Thoughts on my magic system?

[rain-090]

Today I have come here to share the magic system I came up with.

Sorry for any tangents, and please point out stuff that should be changed or can be improved, thank you.

To start with, it is an expanded Elemental type magic system with two different methods of magic.

1. Science based, in this method, the magic follows more closely to how it would physically work in real life. It also includes control over things that are closely related to it. For example, someone with the fire element in this type might have influence over the process of combustion and heat.

2. Idea/Esoteric(I think this is the right word)
When using this method, the magic behaves more along the lines of concepts and ideas related to the element than it does based on how it would react in reality.
For example, someone with water element might have the ability to heal someone.

I'm not sure if I should make these exclusive paths where the user can only go down one or practice both methods.

TANGENT:
It is to note that the idea version would be more prevalent among magical beast of the non intelligent/sapient variety (if I even add them) and science would definitely be where most understanding of science comes from, though it wouldn't completely match up with reality. Hm, maybe there would be a stigma around the idea based since it would be associated with 'lesser' beings. Could definitely see a group taking control and keeping the secrets of science aligned with themselves creating a class....
This has gone on a bit too long.

FUEL:
Haven't really decided but I might just go with the basic Mana thing.
Have Mana be produced by all living things and maybe have it like magnetically or gravitationally attracted to the soul.
This would allow skilled people to also flex their magic be temporarily pushing it away from the soul and causing others to feel it.
Unsure.

Hm, since this could be possible if I decide, maybe there would be a 3rd magic discipline in which the user just manipulates Mana, probably wouldn't have too many directly offensive purposes, but would be good utility.

This could also create the possibility of people trying to tear out someone's Mana supply.

Should probably talk about how someone gets magic.

I plan on there being 2 methods for this

1.certain rituals or items can be used to give someone an element

Or

2. Someone experiences a traumatic/impactful event related to the element in which case that aligns them to it.

It is also good to note that I plan on a person only having one element, not sure if I should make exceptions or drop this and instead make requirements for acquiring others, to be decided later I guess.

On to tiers
I'm thinking of 4 tiers,

1. Normal
The users magic is very raw and inelegant at this stage. The user does have a small area around them in which the user can roughly manipulate their element, but outside of this field, the user loses control over the element and it just goes in its intended direction until it either dissipates or hits something.

2.Master
The user has a more refined control over the element and can (not sure if this should be a thing or not) make runes relating to the element in some way and these runes stay around until they are broken, triggered, or just stop working. The users field of manipulation is also greatly expanded.

3.Awakened
The user has precise control over thing relating to their element. They lose the field restriction and can manipulate their element as far as the eye can see. At this point they also begin to fuse with their magic and even change into a form related to their element. I'm also considering making the magic have an auto defense system too, not sure.
The user also becomes empowered by things relating to there element when near them.

4. God
The user has perfect control over all things related to their element and can cast it anywhere, they may also lose any and all Mana cost restriction (not sure).
The user at this point is indistinguishable from magic.

It is good to note that advancement through these tiers may extend someone's life (unsure)


So, what do you think?

 

[Lloyd]

Did you have to make it so wordy?

 

[rain-090]

Did you have to make it so wordy?

Sorry, it was sorta made in the moment while I had my ideas collected and was semi inspired

 

[Anon_Y_Mousse]

Its just another magic system for now. It all depends on how you implement it into your world and how the characters interact with it.

 

[rain-090]

Its just another magic system for now. It all depends on how you implement it into your world and how the characters interact with it.

Could you offer any advice on this?

 

[NotaNuffian]

Today I have come here to share the magic system I came up with.

Sorry for any tangents, and please point out stuff that should be changed or can be improved, thank you.

To start with, it is an expanded Elemental type magic system with two different methods of magic.

1. Science based, in this method, the magic follows more closely to how it would physically work in real life. It also includes control over things that are closely related to it. For example, someone with the fire element in this type might have influence over the process of combustion and heat.

