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Magic system

· 8 min read
Adeola Adedotun
Adeola Adedotun
Lead writer

How to design a great magic system for your fictional world

Story anatomy

While it is referred to magic system, it doesn't necessarily mean magic like illusions or witches and wizards, this refers to any supernatural or extraordinary abilities. So things like alchemy, bending etc will apply here.

TLDR

  • Basic info
  • Source
  • Rules
  • Mechanics
  • Users
  • History
  • Interaction

1. Introduction​

Give your magic system a fitting a memorable name. Be mindful how it would used

  • Acts e.g. bending
  • Users e.g. benders, mages, wizards
  • Kinds e.g. air-benders, fire-mages, necromancers etc

Provide a succinct description of the magic system in as few words as possible.

2. Source of Magic​

This is how the magic is generated, the resources needed to make the magic happen. The source is an important way to limit or make your magic systems. One of the things you need to consider is the following

Material​

Where does the use of magic originate

Examples includes deities, nature, innate ability, technology, artifacts, emotional energy, etc.

A good example is bending, the bending ability which requires the bending material like air or earth.

Availability​

Is it limited or readily available

This might result in some sort of economics and control if it's limited. It can create social structures, rules and regulations.

Accessibility​

Is it accessible to everyone

Whether the resource is available or not, the ability to use it makes a big difference. For example, while air is practically unlimited, only air bender's can actually use it.

Reliability​

Is it reliable or unpredictable

Is your magic a science or an art? There are pros and cons to both. It should be noted that you can make the magic consistent but yet seemingly unpredictable, perhaps the users are not aware of the factors that influences it like the weather, full moons etc.

3. Rules​

Limitations, weakness and consequences are arguably the most important part of your magic system, because magic shouldn't be seen as a tool to solve all your problems but rather to introduce problems for your characters to solve.

Limitation​

State what the magic can do

Whenever you list what the magic can do, you should also list what it can't do within the same breadth. For example, if a user can teleport, you should be able to state how they teleport and how far they could teleport e.g. within sight, somewhere they've been before, maybe they need a picture etc.

Here are possible restrictions of the magic

  • Time certain time of the day, year, season e.g. full moon makes water benders stronger.
  • Geography restricted to locations, altitude or distance
  • Materials Needs certain ingredients or catalyst that could enhance or inhibit the magic
  • Skill or Knowledge this might require study or certain talent, perhaps needs to memorise spells or runes
  • Energy A finite energy, risk of exhaustion or even death
  • Physical movements they need certain gestures to use or activate the magic e.g. moving their hands around
  • Numerical constraints this may be about size (e.g. only 5 people can be put under hypnosis at once) or something more else like odd or prime numbers
  • Cyclical availability similar to time but tied to something else like celestial cycles, alignment of planets, during a flower bloom etc
  • Setup Are there any specific rules or rituals required to use magic?

Weakness​

This is something an opponent can exploit, a vulnerability, how using the magic could expose the user to harm.

  • Sensory like reduction in vision, hearing, feelings etc
  • Physical vulnerability weakness, fatigue etc
  • Mental susceptibility makes someone crazy, open to external influence, increases someone bad behaviour, or even opens you up to other people's emotion
  • Elemental vulnerabilities fire mages are extra weak against water attacks
  • Magical interference it can backfire, the magic may not combine well
  • Technological disruption susceptible to certain materials or devices e.g. while using magic, there is a device that can strip them of their power.
  • Spiritual imbalance this can be a bit vague or complex and depends on the definition of spirituality in your story.
  • Temporal distortion Perhaps wielding the magic makes someone slower, or takes some to activate that makes the user defenceless
  • Exposure Perhaps the user glows, letting the user pinpoint their position or other means e.g. using one ring allows Sauron to see you.
  • Transference moving the effect to someone else or you, e.g. healing someone may cause you intense pain, or make you sick temporarily

