So you had an idea for a new fantasy story. Or maybe you’ve been working on one for a while, but the magic system is vague and undefined. You may be struggling to figure out the guidelines to setting up your magic system in a clear, consistent manner. Perhaps you’re not sure what topics to consider. Well, here’s just the thing for you! Take a look at this breakdown of important areas to consider, along with brief explanations and examples in media. Stay tuned for in depth looks at each topic to come. At the end of this article, I’ve laid out what the completed template might look like in a few popular stories.
(Note: “Magic” and “magic wielders” are all-encompassing terms for simplicity’s sake. Some instances of these are not considered “magic” specifically within the source, such as the Force or superhero abilities, or other terms for “magic wielders” are used, such as wizard, sorcerer, or something unique to the world. However, the suggestions may still apply.)
Areas to consider:
You may be wondering how to decide which category to use, or where to start. Go with what you already know. Why did you decide to write this new story? Did you think of a plotline you like? Were there a few magic abilities you wanted to explore? Whatever inspired you, use that as your basis for getting the ball rolling.
For example, in my own works, I once started with three magic abilities I really liked. Over time I delved into the mechanics behind where the magic came from and how these people got them. In another instance, my Satyr Wars series was by nature a satire of Star Wars and traditional high fantasy, and it included many mythological creatures. Therefore, I knew going into it that I’d need a magic system that could work with a variety of creatures, ring true of a typical fantasy world, and bare some similarities to the Force. I’ll add an article in the future detailing my magic systems and the process I used to create them for anyone who would like to see the process in action.
You’ll also notice that some themes run throughout several categories. If your magic is sourced from an item, that automatically answers several of the questions. Of course, you can always use a combination of things so long as they interact logically in your world. It’s really up to you how complex or simple you want your system to be.
Here are some examples of popular or interesting magic systems:
Harry Potter
The Sixth Sense
Aladdin
Firestarter*
**Fire is the predominant form, but the true magic is psychic related.
***While the experiment participants had extreme limitations of extent and physical damage, Charlie had virtually no limitations, which in and of itself caused many problems. If you are going to have sparse limitations on your characters, be prepared to explore the consequences of that route in contrast to a magic system with established limitations.
Fullmetal Alchemist*
**Select alchemist choose to use ability specific alchemy.
***Although alchemy requires a conduit to be used, only select individuals are able to use it even in those circumstances.
****The philosopher’s stone is nearly limitless in extent, but the limit lies in whether or not the alchemist has it in their possession. Also note that even though it is seems limitless, it does have a limit, albeit it requires extreme amount of age and use to reach it.
The Rithmatist
(Note: “Magic” and “magic wielders” are all-encompassing terms for simplicity’s sake. Some instances of these are not considered “magic” specifically within the source, such as the Force or superhero abilities, or other terms for “magic wielders” are used, such as wizard, sorcerer, or something unique to the world. However, the suggestions may still apply.)
Areas to consider:
- Type of magic
- General
- Magic is drawn from a source of energy and can be manipulated in a variety of ways depending on the wielder’s intent
- Examples: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars
- Elemental
- Magic wielders can only use magic based off an element, such as fire, water, earth, etc.
- Can either be portrayed where the wielder can only use one specific element per mage or can use multiple elements
- Examples: Avatar: The Last Airbender, Final Fantasy, Codex Alera
- Abilities
- Magic wielders can use magic from a variety of specific types such as psychic, super strength, shapeshifting, etc.
