Magic Systems - Tumblr Posts

Creating a magical system is sooo hard 😭 Does anyone have any advice that can help me?

I feel like we need to write powers with more negative consequences when using them, and I don't mean "They get super tired if they use their power to much." Power shouldn't be free with no cost. For every action there is a reaction.

Positive Powers with Negative Side Effects

Someone with the power of resurrection who can bring anyone back to like shortly after dying. However every time they do, some other random person in the world will suddenly drop dead. Can they live with the guilt?

Psychic powers often come with memory issues.

Someone with the power to breath underwater, but has to wear an oxygen mask when they aren't because they can't get enough from the atmosphere normally.

Controlling fire isnt as awesome when the wielder isnt flame resistant

Someone who can fly, but is bound to a wheelchair when they aren't flying.

Superstregth might be good for your muscles, but not so much for your joints.

Someone with the power of foresight, but they can only foresee bad events.

Shapeshifting is excruciatingly painful.

Someone with the powers of magnetism is constantly sick because of the unbalanced metals in their natural system like iron, zinc, etc.

Someone who can liquify themselves can easily change shape, but being so malleable doesn't lend itself to having strong bones and other body parts

Someone who can speak to animals, but is otherwise mute.

Hydrokenisis comes with the side effect of dehydration.

50 Magical Origins...

You touched a strange rune-covered stone and was engulfed by its glowing energies.

You were bitten by a strange creature that then disappeared into the wilderness.

You hugged a tree that was attuned to a place of great power.

You ate a immortal insect that still sits in your stomach.

You accidentally transported yourself to the Astral Plane after consuming a strange magical substance.

You spoke to a phantasmal being while you slept.

You accidentally entered the ceremonial chambers of a lost temple.

Your ancestor claimed to be a powerful medicine man, but in fact worked with otherworldly magics to heal others.

Your skin became fused with a strange alloy metal dust, which was actually the ground up scales of a metallic dragon!

You found an ancient idol of unknown origins buried in an old field.

You took part in an arcane military experiment to develop a humanoid war machine.

You were exposed the strange energies of a glowing meteorite.

You breathed the magical spores of a prehistoric mould recovered from an amber chunk.

You fell ill from a mysterious illness that rode to earth on the surface of an alien space capsule.

You discovered a cave filled with giant crystals that released pulsating, glowing energies.

You were stung by several transmuted wasps that had been warped with a new form of magic.

Your father or mother was secretly an inter-dimensional traveller.

You were born of a failed cloning experiment and escaped the grounds before being destroyed.

Your grand-father was a performer who made some dark deals to gain fame and fortune.

You survived a magical explosion!

You were exposed to wild cosmic powers while picking through the remains of fallen space junk.

You accidentally breathed in the dust of a King’s tomb while exploring a ruined structure.

Your body was transformed after breathing in a toxic alchemical smog.

You consumed some unknown fruit found deep in a savage jungle.

You came into contact with a strange sludge flowing out of a flooded ditch near an old alchemist’s shop.

You participated in a strange experiment involving man-made magical fields.

You performed a magical ritual found in a strange, dusty old book.

You drank the waters of a mystical fountain.

You had a strange, almost allergic reaction to an experimental magical potion.

You consumed a strange tasting herbal tea while visiting an cackling old fortune teller.

You great grand-mother was the high priestess of a savage tribe.

You were taught ancient secrets of mind over matter by an elderly mage.

You survived a fall into a vat containing a strange new alchemical substance.

You were struck by lightning while visiting a historical site during a brewing storm.

You were bitten by a lizard while visiting a series of old magically ruined towns located far away from any modern civilization.

You were exposed to a previously unknown mineral ore during a mining accident.

You were kidnapped by strange creatures and forced to participate in bizarre experiments.

Your latent magical powers activated when you were accidentally electrocuted.

You snorted a bizarre looking ash while getting high on street drugs at a dive bar.

