Recent content by C. R. Rowenson

Don't underestimate the small acts of kindness Helping someone that has been knocked down in the street giving bread to the beggar in the alley Standing up for an outsider when people start acting xenophobic Paying someone's way out of a bad situation (overcome in fines, debt, or just needs...

Yora I think I understand where you're coming from. If I'm hearing you right, you like systems that focus on exploring a few specific powers but at the same time, you like the magic to be left unquantified and undefined beyond what is shown. Something like in the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb...

That's fair. I can't think of any 100% explained systems either. I'm a sucker for magic systems. If the magic is interesting, I will absolutely keep reading, watching, or playing long after I've given up on the story itself.

All of you are making some awesome posts in this thread! Yora , I think you're right about Sanderson's Law. I actually think his first law is more a law of foreshadowing. He just happens to use it to great effect with his magic systems. I'd like to hear more about what you like to see in a magic...

That is a really good point!

Personally, I think limitations they're essential to building a quality magic system (I wrote an entire blog post on the topic, for crying out loud), but I wanted to hear some other thoughts on the matter. Does anyone disagree? How come? I legitimately would like to hear some other stances on...

I really like the term "Nexus"

I bet you loved Animorphs growing up, huh? ;)

Really? I never would have guessed those. That's awesome :) Have you read The Farseer saga by Robin Hobb? I think that might be right up your alley

Does this carry over to concepts of thaumaturgy? Make something happen on a small scale, push the energy through a connection, and make it happen on a large scale. Or do you mean something else by this?

We all have those small guilty pleasures. What are some magic system cliches you can't get enough of? Me personally, I love any kind of magic that results in disturbing physical modifications or body horror. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that stuff doesn't exist, but I love seeing it in books...

You said you struggle with building limitations, but it sounds to me like you do a great job at it. Narrowing the scope of the power itself and dictating exactly how the powers are activated are excellent sources of limitations for any magic system. And snabjorn, another area you can explore is...

It looks like people have already provided some good power lists you can reference. I also recommend these two articles for further reading to help you spin-off with some interesting ideas of your own. Creating a Magic System for Superpowers Stage 1 of Building Marvelous Magic: Generating ideas...

I think you did a great job thinking through the implications of the enchantments for combat. Have you considered how it would impact other aspects of your world such as construction? If they can enchant the defensive walls, what else can they enchant and how will that change the buildings they...

Devor I really like the points you made. Even if enchanted armor stops the projectiles from being lethal, they can still hurt and be distracting. In the middle of a battle, that might be enough to give others the edges hey need. Aldarion And even if the ammunition for the trebuchet weren't...