![]() “‘You're saying it wrong,’ Harry heard Hermione snap. The magic in these books is largely governed by wand movements and incantations, but it also has its own set of rules beyond that.įor example, using specific spells means moving your wand in the right pattern while speaking the accompanying phrase. The series features a complex and intricate magical world, with its own rules, limitations, and costs. The magic system in Harry Potter is one of the most well-known and beloved examples of magic in literature. Famous Magic Systems Magic in Harry Potter If you want a deep dive into magic systems, click here, or check out this article for a guide to creating your own magic system.įor now, let’s look at some of the most well-known magical frameworks. Many magic systems use some blend of hard and soft magic, though they tend to lean more towards one side than the other.Ĭlear as mud? These are just the basics. That said, writers should still know the rules of their soft magic, even if it never makes it onto the pages of your book. ![]() Great writers of soft magic rarely use it to solve problems, as readers won’t understand how the solution would work. Soft magic doesn’t have explicit rules and is instead used to instill a sense of wonder and amazement. These limitations are explicitly outlined for the reader to understand, and magic is regularly used to solve problems and conflicts. Hard magic is any system that has defined, concrete rules the magic and its users follow. On top of that, there are two types of magic systems: hard magic and soft magic. What can’t your spells do? Is some magic off-limits? What stops a magic user from subjugating the entire world? Restrictions are the oft-overlooked limitations to your magic. Maybe you shape elemental power, influence the mind, summon infernal creatures, or shape fate itself. These rules determine when spells can be cast, what’s needed, who can use it, how strong it is, etc.Ībilities are the actual things you can do with the magic you’ve invented. Rules are the governing tenets of your magic. Within a magic system, there are three key elements to consider: rules, abilities, and restrictions. They can be complex or simple, but your magic system should be consistent throughout your novel (with some exceptions). To keep it simple, a magic system refers to the rules, abilities, restrictions, and other details which determine how the magic in your world works. Up first, though, let’s briefly talk about what a magic system is. While we won’t be diving into the minutiae of each system-each of them would take thousands of words on their own-we will be looking at the fundamentals of each system and what differentiates them from one another. In this article, we’re going to look at magic in: Use them for inspiration, a starting point, or just to brainstorm some ideas. One of the ways you can get started is by checking out some other great systems. It’s one of the most fulfilling parts of worldbuilding, in my incredibly humble opinion. If you’re embarking on making your own magic system, you’re in for a great time. In fantasy stories, how much your reader loves your characters, plot, and entire book can hinge on how well you make your magic work. Seriously, magic is the defining element of countless books, providing a framework for characters to grow and epic stories to unfold. There, I’ve said it, and I’m not taking any arguments at this time.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |