, magnetism, electricity, or movement. Now the magic is tied directly to ones own life force, the more magic they use the weaker their magic becomes and the weaker they become, with rest their strength will come back but their magic will not and if they run out means they used up their entire life force so they die and the only known way to regain all their magic and life force is to take the life of another completely consuming their victims life force\magic. Hard magic systems feature a strict set of parameters explained within the story to ensure that readers understand what characters fantastical powers can and cannot do. This is super helpful, thanks so much for taking the time to write it and to provide examples. (plants take the water from the ground and transpire it at night, so its balanced in some sense) If thats not the case(scientific understanding of the world), how do they explain a fire dying out or lightning? In one of my worlds (an urban fantasy kitchen sink setting where many mythological creatures from many different cultures exist), the rules are: Creatures can either have magic or be magic. Last limitation is that the caster has to concentrate on what theyre doing. Sometimes this is unavoidable, it happens a lot in games and long stories spanned over many seasons/novels, but for shorter stories it's best to think about what the power limit would be. You will always need to wing it there, because you introduce something which has no base in our worlds reality. Sandersons Second Law I went through this process recently with an RPG Ive been working on. If you use this source, decide why reality is so malleable is everyone in a dream or a virtual reality game? Do you prefer planning things out logically (hard magic), or going with your gut (soft magic)? And the thing that makes up all of the energy is spiritual Vibrations. 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). Eg- How fast you can make the ball move (The heavier the object the slower it moves) Now, its VERY early days for me with this thing, but Im wondering: It could also be from astral radiation or human emotion. In some cases, the answer might already be obvious given the world your story is set in. 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. Hey everyone! It wasnt meant to be a rational system (although the EU developed it into one and, no, Im not going into the midichlorian desaster), it was simple old-fashioned fairy-tale magic, the kind which does exactly what the heroes need it to do. Therefore, its probably a power you should consider not using unless its absolutely plot relevant for you to have a character who can do that. As a general rule, antagonists can use soft magic to solve problems, even though protagonists should only use hard magic. It does seem likely that humans, with their limited lifetime, would not master all elements in a system of elemental magic, but it is, of course, possible for humans to use different types of magic or magic from different sources all at once. How do I come up with subtypes that would suit the main types of magic? The biggest limitation is the training. Thats because we know dragon glass can kill them and both weapons were forged by dragon flame. But you can use pretty much anything you wish, whether it's a magic absorbing rock, special water or perhaps a type of wood. What can your high fantasy magic do as in abilities and cant do like limitations? I also like the conspiracy, theres not many like that in high fantasy which makes it cool. For just one example, Magoroh Maruyama describes several different possible paradigms of science, which Robert A. Freitas Jr. mentions in the book Xenology in relation to extraterrestrial minds. When you look at all your categories together, you shouldnt find any large gaps where a category should be, and two categories shouldnt be unusually similar. 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 . Aurai are wind nymphs. Second, look through all the essential pieces of spell creation and casting, and think how the casting process might fail at each step. In case if something enters inside such bonded blob it will exit on the other side of the bond. Hey, dont know if anyones still commenting on this but here goes. Like actually dodge the spell physically? Character Power Generator Your character has the Illusions (Can create and destory illusions) ability! Others get a bit more pleasing mutations; sensory enhancements, enhanced reflexes, strength, bone density, accelerated healing. Light? However, scholars and Wise Ones know that harnessing sunlight is possible, for virtually every plant known to this world is more than capable of harnessing sunlight, and does so continuously, every day. 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. 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 was wondering if any of you could give your thoughts on it. 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. 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. Okay, now that thats our of the way Is magic (or the source that fuels it) a limited resource in your story world? 