You consumed a bizarre tasting elixir purchased from an old alchemist’s shop.

You fell into a bizarre, dream-filled trance when visiting an old medieval tower.

You rode in a boat that was in engulfed with strange energies from a magical sea storm.

You survived the accidental release of a magical modified disease.

You purchased a mysterious ancient war mask from a back alley antique store.

You survived being struck by a falling crystalline meteor, with a shard still buried in your back.

You were once an Imp, but a strange surge of magic during your “Promotion” trapped your Soul in a Mortal Humanoid body.

You were once part of an illegal gambling ring, winning a Wizard’s Spellbook in a Game of Chance. Sometimes you find yourself writing in that old Wizard’s hand-writing.

You were grievously wounded by a powerful Dragon, but not before landing a blow on the creature. Your bloods mingled and some of its powers were shunted into you!

Your Soul wandered the depths of the Shadowfell, before arriving at the Fortress of Memories, where pity was taken upon you and you were reincarnated as a second chance at life.

You worked at an old clock tower. One day time seemed to stop for just a moment while you stood before the gears, but then it ticked along once more…

Things to Consider when Creating a Magic System

What are the drawbacks of using magic? Does it have mental, physical, and/or emotional consequences for the user?

What tools are needed to harness magic? Wands? Spells? Magical artifacts?

How do people learn magic? Instinct? In school? From family members?

Can everyone use magic or are only certain people capable of using it?

Is the capability to use magic hereditary? What about different ways of using magic (transformation powers, teleportation, etc.)?

What is impossible for magic to do?

How long does it take to master different magical skills?

Can creatures other than humans learn magic? Are different creatures better at using different kinds of magic?

Does it require spells to be spoken, written, or thought?

Is it possible for someone to lose their magical abilities?

How do characters’ emotions affect their ability to use magic? Do their emotions affect the magic’s intensity or controllability? 

How does the strength of a person’s magical abilities change as they age?

Can people normally perform any kind of magic or can they only perform things that fall under their specialty? Are their exceptions?

What rules restrict magic use in society?

How do people’s magical abilities impact their career prospects?

What kinds of magic are the most feared or seen as the most powerful? Which are seen as mere jokes?

How do people use magic to help with everyday tasks?

Can magical energy be stored for later use?

What objects or other factors can amplify someone’s magical powers?

When do magical abilities initially manifest? From birth? At a certain age? Under certain conditions?

What is the first spell a character is likely to learn?

What happens if a spell is performed incorrectly? Nothing at all? A weaker version of the intended results? Pain?

Can different spell casting methods be used to obtain the same result? What are their advantages and disadvantages?

Building a magic system

A little guide to help you with your magic system.

1. Source

- External source: Energy from the outside that the mage can draw upon or convert into magic energy.

Earth

The atmosphere

Drawn from elements

From another dimensions or realms

Gods

Supernatural entities

Star or planet constellations

Weather phenomena

Magic as life energy

Magic as omnipresent energy that flows through everything

- Internal source: Magic coming from within the body of the mage, generated by him

Coming from the mind

Generated by the body

From the soul

2. Magic control through:

Incantations

Hand gestures

Written symbols

Focus/concentration/will of the mage

By connection to the source (object, supernatural creature, another realms etc)

Rituals

Blood

Sacriface

Emotions

3. Magic limits - what can’t be done by magic

Range of effect

Lenght of effect

Limited by the mage’s focus

Limited by the mage’s stamina

4. Magic costs

Exhaustion of stamina

Pain

Gradual loss of senses

Burning off the mage’s soul

Buring off the mage’s life span

5. People who can use magic:

Born with it

Trained

Bestowed upon them

Awakening magic in some way

Ritual

Deal with a supernatural entity

Consumption of blood of a supernatural creature

Acquiring it from a near-death experience

6. Mages regarded by the society:

Hidden from it

Led by it

Feared

Expelled/hated

12 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Magic System

How is it learned and executed?

How is it accessed?

