Worldbuilding for beginners: Science and Magic
OK, so this will aim to outline what you should consider when adding these factors to your world. There will be questions, and some examples from my main WIPs.
Let's begin!
Questions
How advanced is the technology? Is there Internet? WiFi? Power? Have engines been developed?
Are there special substances that react differently to real world ones?
Does everyone have magic? Is it abused?
What are the tolls of using magic? Energy drainage? Decreased lifespan?
What problems did magic and technology cause? Do people like them?
Do animals have magic?
If you have different races, do they have specific magics?
Do some regions have more advanced technology than others? Is there bitterness about this? Sabotage?
What is the driving force behind technological advancement? Exploration? War?
Have they managed to explore beyond their continent? Out of the planet?
Is the tech for convenience, or essential for survival?
How powerful is the magic? Is there a magical language? Symbols?
What are the rules that dictate how the magic can be used?
Can you instinctively use magic, or do you have to be taught?
What is the source of the magic?
Examples in my world
In my world, electricity is on the way, but nothing like the Internet yet. Engines are another work in progress.
There is a substance called the Alchemist's Ruby which enhances magic, but will fuse to any creature capable of magic (but not antimagic). It will then spread into it consumes their whole body, their magic steadily growing stronger into their eventual death.
In my world everyone has magic. It is divided into six categories, plus anomalies. The categories are Traveller, Walker, Elemental, Engineer, Scribe and Morpher. I'll try to keep it brief for each. There are two or three types for each major category. I'll stick with two for the moment.
Traveller: 1) Can slow or speed up time in small areas. 2) Has inhumanly fast reaction times and can move fast enough to outrun an arrow
Walker: 1) Can walk into a separate dimension through places where three or more shadows overlap and exit at a similar location 2) Can walk through mirrors in much the same way as the shadow walkers
Elementals: 1) Can control fire, water, air and earth. 2) Can control cold, plants, void and lightning
Engineers: 1) Can create a bubble dimension to change the macroscopic structure of anything placed inside it 2) Can edit the chemical structure of stuff put inside their bubble dimension
Scribe: 1) Can cancel out magic in the direction they aim 2) Probably the most complicated. Can carry any spell using runes. The spell is as powerful /lasts as long as it took to write, or can be linked to a creature's life force to make it last /more powerful
Morpher: 1) Can harden their skin and toughen their bones 2) can morph into one animal besides their normal form
And yes, magic is very much abused.
All magic drains energy and will drain life force if energy is used up.
Wars have been fought over magic, with magic, and some magic types are discriminated against.
Animals don't have magic, but some have antimagic. These animals are known a glyphoids.
Different races have different magic. The above magics apply to humans. Elves have plant magic and some other minor elemental strengths, Dragons can manipulate fire and mirror /shadow walk, Dwarves are engineers and geomancers, Void Wyrms can project a false image of themselves and manipulate void, Mer can shake shift between four forms and use water, Sand Serpents can slow time and manipulate air. Primals have unique magic, normally based on their old races magic.
The Nau Empire probably had the most advanced tech. That is followed by Gemretha. Montgart tries to sabotage Gemretha on a regular basis.
War is the main driving force behind tech development.
A large majority of the tech is for convenience, to ease the lives of the upper classes.
Magic varies in how powerful it is. Only Primal magic can really have a worldwide impact.
There is little to no exploration beyond the continent. Those from the Nau Empire who left the continent to escape have not returned. Take that how you like.
There is a magical language, as used by scribes in conjunction with the symbols. There are quite strict rules, but I won't get into them now.
Magic can be instinctive, but rarely. Most need to be taught to use their power.
Types of magic are linked to the number of pairs of Primals in the world, except for anomalies. Their magic is caused by being exposed to a highly magical environment while their magic is developing.
And that will do for this post! Hope it's helpful!