2. Idea/Esoteric(I think this is the right word)
When using this method, the magic behaves more along the lines of concepts and ideas related to the element than it does based on how it would react in reality.
For example, someone with water element might have the ability to heal someone.

I'm not sure if I should make these exclusive paths where the user can only go down one or practice both methods.

TANGENT:
It is to note that the idea version would be more prevalent among magical beast of the non intelligent/sapient variety (if I even add them) and science would definitely be where most understanding of science comes from, though it wouldn't completely match up with reality. Hm, maybe there would be a stigma around the idea based since it would be associated with 'lesser' beings. Could definitely see a group taking control and keeping the secrets of science aligned with themselves creating a class....
This has gone on a bit too long.

FUEL:
Haven't really decided but I might just go with the basic Mana thing.
Have Mana be produced by all living things and maybe have it like magnetically or gravitationally attracted to the soul.
This would allow skilled people to also flex their magic be temporarily pushing it away from the soul and causing others to feel it.
Unsure.

Hm, since this could be possible if I decide, maybe there would be a 3rd magic discipline in which the user just manipulates Mana, probably wouldn't have too many directly offensive purposes, but would be good utility.

This could also create the possibility of people trying to tear out someone's Mana supply.

Should probably talk about how someone gets magic.

I plan on there being 2 methods for this

1.certain rituals or items can be used to give someone an element

Or

2. Someone experiences a traumatic/impactful event related to the element in which case that aligns them to it.

It is also good to note that I plan on a person only having one element, not sure if I should make exceptions or drop this and instead make requirements for acquiring others, to be decided later I guess.

On to tiers
I'm thinking of 4 tiers,

1. Normal
The users magic is very raw and inelegant at this stage. The user does have a small area around them in which the user can roughly manipulate their element, but outside of this field, the user loses control over the element and it just goes in its intended direction until it either dissipates or hits something.

2.Master
The user has a more refined control over the element and can (not sure if this should be a thing or not) make runes relating to the element in some way and these runes stay around until they are broken, triggered, or just stop working. The users field of manipulation is also greatly expanded.

3.Awakened
The user has precise control over thing relating to their element. They lose the field restriction and can manipulate their element as far as the eye can see. At this point they also begin to fuse with their magic and even change into a form related to their element. I'm also considering making the magic have an auto defense system too, not sure.
The user also becomes empowered by things relating to there element when near them.

4. God
The user has perfect control over all things related to their element and can cast it anywhere, they may also lose any and all Mana cost restriction (not sure).
The user at this point is indistinguishable from magic.

It is good to note that advancement through these tiers may extend someone's life (unsure)


So, what do you think?

Let me try and comment it.

1. It is science based so like wizards from D&D, you need a degree for magic usage. But somehow if a dude gets sodomized as a child and the trauma is great enough, the magic ability can be unlocked? I think that point 2 is only good for freak accidents and should not be the mainstream. Just like FMA, people need to study the arts and learn how to manipulate the elements instead of "ima just jump down the cliffs until I get my magic juju out of me".

2. Idea based magic... this one needs a hard limit, like if you stupid and end up imagining an impossible magic, you die of exhaustion. Magic is seen as the solution to anything and everything, so making it *insert spongebob imagination pic* is a hardsell and a harder to do balancing act. I can just imagine a small fireball in a human body who just happens to stand near me and viola, I killed him through human combustion.

For the record, please set up a boundary of magic, ie shits like spatial, time, reality are out of your storyboard because IMBA OP NERF PLZ. Set up proper elements like the four from Avatar and then slowly try to link them with more like lightning etc.

Also, is your MC "the special one"? If yes, you need to find a method to cap him. If no, why would following his adventure be fun? Cuz of the friends he/she makes?

 

[ElijahRyne]

For your first point it seems like a good idea, but you might need to define the system a bit more. It says that it is more science based, but what does that mean? Is that akin to something like Warlock of the Magus World, or super powers? Right now the definition is vague.

The concept based one is good, but it might need some limitations/rules. In example, if I were to have the earth element, could I split the atom if I knew the concept or the vague process of doing so? Or if I had an impression of Yogsothoth could I open the gates?