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. They have to learn magic to use it. Also I thought about it and further developed it. The differences come into play when various factions go to war. When I say the tips may not be universal, Im referring especially to how you state that rational magic is based on a single, coherent metaphysical framework and describe things such as categories and symmetricality. > how are you handling the problem that (I would imagine) youd have to assign EVERY object/environ in your game world a energy attribute/variable. Dispel | Spiritual | Fire | Creature A grammar checker, style editor, and writing mentor in one package. : It doesn't have to be something natural either, it could be a machine or body enhancement, like a tattoo. Now its time to decide why magic cant do anything and everything the spellcaster wants, whenever they want. These small but significant changes in their functionality causes untold chaos; billions die and the climate is thrown off by the massive amount of metal particulates now in the upper atmosphere. We know it takes more kinetic energy to move a big rock than a small rock, so we can imagine it requires more magical energy too. It takes many years to master. Magicians summon magical spirits, like djinni, and command them to do their bidding. The main exception is the avatar state, which isnt clearly linked to bending. There are 4 main types of magic systems in fantasy. Ive also seen your above comment. The way the magic of my world works so far goes as follows: Magic is based in blood, the eight types of magical blood found in fantastical creatures and humans (Light, Dark, Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Mind, Body), and the way people gain magic is either by taking that blood from the creature or being born with it, so either a Linear or a Pureblood. Electricity The cosmic balance is set up to where the Aether and Souls rely on eachother, Aether creates and maintains the World and Aether flourished and continues to exist through our Actions. Its time to create a system of rules that will feel cohesive and logical. Some well-known examples of soft magic systems: In The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. (Unless you take the elements as actually solid, liquid, gas, and plasma, but this isnt mentioned in the show itself, might make magic too powerful, and there are some states of matter that dont fit into these groups). By making sure magic has costs, you can force your protagonists to be clever and resourceful when they solve problems. They can only work through people that do their will voluntarily. Using this site means trees will be planted. If you fail to understand the role that . If you dont have enough power to spare, the spell fizzles. 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. In time cities arise around these safe harbors, and ever so slowly life begins again. Aside from this, the only other limitation a mage has in magic is their stamina. Paint can carry genetic qualities as well. As far as the potions issue, again, these are based off historical ideas about magic and potions. Jinora does it at some point. 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. It isnt a common thing among people of this world, but it is an esoteric art comprised of ancient secrets passed down through generations within a tribe of acolytes. In other words, readers need to understand how your magic system works to ensure its use feels natural and believable within the context of the story. In The Last Airbender storyline, Waterbending, Firebending, and Earthbending all have elite applications that not all benders can achieve, while air doesnt. These effects all involve either draining, manipulating or sensing magical forces, including the stuff that runs the internal workings of magical creatures. I know this comment was published a long time ago But oh my God, this idea Id fantastic. Without the explanation you added (glutton for punishment), that sounds more like someone who consumes a lot. But at extremely high levels (Demi god level) the breeze might be enough. In The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, magic is like law. My magic system is tied in with a lot of the religions and science of my fantasy world. This is what making sense means when it comes to magic. Nevertheless, you will always introduce something which, as far as we know, does not exist in reality. SO, questions: where is the magic energy coming from in the environment? Sky: Sky magic draws power from the vast sky, movement of the winds, and from thunderstorms. This adds a bit of strategy to the game, because you need to figure out how to use the different skill sets best together. Its the subtle way magic leans toward fire or ice. That was exactly what i thought! One of the most common elements in these books is a magic system. 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. External energy could work; however, instantaneously moving energy from one place to another causes problems. The only way around this that i can see is if killing Voldermort brought Hitler back to life. Before learning magic, a mage must first learn how to control their mana until they are capable of creating energy bolts and forming energy constructs. The houses are merely there to spark rivalry, they have no deeper meaning for the magic or the story. Luckily for the majority of the population of the Voden Imperium, the nanites are happy to sit mostly dormant, quietly replicating away. 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). He exerts his own living will in opposition against the tendency towards balance. Im only using that as a place holder name because mostly priests use it but priest carries its own connotation thats probably also misleading. Your storys magic system may fall somewhere between these two extremes, and thats perfectly fine so long as you understand the role that magic serves within your story. You can use our ProWritingAid Sensory Report to make sure youre including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell in your magic system. Reading this made me realize that while Ive got the source pretty nailed down, I dont actually have much else figured out yet! 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. Many receive horrible mutations, the nanites only know that they are to better humanity but they have no notion of what being a human means, some are physically melded into grotesque shapes, some lose their minds becoming like feral beasts.