#building magic

[dduane]

Re: Magic systems

kosmonaunt asked:

I have the weird hyper-fixation of wanting to know all their is about The Speech and just how everything works!! I love learning about how power systems work, and it helps since I’m trying to develop my own. I’m always stuck on soft or hard magic systems. Since I don’t know all there is to really know about my system. Do you have tips on crafting magic systems? How do you feel about someone being inspired by pieces of your system?

Inspiration is fine! What you want to make sure you do with whatever inspires you, though, is to work hard to make your own take on it different from or better than what you borrowed. Around here we refer to this as "the magpie principle:" if you're going to pick up and play with/make off with a bright and shiny idea, you need to be working to produce something even brighter and shinier as your part of the "exchange". Whether or not you succeed at this (or can succeed), either sometimes or never at all, isn't the point. The point is to always be trying.

As regards building magic systems: there were three different ones in the foreground or background of my first novel alone—all of them with features that at this end of time I can recognize as being inspired by elements of magic systems in other writers' work. But by the time I'd more fully developed them, each had become something unique. The system I'm probably better known for—the system based on the wizardly Speech and its use—sprang more or less automatically from the increasingly complex answers to the question, "What if there was a manual that could tell you the truth about/the secrets of what makes the world go?". (Because once you answer one question, another pops up. "Where did that manual come from? What're you supposed to do with it? What's wizardry for?" Etc., etc.) I've spent the last few decades, on and off, answering that question in ways that (intentionally) mirror the main characters' exploration of the art of wizardry, and what it means to engage in the business of errantry in a world that mostly thinks wizards are a fairy tale.

Before getting into describing my own approach to building a system, I needed to take a little time to look around and make sure I knew what you meant when you mentioned hard and soft magic. My best guess is that you're referring to what a lot of people are calling "Sanderson's Three Laws of Magic" (fairly enough, as Brandon calls them that himself). I had a look, and have come to the conclusion that they're more general guidelines than laws... as in each of his three essays on the subject, Brandon no sooner names his basic laws/principles than he starts punching holes through them to make room for systems that don't follow them rigidly. (And frankly I find this kind of endearing.)

With his first one, in particular, I have no quarrel at all: the concept that in one kind of magic, which for his purposes he defines as the "hard" kind, rules are extremely important. (Which is why I'm kind of horrified that he apparently got dogpiled about this take on a Worldcon panel, because to me it seems so intuitive. Some of the best fantasy storytellers I know, like this one, would agree with him.) Then later he gets on to the equally valid ideas that limitations on magic are really important, and that culturally interconnecting multiple systems is useful; and here too we're in agreement. This is reassuring to me, considering that I built my first four systems—all of which feature approaches resting on similar concepts—while Sanderson was between four and six years old. :)

People using Sanderson's Laws will look at the three systems in the Middle Kingdoms books and classify them as varying sorts of relatively hard magic, with their power rooted in two or maybe three different sources. (The blue Fire is a gift of the Divine, nearly lost since ancient times and much damaged, but now slowly being recovered: sorcery is a language-based art in which no one's terribly sure where its power comes from: and the so-called "royal magics" probably started out as a blood sorcery that over centuries was shifted toward very specific uses by the power of the demigod-descendants who employed it.)

The Young Wizards novels, though, feature an extremely hard magic deeply rooted in science and (more or less under the hood) very, very rules-intensive... while its power relies on correct use of the language used to create the Universe, and the active cooperation of the Powers still busy about that work. And this is the reason why, though people are going to naturally be curious about the Speech itself, no one's going to hear very much from me about its actual words.

This is because the Speech is canonically described as so powerful that its use is something you can feel in your body and mind (and theoretically your spirit): bone-shaking, life-changing, unmistakable. And there's no way that made-up words on the page can realistically be expected to evoke physical sensations like that in the reader... or like the sense of the universe going silent around you, leaning in to listen, as you speak your spell. The careful writer knows that it's unwise to attempt to produce responses in the reader that, when they fail, will only emphasize how that thing is not happening, and stands a good chance of shattering the illusion one’s trying to weave.

So a Speech-word gets dropped here and a phrase there, but no one's ever going to get enough of it out of me to try to build a spell. Readers are better at doing that work for themselves in their own heads, out of hints and whispers. Over ten books and their interstitial material, there are plenty of those scattered through the text: not to mention the most basic principles of wizardry, which are laid out before the end of the first chapter of the first book in the series. So I'll leave you to get on with deducing what you can from canon.

