Magic System

Lessien · Dec 5, 2007

All right, I'm currently working out the magic system for the world my story is set in, and I was wondering if you guys could alert me to any red flags--things that might be considered occultic.

Type of System: Elemental (based on earth, water, wind, fire, light and darkness)

Earth, water, wind and fire are lumped into a group known as "Common Magic." As the name implies, Common Magic can be used by anyone. It is taught in elementary schools onward, much the same way math and science are taught. Those who are naturally good with a certain "branch" of Magic might go into a career stemming from that branch. (For example, someone who is good with water magic might become a sailor, or a firefighter.) Those who aren't good with Magic might look into a career that doesn't require the use of Magic, like journalism or politics.

Light and Darkness: Those will factor prominently into the story, but they are very rare. Only two characters in the story use them. (And I haven't quite worked out how the system governing those two elements will work yet.)

The whole system is still being developed, so if you see any major red flags, tell me.

Lessien · Dec 6, 2007

....anyone?

Paladin Dave · Dec 6, 2007

JUST journalism and politics? So I couldn't be a smith, or an accountant, or a warrior?

But really... sounds good. I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to fantasy magic, but I like it.

Lessien · Dec 6, 2007

No. You have to be a journalist or a politician. It's not clear how the countries are protected, or how cars are made.

Thanks. No major red flags or anything?

CelticRose · Dec 6, 2007

I hate to be the one to say it but the 4 elements are used in occult practises. However I don't necessarily see that as a problem depending on how your characters are using them. What exactly are you worried about?

Paladin Dave · Dec 6, 2007

They were occultic, but the first major person to try and make them scientific was a Christian, Saint Thomas Aquinas. It's only really linkable to paganism because to them, like St. Aquinas, it was all they knew; they didn't know better.

Tariel · Dec 6, 2007

I don't see anything wrong

NeoScribe · Dec 6, 2007

These element things have been used often with the pagans and Wiccans, but they have also long been an established Fantasy trope and go back even farther in the alchemy of the old dead guys. Light and Dark I don't recall seeing until recently though, possibly with the rise of yinyang beliefs and I could never see them as elements, if thats anything to think on.

Tariel · Dec 7, 2007

I've seen Light and Dark elements used before in fiction. They work well, and no, they didn't seem occultic in the least. You don't need to worry about using the other four elements either - think of it this way, if they can be used in a show on Nickelodeon and the parents haven't freaked out yet, you're good.

This is actually pretty similar to the earlier versions of the magic system I'm using, but it just wasn't quite fitting into my story right, so I altered some things

NeoScribe · Dec 7, 2007

Same story here. Didn't actually call in magic but at the insistance of my friend (who's story it is I'm writing) that classical elements plus Light and Dark were to be the cenral power system. Problem is I knew what he meant by light and dark (he watches too much anime) and since he wanted the MC to be the darkness element I changed it when he wasn't looking. Now I have a character with Moon Element. and no light.

Lessien · Dec 7, 2007

Thanks everyone. Now all I have to do is figure out how this magic will be used....without pulling a Paolini and blatantly copying a magic system I really like from an existing universe.

CelticRose · Dec 8, 2007

Now, now, Lessien, just follow the anti guide to the letter & you'll do fine!

Lessien · Dec 8, 2007

Oh, of course! How silly of me! Let's see...I really liked Rowling's wand system....so I'll use that! And while I'm copying other authors' material.....well, my villain was going to be a young mage named Dimitri, but I think I'll call him Moldevort!

Tariel · Dec 8, 2007

Lessien, on further examination of your magic system, I have come to the conclusion that you are missing something very important......

A cheese element!!

Lessien · Dec 8, 2007

Oh, right! Of course! After all....

It's cheese that makes the mice go round
It's mice that make the cats go round
It's cats that make the dogs go round
It's dogs that make the boys go round
It's boys that make the girls go round
It's love that makes the world go round
So cheese makes the world go round!

How could I have forgotten? Cheese is the most important element!

No....wait....that's chocolate. Chocolate is the most important element.

sunstruckdream · Dec 9, 2007

I think it looks good. I have the basic four elements going on in my book, too. They don't HAVE to be occultic. Only if you make them that way.

sunstruckdream · Dec 9, 2007

CelticRose said:
Now, now, Lessien, just follow the anti guide to the letter & you'll do fine!

ahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!

Tariel · Dec 9, 2007

Lessien said:
Oh, right! Of course! After all....

It's cheese that makes the mice go round
It's mice that make the cats go round
It's cats that make the dogs go round
It's dogs that make the boys go round
It's boys that make the girls go round
It's love that makes the world go round
So cheese makes the world go round!

How could I have forgotten? Cheese is the most important element!

No....wait....that's chocolate. Chocolate is the most important element.

I would have to agree Chocolate is definitely the most important element.

Hehe...a couple of my friends developed a magic system once that revolved entirely around food. That's college males for you, I guess.

Paladin Dave · Dec 9, 2007

I just love gender generalizations, don't you?

Hmm... chocolate or cheese... I can't figure out which is better.

CelticRose · Dec 9, 2007

Chocolate, definitely ~ & there's a gender generalization for you.

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