For magic beasts you can do what I do. Through evolution, they creatures have evolved to take advantage of mana. Some even naturally form runes and magic patterns in their bodies. This includes humans, who are one of the many/few sapient races.

All in all, I think this is a very good rough draft. It might need some more polishing, and balancing, but it is almost there. In closing, here are a couple of guiding questions, some I had while making my system.

Are the elements something different from mana, and if not/so, why?
Is mana a fundamental particle?
How is mana created?
What can an do?
How is mana stored?
Does the use of mana require intelligence?
What are the elements, how do they work, how many, and where do they come from?
Is magic used through spells, imagination, runes, and/or something else?
What is the limit of power for each realm?
Etc.

 

[rain-090]

For your first point it seems like a good idea, but you might need to define the system a bit more. It says that it is more science based, but what does that mean? Is that akin to something like Warlock of the Magus World, or super powers? Right now the definition is vague.

The concept based one is good, but it might need some limitations/rules. In example, if I were to have the earth element, could I split the atom if I knew the concept or the vague process of doing so? Or if I had an impression of Yogsothoth could I open the gates?

For magic beasts you can do what I do. Through evolution, they creatures have evolved to take advantage of mana. Some even naturally form runes and magic patterns in their bodies. This includes humans, who are one of the many/few sapient races.

All in all, I think this is a very good rough draft. It might need some more polishing, and balancing, but it is almost there. In closing, here are a couple of guiding questions, some I had while making my system.

Are the elements something different from mana, and if not/so, why?
Is mana a fundamental particle?
How is mana created?
What can an do?
How is mana stored?
Does the use of mana require intelligence?
What are the elements, how do they work, how many, and where do they come from?
Is magic used through spells, imagination, runes, and/or something else?
What is the limit of power for each realm?
Etc.

Heh, I was expecting you to show up eventually, thank you very much

Let me try and comment it.

1. It is science based so like wizards from D&D, you need a degree for magic usage. But somehow if a dude gets sodomized as a child and the trauma is great enough, the magic ability can be unlocked? I think that point 2 is only good for freak accidents and should not be the mainstream. Just like FMA, people need to study the arts and learn how to manipulate the elements instead of "ima just jump down the cliffs until I get my magic juju out of me".

2. Idea based magic... this one needs a hard limit, like if you stupid and end up imagining an impossible magic, you die of exhaustion. Magic is seen as the solution to anything and everything, so making it *insert spongebob imagination pic* is a hardsell and a harder to do balancing act. I can just imagine a small fireball in a human body who just happens to stand near me and viola, I killed him through human combustion.

For the record, please set up a boundary of magic, ie shits like spatial, time, reality are out of your storyboard because IMBA OP NERF PLZ. Set up proper elements like the four from Avatar and then slowly try to link them with more like lightning etc.

Also, is your MC "the special one"? If yes, you need to find a method to cap him. If no, why would following his adventure be fun? Cuz of the friends he/she makes?

For the thing about trauma, I would say it more aligns you to the source element of the trauma. Anyone who experiences this would probably start out weaker due to rituals/items being more... refined I suppose?

The idea thing is related concepts associated with the element like water being associated with healing and light associated with holy

For your first point it seems like a good idea, but you might need to define the system a bit more. It says that it is more science based, but what does that mean? Is that akin to something like Warlock of the Magus World, or super powers? Right now the definition is vague.

The concept based one is good, but it might need some limitations/rules. In example, if I were to have the earth element, could I split the atom if I knew the concept or the vague process of doing so? Or if I had an impression of Yogsothoth could I open the gates?

For magic beasts you can do what I do. Through evolution, they creatures have evolved to take advantage of mana. Some even naturally form runes and magic patterns in their bodies. This includes humans, who are one of the many/few sapient races.

All in all, I think this is a very good rough draft. It might need some more polishing, and balancing, but it is almost there. In closing, here are a couple of guiding questions, some I had while making my system.