Meanwhile, if I was about to build a new system, I'd look at my main characters—in the setting of their home cultures—and ask myself for answers to these questions:

What do they want more than anything?

Why can't they have it?

What kind of power will help them get it?

When they do eventually get within reach of the power / the desired thing... what will its achievement cost them?

And will they pay the price?

...Because the payment of such prices is where you find out what your heroes are worth. (Or aren't.) The above arc succinctly describes, in broad strokes, both The Door into Fire and So You Want To Be A Wizard, and a good number of the books that follow them. (Because why abandon what works, or try to fix what's not broken?) :)

With answers to the questions above you can start feeling your way toward what you need—always looking closely at the cultures your characters spring from, and how those cultures will shape their response to the magic they seek. (Or that finds them.) Maybe it's no surprise that the preferred arc structure of a writer who was a psychiatric nurse will be deeply involved with questions of motivation: because motivation is at the heart of almost all human behavior. Find the motivation and you find the character's heart—and, often enough, what kind of magic they need to make their desire and intention overflow into triumph.

...There are quite a few "How to design your magic system" pages out there. You might glance at these to see if there's anything useful in them for you:

How To Build An Amazing Magic System For Your Fantasy Novel

How To Create A Magic System In Six Simple Steps

Building Your Magic System: A Full Recipe

How To Create A Rational Magic System

However, my favorite is the "So You Want To Write A Functional Magic System" page at TV Tropes, which is nicely arranged yet also completely nonprescriptive—a pick-'n'-mix jar of prompts, things other writers have done that've worked, and generally useful ideas. (And try not to vanish too far down the many interconnected rabbitholes...) :)

Now get out there, build the world, and make the magic(s).

#magic systems #building magic #magic #writing advice #fantasy

[escapismsworld]

Sintra, Portugal

#dark academia #light academia #classical #academia aesthetic #academia #escapism #books and libraries #classic literature #books #architecture #old #building #historical #portugal #royal core #cottage core #goblincore #fairy core #magical #fantasy #aesthetics #mood #vibe #tumblr

[plumadot]

Hii!! I just wanted to lyk that your art looks like marshmallows in the best way. Like, it genuinely gives off that fluffy sweet vibe. Idk if your requests are open but I love the way you draw Scott so if you had more of him that'd be amazing. Also I just learned there's no such thing as a marshmallow emoji and now I'm so sad. Wtv, your art is still sweet! 🍮🍰

when your husband is gone so nothing matters anymore

#i'm slowly making scott more and more elf #and i kinda wanna do that with everyone i love the fantasy vibes #i sorta view the building and block placing in minecraft as magic so i like drawing it that way heheh #also thank you anon gosh you are so kind #plume art #traffic smp #third life smp #scott smajor

[aurosoulart]

alright. that's it. technology has gone too far

#figmin xr #ar #augmented reality #vr #virtual reality #video #alternate caption: My Blue Toilet #i just got this build and needed somewhere dark to test it #brain is reeling thinking of what to do with this #entirely virtual shadow puppet shows #a ceiling covered in gently glowing stars #bioluminescence #shadowboxes lit from within #glowing mushrooms #magical runes #holy shit #holy shiiiitt #this might be the thing to get me out of my art block #anyways uh. enjoy toilet video LMAO

[vcreatures]

Sometimes referred to as the Sea Mandrake the Deadman’s Kelp are particularly rare and quite difficult to harvest. Deadman’s kelp is a piece of maritime botany that both seafarers and sea witches alike covet and actively seek. 

Sired by the decomposing bodies of shipwrecked fisherman or sailors these plants are used for their unique ability to call the winds or sway the seas, not unlike the conch of a Triton. However, the art of taming a Deadman’s kelp is a difficult one. If not properly utilized, what could have been the aid of a gentle wind or moving current could bring upon a massive storm. A Deadman’s kelp’s mouth, when above the water, must be covered at all times. Allowing it to wale above the waves, uncontrolled, would spell disaster. What would seem an easy fete can be difficult when Deadman’s Kelp mouths are typically gaping maws filled with serrated teeth and their bodies a wriggling, slimy, mass of flesh and detritus. 