Consequence​

The cost of using the magic

What does the magic user loses or stand to lose when they use the magic. It is kind of a penalty, and it's usually permanent, or might need another means to reverse or cancel the effect. Examples include

  • Physical strain (e.g., magic use accelerates the aging process, make the user sterile or genetic mutation)
  • Mental degradation or exhaustion (e.g., powerful spells erase the caster's memories)
  • Addiction (e.g., regular use of magic becomes physically necessary)
  • Karmic debt creates an imbalance that must be repaid e.g. bringing someone from death kills another person.
  • Environmental impact (e.g., spell casting causes natural disasters, destroy barriers between dimensions or worlds)
  • Corruption this includes things like "going to the dark side" or "destroying your soul" depending on your world.
  • Reality warping causes change to reality like alternative timeline or everyone forgets about you.
  • Secondary reactions like creating magical beings, some spirits reaction or get into legal jeopardy.

4. Mechanics​

Manipulation​

How is the magic channeled or manipulated

How would the users of the magic manifest and use this abilities. examples include gestures, incantations, focus or objects like wands, staffs etc.

Categories​

Types, groups, schools

If there are any categorisation or schools of magic like different elements (air, water, fire, earth) or categories like illusions, divination, necromancy, healing etc

Effect​

How does the magic interact with the physical world

What specifically is the intentional effect of the magic on the real world. For example moving of objects, returning someone back to full health etc.

Sensory​

Visual and Sensory Aspects

Is there a physical representation that the magic is being used or happening e.g. their hand or eyes are glowing, a shimmer. Who can see this physical changes (everyone, certain type of people)

  • What does magic look like? (e.g., colors, shapes, patterns, etc.)
  • What does magic sound like? (e.g., crackling energy, whispering voices, etc.)
  • What does magic feel like? (e.g., warmth, cold, tingling, etc.)
  • Are there any unique smells or tastes associated with magic?

Skill​

How is skill or ability measured, and how can it be developed

How skill is measured goes hand in hand with the development process. For example, if the magic is activated by spells, then the more spells you know, the more powerful the character will probably be which in turn means the only way to get more powerful is to study and learn more spells. You may combine more than one aspect e.g. raw talent to show potential and training/experience is merely a multiplier of raw power.

5. Users of Magic​

Kinds​

Who can use the magic

Is it based on certain races (witches, werewolves, vampires etc), bloodlines (e.g. Rahl family), random individuals due to other rules (e.g. reincarnation like the avatar) or certain events like those bitten by werewolves or vampires.

Sociology​

What are the social implications of the magic to users and non-users

This includes things like respect, fear, persecutions etc. How does having or not having this magic affect your social standing?

Institutions​

Are there any organisation that are directly involved in the magic, like setting rules, regulating, hunting people with the magic or even training them.

Levels​

Difference in ability or mastery

Are there different levels? How is this represented e.g. Grandmaster, master etc

Physical effect​

How or if this magic make characters different from those who doesn't have it e.g. different lifespan, having claws or fangs. Are there any diseases that only affect the magic users.

6. History and Lore​

Invention​

How was magic discovered or created?

This explains how magic became a thing in the world, or perhaps, it's always being part of the world. If it was caused by a thinking agent, what was their motivation?

Legends​

Legendary figures and heroes

Past magic users, good or bad that made their mark or widely known, and for what reasons are they (in)famous.

Myths​

Beliefs, prophesies or myths. Justified or not, what are some widespread notion of magic that is held by the world or a particular group of people.

History and culture​

Influence of magic on their history and culture

How the presence and use of magic has changed the history of the world. Consider what would have been different in the world without the magic.

Lost art​

Are there any lost or forbidden form of magic, perhaps a cult that believes or follows it.

7. Interaction​

Synergy and contra-indication, how does magic interact with the world and certain elements

  • How does magic affect the environment?
  • How does magic interact with technology?
  • How does magic affect the creatures and people of the world?
  • Does magic have a moral or ethical component?