12 Questions About Your Magic System
Based on this cool post. Seemed like a lot of fun with some worldbuilding about magic, so let's turn it into a tag game.
For my wip When the worlds cross here goes.
1) How is it learned and executed?
Magic has to be studied. It requires focus, imagination and will to use mental casting.
Other types like verbal, written or physical casting need more specifics, work only in certain patterns and ways and take more time. It all comes down back to the will and focus of the mage anyway, no matter the form.
Focus of the mage and his mental image will the magic to do as he wants it to. If the mage achieves this only inside his mind, uses chants, writes symbols or needs certain movements to help him focus is his choice.
3) Does it have a will of its own?
No. Magic isn't a living thing, it's energy and will of the user.
4) Is it restricted in space and time?
No. Mages can cross to other dimensions and universeres with their magic. There are types of magic that channel their magics from an outer course, like their world's atmosphere, but if they depend on their world for magic they won't be able to use it in other worlds. Mages that can always use magic in every world are those that generate their magic themselves.
5) What does available magic do?
On the first level it enhances strenght and speed and can be used for telekinesis. On the second level it becomes visible to the eye, creates shields and energy surges allowing the mage to jump very high, move objects or attack others with energy waves. On third level magic allows you to resonate with one of the 5 elements and guide it as you please.
6) How does it relate to the character, plot and theme of the book?
Magic is the center of the plot with the main characters all being mages and using magic in various forms. The dimensions are categorised by the prominence of magic occuring there. Magic is also a metaphor for a major theme of the story which is too much of a spoiler to reveal.
7) What is the cost of magic?
Exhaustion. If a mage oversteps his limits, the magic flow will start harming him. At first it will result into nausea, fever and overall sickness and body pain for a few days. If too much it will start to break the body apart from the inside out. Bruises will appear across the body, bleeding eyes, ears, internal bleeding and death.
Magic can't heal, bring the dead to life, can't connect minds or read thoughts.
9) How long does it last?
Depending on the stamina of the user if the mage generates his own magic. If the mages uses an outer source there is only so much magic his body can stand to channel at once. It can be trained though.
Mages are people born with the ability. There is a genetical predisposition. Magic has to be trained however from early childhood or the ability atrophies. Children and teenagers that didn't exercise or use magic will lose the ability in their adulthood. There is no getting it back from there.
11) How do others react to it?
Depending on where. In dimensions where magic is common and widespread it's part of everyday life. In worlds destroyed during the Era of Wars magic is regarded as dangerous and disgusting instrument of destruction. In worlds where magic is rare it's mostly retreating in favour of technological progress that is open to everyone.
12) Why haven’t people with this power taken over the world?
They have. Mages rule their worlds, all dimensions under the jurisdiction of the self-proclaimed King of Mages, from the royal family that won the Era of Wars with their magic.
Tagging people with magic in their wips if you would like some worldbuilding questions: @piratequeenofpixies @writerwiththegoodhair @possibledreamswriting @sheabutterskyes @visionofwriters @tenacious-scripturient (I hope I didn't misunderstand anybody's genre)
& anyone feel free to do this and say I tagged you!
@the-violet-writer @cirianne @cawolters - I love your wips they are amazing, I look up to you so much! I don't normally tag you in games but thought maybe this could be of interest? I would love to know your answers, no pressure though :)
Also wip tag list: @broad-skies @fruzsiwrites
