Magical Me

26 February 2010 | Filed Under Worldbuilding 

Concluding this week’s crash course on worldbuilding, I offer you the core of fantasy: the magic system.


Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating a magic system, especially if you’re being more creative than normal. But it all boils down to deciding what magic can and cannot do.

Like I said, endless possibilities.

If you don’t know where to start, draw on your favorite stories for inspiration. Harry Potter’s world uses wands and latin-based spells. In the Lord of the Rings, there were a limited number of wizards in the world. In Narnia, magic is everywhere, and accessible in many different ways.

I can’t go through every type of magic system. First of all, it takes too long. Second, there’s too much you can do with it! All I can really do is make sure you think about all sorts of things you might not have considered by asking questions. Ready? Ok, let’s go:

Magic
What are the limits on magic (remember the Genie from Aladdin? Can’t raise people from the dead, can’t make anyone fall in love)? How do wizards call on magic (wand/staff, willpower, etc.)? What types of spells can be done? Is there any illegal magic (raising people from the dead again, etc.)? What’s the price of magic (lose some of your life force, etc.)? Does magic come from the gods? If there are different types of magic, what is each’s strengths and weaknesses? Are spells easy to cast (Harry Potter) or do they require a ritual (basic sacrifice to devil)? What kind of ritual? How long does it take to cast a spell (D&D’s stupid 10-minute casting time)? Is the world filled with magic, or is magic scarce? Are there magic items? Is there a way to strengthen spells (blood, etc.)?

Wizards
How many wizards are in your world? How do people treat them (respect/admire, mistrust, hate, etc.)? Are people born with magic or can it be learned? How long does it take to train in magic? What happens if someone runs out of magic (temporarily, as in ran out of spells, and/or permanently, as in no more magic ever)? Are there jobs in magic (potion-maker, etc.)? Are there ways to travel by magic (Floo Powder, Knight Bus, broomstick, etc.)? Ways to communicate by magic (two-way mirrors, etc.)? Does magic co-exist with or replace technology? Any Laws of Magic (both physical and political)? What happens if you break them? Is there a wizard hierarchy or government?

Species
What kind of races inhabit your world (elves, dwarves, etc.)? Where do they live? Do they have any special talents as a species? Advantages/Weaknesses? How do they interact with humans? With each other (Legolas v. Gimli!)? Do you have magical creatures (unicorns, dragons, etc.)? Where do they live? How do they interact with humans? Do their body parts have any magical significance (Harry Potter’s dragon’s blood, etc.)? How do humans treat them? Which are considered dangerous? Which are kept as pets?

You’re on a roll, keep going with your own questions!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s crash course on worldbuilding – and maybe learned something along the way!












And yes, I am more awesome than Lockhart.

Comments

2 Responses to “Magical Me”

  1. Sara S on February 26th, 2010 5:47 am

    YES! It *was* a HP reference =D

  2. Jenn on February 26th, 2010 6:40 am

    As if there was any doubt! :D

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    Hi, I'm Jenn, new grad student and old YA fantasy writer. I've long dreamed of being a novelist, and I bet you have too. I hope you find my blog helpful, inspiring, and maybe just a little bit fun. (But not too much fun. Writing is serious business, you know.)

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