Mermaids are not fond of these abominations of the sea and typically do away with them if encountered. 

#mandrake #botany #world building #magical plants #fantasy #conceptart #conceptdesign #creatureconcept #illustration #seaweed #witchcraft #digital art #sketch #drawing #fantasy art #creature design #concept art #creature concept #concept design #monster #speculative evolution

[doodlesforfics]

Who’s Old Now? by @lirabuswavi​ (um i hope i tagged the right person, cause like im 80% sure you are same ao3 lirabuswavi, if not im sorry <;D)

ok this one-shot literally opened my eyes to sheer chaos possibility of Adult!Fenton adopting kid Billy B. while Teenager!Phantom being mistaken as Shazam’s ward and just ladskjsdk??? superhero/magic/ghost community would not be prepared. amazing fic. such fun.

and some doodles inspired by the fic

let lil Billy have retired ghost superhero possibly eldritch overpowered being Phantom as protective Dad.

#dpxdc #dp x dc #dp x dc crossover #Danny Phantom #shazam #billy batson #danny fenton #captain marvel shazam #jazz fenton #adult danny fenton #i build a little headcanon in my head that out of all communities ghosts are the most accepting?? of this strange development #like. superheroes are: oh anicent magical Shazam has a ward. a son now about whom he cares very much and also he is apparently?? ghost WAIT #magical ppl: ah Shazam aka Billy has gained an incredibly powerful being as his guardian. oh. he is ex-hero.HE DEAFEATED THE GHOST KING #AND HE KNOWS A TIME LORD?? #ghosts: oh hey halfa got himself a kid! he is also magic. huh neat. anyways back to usual ghost shennanigans #also now Shazam is under Phantom protection. so if ghost ever attacl JL they are like: Hey wait a sec arent u like... Phantom's? #Billy: sweating nerviously #ghost: aw shit cant mess with you then. ur friends are fair game tho #maybe some new ghost uncle and aunts for billy too who knows. #just really fun ;) thoughts that this fic inspired lol #anyway i hope you might like the silly art LiraBuswavi! #Who's Old Now? by LiraBuswavi #fanfic fanart

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 183

There’s a loud snarling noise outside the window. 

Not that Jazz is concerned. She’s just also trying to study for med school and would appreciate some quiet. And preferred her brother not contracting rabies whenever he tried to square off with the local rogue or three who tried to use the alley. 

As he had put it, it was his alley, he’d claimed it for tinkering. Though perhaps she should maybe ask him to quiet down on his insisted territorialism, even if she understood it. She would also probably maul someone if they tried to enter their apartment flat. It came with the territory of being ecto contaminated, or as the rest of them were now calling it, with being a liminal. 

Once the more draconic aspects started to emerge well, one wasn’t just contaminated anymore after all. Hence the whole school-worth of them leaving Amity while all their parents waged war against the guys in white. Last she heard it was going well. 

Which meant she could focus on her studies as soon as- okay it wouldn’t be quiet, it seems the rest of the kids joined in on mauling the poor idiot who tried to steal their things from the alley. Damn…

#Ghosts are Dragons #Dcxdp #Dpxdc #Prompts #Liminal Amity Park #Technically ecto-contaminated but the younger generations are full blown mutated & liminal so #Why yes Danny’s ghost form is a dragon & yes all of these teens are in a rundown abandoned apartment building #They’re repairing it & doing school online while hiding from the government #Why yes the local hero HAS noticed them #But Billy is also living in said apartment building sooo #They’ve all clocked him as Marvel but Snitches get Stitches #Or mauled by rabid liminal children with dragon instincts now #Dora & Fright Knight are their babysitters #Billy is delighted to learn how to use a sword #What better place for them to hide than the city full of magic that sees inhuman things every day #billy batson #No Ghost King Danny #It would be funny if it's one of his parents but no ghost king danny

[autismdogg]

My Little Pony Build-A-Bear collection, 2013

#build a bear #mane 6 #mlp #mlp g4 #my little pony #my litte pony friendship is magic #friendship is magic #kidcore #plushies #plush #stuffed animals #stuffies #2010s nostalgia #2010s #transparent png #png #cute pngs #plushcore #sfw agere

[machinegrl]

waking up at noon

#ts4 builds #ts4 #the sims 4 #ts4 gameplay #c:alexander goth #mgbuilds #practical magic #c:viola blackman

[soft5ku11]

A comic to properly introduce Prof. (Austin) Maple. He is absolutely the guy to run to his discord friends in a crisis - for better or for worse...