- Generally portrayed where the wielder can only use one specific ability, but in some cases they can use multiple abilities
- Generally a variety of abilities will be represented by different people
- Examples: X-Men, Charlie Bone, The Incredibles
- Paranormal
- Magic specifically revolves around the ability to see and/or interact with the “spiritual realm,” such as ghosts or demons
- Frequently used in world settings that otherwise don’t involve magic
- Often, but not always, accompanies by visions/prophecies
- Examples: The Shining, The Sixth Sense, ParaNorman
- General
- Source of magic
- Individual
- Magic wielders contain the form of magic sourced directly within them
- Examples: Harry Potter, Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Item
- The individual may not be inherently magical, but certain magical items can allow them to wield magic
- Possible types of items: enchanted sword, ring, amulet, clothing article, magic lamp, book, time machine
- Often, but not always, used in the same world settings containing individual magic
- Examples: the ring in Lord of the Rings, the silver/ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz, the lamp in Aladdin
- Spell/Ritual
- The individual may or may not be inherently magical, but can access magic through spells or rituals
- Usually, but not always, seen in stories involving witchcraft
- Can be used in the same world settings containing individual magic or in worlds where magic is otherwise nonexistent
- Examples: Evil Dead, The Craft, horror stories involving séances
- Individual
- Method of obtaining magic
- Born with it
- Magic wielders naturally possess magic their entire lives
- Either active from birth or dormant magic that is activated at some point in life
- Examples: Harry Potter, Star Wars, X-Men
- Obtained through outside means
- Individual is born without magic, but gains magic through some means later in life
- Examples: Preacher, Firestarter, stories involving creatures such as vampires or werewolves
- Only accessed in certain circumstances
- In cases where the magic is sourced through an item, spell, or ritual, the wielder will only be able to use magic while in possession of the item or for the duration of the spell or ritual
- Examples: See “Items” and “Spells” above
- Born with it
- Likelihood of being able to obtain magic
- Inherited
- Inherited by all descendants
- Magic is passed through the bloodline, and all (or the vast majority) descendants within that bloodline possess the ability to use magic
- Especially common in stories with alternate species/creatures such as fairy folk, though it can be seen in stories with only humans
- Examples: “Pure bloods” or “Half bloods” in Harry Potter, Sword of Truth, Elves in Lord of the Rings
- Inherited by some descendants
- Magic is passed through the bloodline, but it only shows up some of the time
- Examples: Avatar: The Last Airbender, Paranorman
- Inherited by all descendants
- Sporadic
- Magic is a possibility for pretty much anyone, but turns up randomly
- After it presents itself, it may or may not be more likely to appear in descendants
- Examples: X-Men, The Rithmatist, “Muggles” in Harry Potter
- Indifferent
- In cases where the magic is sourced through an item, spell, or ritual, it depends more on the item/spell/ritual being used than the specific person using it
- Note: sometimes only certain people can use the magic within the item/spell/ritual, in which case this would fall under the other categories; this is for instances where anyone can yield the magic regardless of who possesses the item/spell/ritual
- In cases where the individual was not born with magic but acquired it through some other means later on, it does not matter who the individual is
- Examples: See “Items,” “Spells,” and “Obtained through outside means” above
- In cases where the magic is sourced through an item, spell, or ritual, it depends more on the item/spell/ritual being used than the specific person using it
- Inherited
- Method of using magic
- Will
- Magic is available to the magic wielder to use whenever they will it into being
- Examples: X-Men, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars
- Constant
- Magic is always running, regardless of the magic wielder’s intent or control
- Often part of paranormal or healing magic
- Examples: The Sixth Sense, certain X-Men, Horns
- Directed
- Magic is sourced from the wielder, but it is weak or non-existent unless directed through the use of an item, process, or symbol
- Examples: Harry Potter, The Rithmatist, Fullmetal Alchemist
- Item/spell/ritual
- Magic is sourced from an item/spell/ritual, and the individual does not have the ability to use magic unless in possession of/affected by it
- Examples: See “Items” and “Spells” above
- Will
- Limitations of magic
- Extent of power
- The magic wielder can only use magic within the realm of their own ability, which can vary depending on their natural magic level, energy, and training
- Everyone may have a similar natural magical level, or some individuals may have greater access and others minimal
- Examples: Star Wars, Naruto, X-Men
- Magic nature
- Some magic is by its very nature limited
- Some types of limitations: certain number of uses (item), can only be used under certain conditions (i.e. able to manipulate water, but requires a water source), structure of magic (i.e. in The Rithmatist, magic is two-dimensional and can only move along surfaces), time travel (depending on the story)
- Examples: Aladdin, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Rithmatist
- Physical limitations
- The more the magic wielder uses it, the more of a toll it takes on their body
- Most commonly seen in the form of headaches, exhaustion, or memory loss, though may be portrayed other ways
- Examples: Firestarter, The Wheel of Time, The Neverending Story
- Hindrance
- Certain circumstances prevent the magic wielder from using magic
- Some instances are: other magic wielders cursing them, guidelines set in place by magic, items that weaken the wielder or annul their magic
- Examples: Superman, The Sword of Truth, Libriomancer
- Directed magic
- When a mage relies on an item/process/symbol to focus their magic, they may be unable to do much or anything if access is cut off
- Examples: See “Directed” above
- Item/spell/ritual
- Similarly, if the only source of magic comes directly from a magical item/spell/ritual, the individual has no magic unless they have access to it
- Examples: See “Items” and “Spells” above
- Extent of power
You may be wondering how to decide which category to use, or where to start. Go with what you already know. Why did you decide to write this new story? Did you think of a plotline you like? Were there a few magic abilities you wanted to explore? Whatever inspired you, use that as your basis for getting the ball rolling.
