Asura Levi
Sage
Ok, this is more an idea that I want to share.
In all the variety of magic system I tried to envision, the following seemed more 'orinal' when dealing with elements.
It basically has the four major classical elements divided as the Cardinal Points of a compass, in the following order (reading clockwise from top): Fire - Earth - Water - Wind (then back to fire).
As usual, Fire and Water are opposed as are Wind and Earth.
Additional to this, that are four other 'sub'-elements distributed in the fashion of the Ordinal Points: Metal, Wood, Ice, Lightning.
The total would read like this: Fire [Metal] Earth [Wood] Water [Ice] Wind [Lightning] Fire.
The catch here would be that every single being is born with some affinity with one of the cardinal, thus having 100% compatibility with said element, 33% with the adjacent, 11% with the opposite, 66% with the adjacent 'ordinal' element and 22% with the opposite ordinal.
So, someone born with Fire compatibility would look like: Fire: 100%; Metal/Lightning: 66%; Wind/Earth: 33%; Ice/Wood: 22%; Water: 11%.
All that said, it isn't the norm to be born with the 'cardinal' elements, some get their 'magic compass' shifted and born with full compatibility with one of the 'ordinal', lets say, Wood.
It is only that the 'cardinal mages' are the most common, like, right-handed people (not related, just an example).
I know it sounds weird to have someone with fire skills being able to use Ice, which should be a complete opposite as much as water, with the double of compatibility, but I couldn't think in a different way to arrange it.
Also, I'm not very happy about Fire and Earth 'ordinal' being Metal, (Lava is completely rulled out).
That is one more undeveloped aspect, it is based on the four states of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma(or Energy). That would act as a sub-compass which would affect the main, effectively making each 'personal magic compass' more unique than it is.
But I haven't figure out a good way in doing so.
So, if any one has any tips, feedback, idea, whatever; I'm here to listen (or read).
In the end, I just wanted to share it.
In all the variety of magic system I tried to envision, the following seemed more 'orinal' when dealing with elements.
It basically has the four major classical elements divided as the Cardinal Points of a compass, in the following order (reading clockwise from top): Fire - Earth - Water - Wind (then back to fire).
As usual, Fire and Water are opposed as are Wind and Earth.
Additional to this, that are four other 'sub'-elements distributed in the fashion of the Ordinal Points: Metal, Wood, Ice, Lightning.
The total would read like this: Fire [Metal] Earth [Wood] Water [Ice] Wind [Lightning] Fire.
The catch here would be that every single being is born with some affinity with one of the cardinal, thus having 100% compatibility with said element, 33% with the adjacent, 11% with the opposite, 66% with the adjacent 'ordinal' element and 22% with the opposite ordinal.
So, someone born with Fire compatibility would look like: Fire: 100%; Metal/Lightning: 66%; Wind/Earth: 33%; Ice/Wood: 22%; Water: 11%.
All that said, it isn't the norm to be born with the 'cardinal' elements, some get their 'magic compass' shifted and born with full compatibility with one of the 'ordinal', lets say, Wood.
It is only that the 'cardinal mages' are the most common, like, right-handed people (not related, just an example).
I know it sounds weird to have someone with fire skills being able to use Ice, which should be a complete opposite as much as water, with the double of compatibility, but I couldn't think in a different way to arrange it.
Also, I'm not very happy about Fire and Earth 'ordinal' being Metal, (Lava is completely rulled out).
That is one more undeveloped aspect, it is based on the four states of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma(or Energy). That would act as a sub-compass which would affect the main, effectively making each 'personal magic compass' more unique than it is.
But I haven't figure out a good way in doing so.
So, if any one has any tips, feedback, idea, whatever; I'm here to listen (or read).
In the end, I just wanted to share it.