If you want to know exactly why this is happening to him, take a look at the original character plan I made when designing him here.

#my art #fat art #weight gain #weight gain art #male weight gain art #mpl tag #fat belly #instant weight gain #magic weight gain #yes that is professor magnolia from galar. yes she plays minecraft. yes she prefers to play on peaceful. #no i do not know why pike queen lucy is here either and i also dont know why she uses tone indicators #girl dresses as and works/lives in a building that looks like her fave pokemon shes got that good good autism yk i can see it for her <3

[wasiantrash]

#this applies to all conditions but I specifically am writing a neurodivergent character in a magical world #writers on tumblr #writeblr #neurodivergent #actually adhd #actually autistic #tourette syndrome #tourettes #actually tourettic #fantasy #fantasy world building #world building #writing #adhd

[ghostbsuter]

The house of Nightingale & Constantine ( P. 3 )

> previous

.・゜-: ✧ :-

"Why are you avoiding me." Green eyes, sharp and unflinching, locked on Danny.

Startled, he turns to the younger boy, Damian? Bruce's only blood kid, he reminds himself.

"I'm not avoiding you." He denies, shaking his head, eyes trailing off.

But Damian knows, he learned and memorised the movements, signs, and behaviour of human kind.

"Do not lie to me, Nightingale."

The use of the name triggers something, and both Damian and Danny jump back, startled and cautious.

"What's the meaning of this!" The boy demanded, snatching his sword from the hilt.

The other raised his hands, pleading. "Look Damian– put the sword down and let me explain, please?"

They stood in tense silence, the sword pushed down reluctant and swiftly tugged back in.

"Explain."

Danny sighs in relief.

"You're more than aware of your parentage, yes?"

A nod, if not slightly confused. "Wayne?"

"No, al Ghul."

He keeps his facial expression and body language closed, obviously trained, and tilts his head to the Ghost. Listening, assessing.

Danny swallows as the air takes on sparks, dangerously close to one another.

If only Dick was in the mansion, maybe he'd cut the air with a knife followed by laughter and help him escape.

"The al Ghul line is in a delicate balance that can be toppled any time," he explains. "it's an old house, new compared to the houses of ancient, but powerful."

"You're saying," Damian drawls, carefully placing the words to form the sentence. "that the line of Al Ghul is... magic." He is studying the older, eyes narrowed and focused.

He knew such accusation would be called ridiculous by the younger. It would definitely earn him a few attempted kills.

"Not all dark houses are magic, just magic adjusted. The reason al Ghul is where it is today is that the founder, your grandfather, is still alive."

"You're aware such claims would have your head."

A wince.

"Fine." Damian scoffs. "We will go back to that after, tell me of the name triggering then."

"Names have power, but family names are more powerful, especially those of dark houses. If another dark house calls—"

"It registers as a warning and summoning." He finished, unfazed at the owlish blinks received.

"You were taught."

"I was, you're right, the al Ghuls are not magic. I haven't taken it seriously back then, I now see the error of my actions." The boy simply states, arms crossed.

"Calling another house of dark by name and immediately pulling a weapon is a declaration of challenge." Dannt adds after a moment of quiet. "I would rather not fight and make an enemy here."

"Not an enemy, but neither an ally?" Is quickly thrown back.

The Nightingale shrugs. "I'm not fond of your grandfather," he admits. "but it's known that every generation changes the house, I would not mind being the ally of the al Ghuls, if it meant you did the contract."

"Being an ally to my name only and to the al Ghul if asked." Green eyes, borderline neon, it reminds Danny of the zone. "Bold."

A grin cracks through, and Danny gestures to the door. "We can discuss the terms during snack time, if you wish, al Ghul."

A spark and Damian scowls harder. "Stop that." He says. "Let's do so, Father would be quite pleased knowing I've made more allies."

As he stomps to out, Danny follows with a jump in his steps, very pleased.

Nightingale 1, Constantine 0!