For example, in my own works, I once started with three magic abilities I really liked. Over time I delved into the mechanics behind where the magic came from and how these people got them. In another instance, my Satyr Wars series was by nature a satire of Star Wars and traditional high fantasy, and it included many mythological creatures. Therefore, I knew going into it that I’d need a magic system that could work with a variety of creatures, ring true of a typical fantasy world, and bare some similarities to the Force. I’ll add an article in the future detailing my magic systems and the process I used to create them for anyone who would like to see the process in action.
You’ll also notice that some themes run throughout several categories. If your magic is sourced from an item, that automatically answers several of the questions. Of course, you can always use a combination of things so long as they interact logically in your world. It’s really up to you how complex or simple you want your system to be.
Here are some examples of popular or interesting magic systems:
Harry Potter
- Type
- General
- Source
- Individual
- Method of obtaining
- Born with it
- Likelihood of obtaining
- Inherited by all (most) – within bloodline
- Sporadic – outside bloodline
- Method of use
- Directed
- Limitations
- Extent of power
- Directed
The Sixth Sense
- Type
- Paranormal
- Source
- Individual
- Method of obtaining
- Born with it
- Likelihood of obtaining
- Sporadic
- Method of use
- Constant
- Limitations*
- None
Aladdin
- Type
- General
- Source
- Item – lamp
- Individual – Jafar
- Method of obtaining
- Certain circumstances – lamp
- Born with it (presumably) – Jafar
- Likelihood of obtaining
- Indifferent – lamp
- Unclear – Jafar
- Method of use
- Item – lamp
- Directed – Jafar
- Limitations
- Item; Magic nature – lamp
- Directed – Jafar
Firestarter*
- Type
- Abilities**
- Source
- Individual
- Method of obtaining
- Outside means – experiment participants
- Born with it – Charlie
- Likelihood of obtaining
- Indifferent – experiment participants
- Inherited by all – Charlie and presumably any other descendants had they existed
- Method of use
- Will
- Limitations***
- Physical
- Extent
**Fire is the predominant form, but the true magic is psychic related.
***While the experiment participants had extreme limitations of extent and physical damage, Charlie had virtually no limitations, which in and of itself caused many problems. If you are going to have sparse limitations on your characters, be prepared to explore the consequences of that route in contrast to a magic system with established limitations.
Fullmetal Alchemist*
- Type
- General – alchemists
- Abilities** – homunculus
- Source
- Individual; Spell/ritual – alchemists
- Individual – homunculus
- Item – philosopher’s stone
- Method of obtaining
- Born with it***
- Likelihood of obtaining
- Inherited by some or Sporadic (unclear) – alchemists
- Inherited by all – homunculus
- Method of use
- Directed – alchemists
- Will – homunculus
- Item – philosopher’s stone
- Limitations
- Spell/ritual – alchemists
- Hindrance – homunculus
- Extent
- Item – philosopher’s stone****
**Select alchemist choose to use ability specific alchemy.
***Although alchemy requires a conduit to be used, only select individuals are able to use it even in those circumstances.
****The philosopher’s stone is nearly limitless in extent, but the limit lies in whether or not the alchemist has it in their possession. Also note that even though it is seems limitless, it does have a limit, albeit it requires extreme amount of age and use to reach it.
The Rithmatist
- Type
- Abilities (specifically one ability)
- Source
- Individual
- Spell/ritual
- Method of obtaining
- Born with it (dormant until put through a specific process)
- Likelihood of obtaining
- Sporadic
- Method of use
- Directed
- Limitations
- Directed
- Extent
- Magic nature