There have been a few magic threads going around, and it has made me curious about a couple of things:
1) How many of you try to put in place some kind of pseudo-scientific explanation for magic in your world; and
2) In terms of rules governing magic, is it rules-heavy or rules-light.
With respect to #2, I think it is important that there be consistency in the magic in a fantasy world, so that the reader gets the sense that there is some logic governing it all even if she never finds out exactly what the logic is. Within that general guidelines, however, there is a lot of room for minimalist rules systems and very detailed ones.
I'll go first.
1. In my work-in-progress, the idea is that "magic" is an artifact of the natural world, not the supernatural one. I do a small amount in terms of providing a 'scientific' framework, but I don't get into great detail in the story. The fact that it is a natural, scientific phenomenon does influence how I approach writing it, though; and
2. The rules are pretty light. I try to be consistent in what energy is available for magic, how it is drawn upon, and the consequences of using it. Apart from that I don't get into it too deeply.
1) How many of you try to put in place some kind of pseudo-scientific explanation for magic in your world; and
2) In terms of rules governing magic, is it rules-heavy or rules-light.
With respect to #2, I think it is important that there be consistency in the magic in a fantasy world, so that the reader gets the sense that there is some logic governing it all even if she never finds out exactly what the logic is. Within that general guidelines, however, there is a lot of room for minimalist rules systems and very detailed ones.
I'll go first.
1. In my work-in-progress, the idea is that "magic" is an artifact of the natural world, not the supernatural one. I do a small amount in terms of providing a 'scientific' framework, but I don't get into great detail in the story. The fact that it is a natural, scientific phenomenon does influence how I approach writing it, though; and
2. The rules are pretty light. I try to be consistent in what energy is available for magic, how it is drawn upon, and the consequences of using it. Apart from that I don't get into it too deeply.