#the house of constanine and the house of nightingale have infinite beef #dcxdp #dpxdc #dp x dc crossover #danny and john have family beef #the house of Nightingale and the line of al Ghul under Damians name have become allies #the line of al Ghul is a house of dark #danny and damian are gonna be besties in the most posh and annoying eay #way* sorry #i love these guys man and this story #oh!!! chapter 1 of the official story is in the making!!!! #why WOULDNT damian help danny by beating an older man and gain benefits from it? #the al Ghuls are not magic but gather power from a parallel dimension that is in fact the ghost realm #they have a patron ancient that i will be creaitng half assed and hope for the best #WORLD BUILDING

[ghost-bxrd]

Prototype of the Mockingjay suit inspired by the versions of @cyrwrites and @investyourlove1019

For a short while Gothamites only know/refer to him as “Anti-Robin” or “Robin’s Evil Twin”.

Criminals quickly learn to be wary of this violent little gremlin and absolutely terrified of the Red Hood who follows in his wake.

“If it’s child shaped and doing flips off buildings it’s either Robin or his Evil Twin. Don’t stay to find out which, just fuckin’ run. At best you’re facing the Bat, at worst…”

— excerpt of a recording recovered from the smoking remains of one of Black Mask’s bases, The Antithesis of Magic

#the antithesis of magic #slowly building up this tag #and cleaning up that long ass master post #until I can post the first chapter #Bruce Wayne #kid Bruce Wayne is mockingjay #Jason Todd raises Bruce Wayne #alternate universe #time travel #dimension travel shenanigans #Jason Todd #batfamily #batfam #dick grayson #tim drake #anti!robin #art #digital art #wip #doodle #sketch #character design

[ultimateinferno]

Brennan Lee Mulligan MinMaxing yet another PC that will very likely make me cry while also bodying his opponents.

#dimension 20 #d20 #brennan lee mulligan #dnd #dungeons and dragons #d&d #acofaf #a court of fey and flowers #the ravening war #trw #misfits and magic #kp hob #evan kelmp #bishop raphaniel charlock #this is my style of character building as well #i originally made this photo to describe myself actually #i always start with a character thar is fun and powerful and explain the minmax with backstory #for example i dumped charisma hard on one of my PCs in favor of pumping his physical stats #then i wrote his entire conflict surrounding his crippling loneliness and longing for companionship #that is constantly sabotaged by his inability to communicate #i demanded my DM to give me charisma rolls #hands down my favorite PC i every made

[tatertato]

cirque de la vie lore!

some cirque de la vie lore crumbs for those interested!

if you haven't come across the au yet, here is a list of posts as of now:

the songbirds+skizz and tango

etho and bdubs

martyn and cleo comic part 1

comic part 2

comic part 3

IMPORTANT: the magic/sigils system used in this au (specifically the symbols themselves) is original- it's something i pulled directly from my oc's universe because i didn't want to make a whole new elemental magic system. that being said, outside the context of this au, PLEASE DON'T USE IT! i have other plans for my oc project eventually, and i'd like to keep the system within the realm of my work

and here we go!

and that's all! if you have any questions, my ask box is open!

coming soon: shinyduo!

#traffic smp #trafficblr #life series smp #3rd life #secret life #double life #last life #limited life #magic system #world building #life series au #CirqueDeLaVieAU

[caycanteven]

Don Balsam ref I? I think?

Cant believe the mafia version got a “ref” before his actual one LOL.

Balsam has a powerful hand in the medical field in his part of the city and some parts outside it depending on alliances. If an unfamiliar subordinate ends up in one of "his" facilities, it's not uncommon to hear from a another boss or even a Don looking for "cures" for their family who got in a pretty bad tussle. Don Bal doesn't really show himself in public unless it's to visit his favorite diner—or his favorite waitress, and meet for business. People who know his practices well nicknamed him "The Doctor.”

#I drew this instead of sleeping #my art #sans #sans au #undertale au #caycantdoodle #horrorfell sans #Balsam Sans #Bal Sans #MHF Sans #mafia horror fell #Balsam has to concentrate to transition his magic to it’s healing properties. #his magic is scarce and he has to rest constantly to build y #it’s how he can distinguish his drugs from good and bad #Lex works at the diner and is a hard working waitress #he makes sure she’s taken care of. #he’s offered her several medicines for injuries from work #very protective of his business and willing to threaten big families