Magic. It's a topic I avoided for long, reminiscing how should I approach it properly, how to include everything of significance and how to make it as organised and understandable as possible. Honesty, magic is a very complex topic, it can wear different faces and have different rules.
In this post, I'll try to introduce you to the world of magic - mainly its categorisation. I'll try to answer the questions such as: what kinds of magic can be found out there? Who can use it? What rules are there to it? Let's get into it!
First of all, let's differentiate high and low magic. HIGH magic systems are characterized by being everywhere as a part of the characters' reality. On the other hand, LOW magic isn't that common and understood by characters - like in Game of Thrones.
We can also divide magic into HARD and SOFT.
HARD magic systems have their rules, their effects are known and its ways are quite predictable to the reader. Often the mechanisms behind this magic are out there for to the reader to understand.
SOFT magic systems are more mysterious with its rules often left unexplained to the reader. Soft magic leaves a lot to reader's imagination.
Let's now delve into specific kinds of magic one can use.
• ELEMENTAL MAGIC
Elemental magic has to do with controlling and using the elements. This can be seen for example in Avatar.
• ALCHEMY
Alchemy can include transforming materials, creating potions and elixirs. The best example I can think of is Fullmetal alchemist.
• BLOOD MAGIC
This one is a bit darker, and involves getting your hands bloody. Whether in a sacrifice, or by killing someone, blood in this setting gives you specific benefits from using it.
• NECROMANCY
Magic connected to the dead. Can involve speaking to the dead or forcing the dead to listen to commands.
• MIND MAGIC
Controlling one's thoughts or emotions falls under mind magic.
• TIME MANIPULATION
Slowing or speeding the time, or even jumping in time.
• PSYCHIC ABILITIES
- invisibility
- channelling - the ability to speak to spirits
- shape shifting - for example changing into a dog
- teleportation
- clairvoyance - ability to acquire information that would be considered impossible to get through scientifically proven sensations, thus classified as extrasensory perception, or "sixth sense"
- telepathy - hearing someone's thoughts, or/and talking to someone by thoughts
- precognition - ability of seeing, or otherwise becoming directly aware of future events
- psychometry - ability to glean accurate knowledge of an object's history by making physical contact with it
• RITUALISTIC MAGIC
Magic is obtained by a specific ritual under specific conditions.
• NATURE MAGIC
Connected to plants and animals, such as druidry.
Magic / not magic?
This is a category for things like Reiki, manifestation, cleansing, essential oils and other things we, as humans, can do in our everyday lives. Sending someone healing energy can be a part of our practise, and can be also perceived as magic (for example in modern witchcraft). That's why I'm including it here.
HOW DOES ONE USE THE MAGIC?
• with symbols, runes, drawings,...
• by rituals
• with a specific object - a wand, an elixir
• by their own will and energy
• by specific movements
• by a contract with a demon / angel / some other entity
HOW DO YOU GAIN MAGIC ABILITIES?
...you're born with it OR you learn in OR you're gifted with it (or cursed).
Questions to ask while writing magic for your story
→ Where does the magic come from?
→ How do you use the magic?
→ What is the price for using it?
→ How does it influence you?
→ What are the magic's limits?
→ Where can magic be found?
→What are the rules around magic?
→ Can anyone use it?
→ Is there a specific race (or kind of entities) who can or cannot use magic?
→ Is there a hierarchy around magic using?
→ Is someone controlling or keeping the use of magic under specific restrictions?
Magic users can be:
• alchemists
• druids - especially strongly connected to nature, seeing it as divine and studying it
• wizards - obtain magic by learning it
• mages - masters in using magic, spent long years learning it
• sorcerers - magic comes from within
• clerics - they worship and enact their deities' will to the world, and channel the power of their faith to do magic
• warlocks - their magic comes from a higher, divine e entity
• healers - their power lays in healing others
• certain creatures - like dragons or demons
Comments
Post a Comment