Does it have a will of its own?

Is it restricted in space and time?

What does available magic do?

How does it relate to the character, plot and theme of the book?

What is the cost of magic?

What can it not do?

How long does it last?

Who can use it?

How do others react to it?

Why haven’t people with this power taken over the world?

Latin phrases to use as incantations.

This is gonna be a long list.

ab intra - from within

ab origine - from the source

absit iniuria - “let insult be absent”

absit invidia - “let envy be absent”

absit omen - “let omens be absent”

ab uno disce omnes - from one, learn all.

abyssus abyssum invocat - deep calleth unto deep

a capite ad calcem - from head to heel

acta non verba - actions not words

ad altiora tendo - “I strive to higher things”

ad astra - to the stars

ad fontes - to the sources

ad meliora - towards better things

ad oculos - to the eyes

ad undas - to the waves

ad victoriam - to victory

adsum - I am here

a fortiori - from the stronger/from strength

a mari usque ad mare - from sea to sea

audeamus - let us dare

audentes fortuna iuvat - fortune favors the bold

audi, vide, tace - hear, see, be silent

beatae memoriae - of blessed memory

bona fide - in good faith

bono malum superate - overcome evil with good

capax infiniti - holding the infinite

carpe diem - seize the day

carpe noctem - seize the night

cave - beware

ceteris paribus - all other things being equal

circa - around

citius, altius, fortius - faster, higher, stronger

clavis aurea - golden key

cogito ergo sum - I think, therefor I am

compos mentis - in control of the mind

concilio et labore - by wisdom and effort

concordia cum veritate - in harmony with truth

concordia salus - well-being through harmony

coniunctis viribus - with connected strength

consummatum est - it is complete

corruptus in extremis - corrupt to the extreme

crescit eundo - it grows as it goes

de novo - from the new

de profundis - from the depths

dies irae - day of wrath

dona nobis pacem - give us peace

ego te provoco - I challenge you

esse est percipi - to be is to be perceived  

esse quam videri - to be, rather than to seem

esto quod es - be what you are

ex animo - from the soul

ex luna scientia - from the moon, knowledge

ex scientia tridens - from knowledge, sea power

ex silentio - from silence

ex undis - from the waves of the sea

experientia docet - experience teaches

fac et spera - do and hope

fac fortia et patere - do brave deed and endure

faciam quodlibet quod necesse est - I’ll do whatever it takes

faciam ut mei memineris - I’ll make you remember me

facta, non verba - deeds, not words

fortis et liber - strong and free

fortis in arduis - strong in difficulties

gloriosus et liber - glorious and free

hic abundant leones - here lions abound

hic et nunc - here and now

hic sunt dracones - here there are dragons

hinc illae lacrimae - hence those tears

hinc itur ad astra - from here the way leads to the stars

igni ferroque - with fire and iron

in memoriam - into the memory

in nocte consilium - advice comes over night

libra - balance

littera scripta manet - the written words endure

locus standi - a right to stand

luceo non uro - I shine, not burn

luctor et emergo - I struggle and emerge

mare liberum - free sea

memento vivere - remember to live

more ferarum - like beasts

natura non contristatur - nature is not saddened

nec spe, nec metu - without hope, without fear

noli me tangere - do not touch me

ophidia in herba - a snake in the grass

pro se - for oneself

propria manu - by one’s own hand

quaere - to seek

quod abundat non obstat - what is abundant does not hinder

resurgam - I shall arise

semper ad meliora - always towards better things

semper anticus - always forward

semper apertus - always open

semper fortis - always brave

semper liber - always free

stet - let it stand

tuebor - I will protect

vera causa - true cause

i love pitting classically trained magic users against self-taught magic users in sci-fi/fantasy but it shouldn’t be snobbish disdain for them it should be terror

in praise of worldbuilding

Sterling silver foxes. That’s all.