Are the elements something different from mana, and if not/so, why?
Is mana a fundamental particle?
How is mana created?
What can an do?
How is mana stored?
Does the use of mana require intelligence?
What are the elements, how do they work, how many, and where do they come from?
Is magic used through spells, imagination, runes, and/or something else?
What is the limit of power for each realm?
Etc.

The splitting the atom thing would probably align more with the science thing actually.

The science one is basically fucking with physics

The idea thing is more like how people might associate water with healing or air with freedom and the magic would reflect these ideas associated with it

The idea one is fucking with related concepts


Definitely need to think about that bottom part, thanks

 

[LunaSoltaer]

Definitely at least somewhat interesting; I'm multitasking between this, writing, and talking to my host at the moment. Though I noticed something:

Gaining Magic Through Trauma.

Have you perchance read a Web Serial called Worm? It basically has this as one of its core premises. Though, Worm is wildly reported to be grimdark (and often accused of being grimderp).

One thing you could try to do, is have these two aspects of magic (Science/Concept), be two sides of the same coin.

Magic in your system has a "safety", that prevents harm to the user. Wielding Magic in "Science" mode engages the safety, and is the default method of casting. The metaphorical reason why it works is, of course, because it really IS "Image" Magic, but the Image you are manifesting is backed by physical law.

Proper Image Magic, where you hijack concepts directly, requires a practitioner to disengage their safety, permitting even a slight miscalculation to do severe damage to, and possibly kill, them in the process. But the Image WILL go off, unless there just physically isn't enough Mana to do so.

 

[Ilikewaterkusa]

Today I have come here to share the magic system I came up with.

Sorry for any tangents, and please point out stuff that should be changed or can be improved, thank you.

To start with, it is an expanded Elemental type magic system with two different methods of magic.

1. Science based, in this method, the magic follows more closely to how it would physically work in real life. It also includes control over things that are closely related to it. For example, someone with the fire element in this type might have influence over the process of combustion and heat.

2. Idea/Esoteric(I think this is the right word)
When using this method, the magic behaves more along the lines of concepts and ideas related to the element than it does based on how it would react in reality.
For example, someone with water element might have the ability to heal someone.

I'm not sure if I should make these exclusive paths where the user can only go down one or practice both methods.

TANGENT:
It is to note that the idea version would be more prevalent among magical beast of the non intelligent/sapient variety (if I even add them) and science would definitely be where most understanding of science comes from, though it wouldn't completely match up with reality. Hm, maybe there would be a stigma around the idea based since it would be associated with 'lesser' beings. Could definitely see a group taking control and keeping the secrets of science aligned with themselves creating a class....
This has gone on a bit too long.

FUEL:
Haven't really decided but I might just go with the basic Mana thing.
Have Mana be produced by all living things and maybe have it like magnetically or gravitationally attracted to the soul.
This would allow skilled people to also flex their magic be temporarily pushing it away from the soul and causing others to feel it.
Unsure.

Hm, since this could be possible if I decide, maybe there would be a 3rd magic discipline in which the user just manipulates Mana, probably wouldn't have too many directly offensive purposes, but would be good utility.

This could also create the possibility of people trying to tear out someone's Mana supply.

Should probably talk about how someone gets magic.

I plan on there being 2 methods for this

1.certain rituals or items can be used to give someone an element

Or

2. Someone experiences a traumatic/impactful event related to the element in which case that aligns them to it.

It is also good to note that I plan on a person only having one element, not sure if I should make exceptions or drop this and instead make requirements for acquiring others, to be decided later I guess.

On to tiers
I'm thinking of 4 tiers,

1. Normal
The users magic is very raw and inelegant at this stage. The user does have a small area around them in which the user can roughly manipulate their element, but outside of this field, the user loses control over the element and it just goes in its intended direction until it either dissipates or hits something.

2.Master
The user has a more refined control over the element and can (not sure if this should be a thing or not) make runes relating to the element in some way and these runes stay around until they are broken, triggered, or just stop working. The users field of manipulation is also greatly expanded.

3.Awakened
The user has precise control over thing relating to their element. They lose the field restriction and can manipulate their element as far as the eye can see. At this point they also begin to fuse with their magic and even change into a form related to their element. I'm also considering making the magic have an auto defense system too, not sure.
The user also becomes empowered by things relating to there element when near them.

4. God
The user has perfect control over all things related to their element and can cast it anywhere, they may also lose any and all Mana cost restriction (not sure).
The user at this point is indistinguishable from magic.

It is good to note that advancement through these tiers may extend someone's life (unsure)


So, what do you think?

Good ideas, but to do the first system the scientific one, wouldn’t you need a science textbook or something to understand and see the big brain plays?

 

[rain-090]

Good ideas, but to do the first system the scientific one, wouldn’t you need a science textbook or something to understand and see the big brain plays?

Hm, that may prove to be a problem...

 

[ElijahRyne]

Hm, that may prove to be a problem...

Don’t worry just look some things up, and if you are wrong in your presentation, just say it is due to magic!

 

[Galooza]

To get away with this in a way that you better unterstand and can explain, I think it's important to first address what the science system is actually controlling. From the way you describe it, it sounds more like they're controlling actual physics than elemental mana itself. To that end, you'd wanna establish the lore of each and how one gains them. Or make two branching paths of an elemental user who uses magic based off instinct like beasts as you said, or mind-based who control mana from the world rather than their own elemental mana. My $0.02.

 

[LunaSoltaer]

Know your science to one level higher than you present in the story.

The example the source I gained this info from is genetics: If you introduce Mendel's gene model, you yourself should know enough about chromosomes/etc to know that Mendel's model is a special case rather than the rule.

An example I used in an earlier entry is, if you have an ax^2+bx+c=0 problem and want to find the turning point of the parabola, you can have a character reduce the problem to 2ax+b = 0, solve for x, and plug that back into the original equation to get the y of the vertex, but YOU need to know that what you just did was use the first derivative to find where the slope is horizontal and then plug that solution back in to the normal function. (Or if your character explains that power rule, you should know the fundamental basics of derivatives)

 

[greyblob]

I'm using the scientific method with a touch of the latter. Magic works on concepts/ideas, but requires scientific knowledge on each element. And you can have scrolls/spells that don't require any understanding - only providing the desired spell. It's very fluid, allowing for maximum freedom which also also providing a failsafe for plot holes.

For example, someone with water element might have the ability to heal someone.

This also works without the holy attribute, somewhat. Blood consists of about 90% water and cells for about 60%. You can pump, detox, filter, etc.
Tbh all systems are bullshit. You just have to keep the bullshit consistent.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I'm putting this in a spoiler since the magic in my story doesn't show up until Chapter 40:

Spoiler

Sounds kinda similar to mine, except I don't do tiers. Everyone who has special abilities is a god/goddess, and their strength is on a spectrum based on how many followers they have.

 

[Arkus86]

I can see balance and technical issues with your tiers.

First, there are massive jumps between them, only the jump between Normal and Master being reasonable compared to the rest. (Really not a fan of those xianxia power levels, but that's beside the point)

Second, concerning automatic defense, you should give proper reason for it if you go that way, not just Bam! You advanced a tier and suddenly your magic acts on its own volition to defend you.
Maybe embedding a complex array of runes into your body/soul for that purpose, while only awakened and above have precise enough control to do that without killing or crippling themselves?
Similar to getting power from your element near you, how does it work? If the sourcce of power is mana and mana is produced by living thigs, you could maybe reason some of it with the interaction of elements with mana stored inside organic tissue, for example burning wood attuning the mana stored inside it to fire, which your changing body can more easily absorb? Or something more esoteric than that, like it resonating with your changing form, allowing you better control over mana?

And third, concerning tha last two tiers especially, how do people's areas of control influence each other's magic? You can't go the route where you can't cast inside other people's areas, as that would make awakened just a massive magic jammers to anyone within... dozens of kilometres? Not to mention the mere existence of a God of an element would deny everyone else with that element their magic.
So, what happens to spells when they are in another's area of control, and to what extent can the other person affect it?