Guide to the thread magic of the Kingdoms and Empires series by Jaclyn Moriarty

Colors of thread: | Name of thread/magic:

red and black | shadow thread/magic, dark magic

green and gold | binding thread, spellbinding

blue and silver | bright thread/magic, true magic

It’s pretty cool that magic works without the threads now. Kinda like how money used to have actual worth when it was gold coins but now we trust paper to certify wealth or whatever money is?

Bronte says that mages somehow learned how to do the spells without the actual thread—though they can see the thread in their minds!

I also think the thread itself only has powers if a mage with matching speciality uses it. Like a True Mage could never use Shadow Thread to do any kind of magic, because shadow thread can only do shadow magic and only if a Shadow Mage is using it.

Writing Notes: 10 Uncommon Magic Systems

These examples of unique magic systems might pique your curiosity and inspire your next fantasy epic. 

Color Magic: Harnessing colors to invoke specific spells or effects.

Sound Magic: Crafting spells through vocal tones, vibrations, or musical instruments.

Time Magic: Manipulating the past, present, or future, often bending the laws of physics.

Egoic Magic: Altering one's sense of self or emotions to use as a magical conduit.

Manufactured or Artificial Magic: Magic crafted or produced through synthetic means (e.g. via objects or alchemical processes).

Nothingness Magic: Conjuring voids or vacuums, often manifesting as spatial anomalies.

Glass Magic: Manipulating glass to create barriers, projectiles, or even complex machinery.

Astrology-Based Magic: Drawing powers from celestial bodies or zodiac signs.

Fate Magic: Influencing destiny or chance to manifest predetermined outcomes.

Bio-magic: Utilizing biological processes or traits for supernatural effects.

Incorporating lesser-covered categories of magic can set your story apart in an oversaturated market, helping you carve out your distinct niche and voice. Source

More: On Fantasy Writing References: Worldbuilding ⚜ Plot ⚜ Character

If you're in the unfortunate spot of wanting to make a story and have to world build, you'll get to see this first hand!

Find yourself a nice video on the "world building" and "magic system" in Avatar:tla get cozy, and listen to 20 minutes of someone COMPLETELY IGNORING EVERYTHING THAT MAKES THAT SHOW GOOD.

The bending styles based on real world martial arts? How the elements mesh with the character's personalities, and the ethos of the in world culture they come from? The use of these "powers" being tied exclusively to character development throughout the series? (Zuko being physically scarred by the fire, Aang needing to be less flighty as a person in order to master earth bending)?

NAH SIS! What's IMPORTANT is knowing that the audience knows all the ins and outs of a carefully detailed magic system so they can't find any plot holes!

Since you know. It's plot holes or a lack thereof that makes a good story. Nothing Else.

Everyone knows reading comprehension sucks. Boring, overplayed, classist.

Let's talk about visual and auditory comprehension instead!

I'm currently trying to world build a magical school for my fantasy realm. I'm having a hard time finding sources online. Any general advice for fantasy schools?

For starters, you want to have your magic system fleshed out really thoroughly. What good is teaching a bunch of kids how to use a magic system that you, the author, don't really know how it works, right!? If you haven't done this, you might check out my Brainstorming posts Here (Part 1) and Here (Part 2) to get started.

Beyond that, you need to think about some school basics:

Are all children educated in magic? Or only the most talented, the richest, or the poorest?

How does society at large feel about magic education and how does that impact the freedom and funds of the school?

(Related:) What kind of teachers are employed at the school? The best and brightest or the shlufs who couldn't make it in a "real" school? How does that affect the education of the students?

How does general education play into the lives of the students? Do they go to primary school first where they learn to read and write etc. or is that part of the their magic school curriculum?

How much danger is there in the day-to-day of the school? Is the magic difficult to use and therefore generally not a risk? Is it ubiquitous and therefore maintains some inherent balance? Is it difficult to use and therefore volatile and unpredictable?

What is the purpose of receiving a magic education and what do its students aspire to do after completing school?

I hope these help you out little bit. :)

Happy building!