Jo of the South
Dreamer
Hello again! I got such great advice from y'all on my first thread, that I wonder if I could trouble all of you again with one more question? I've been working a lot on perfecting my magic system the last couple of days. I think I've got it figured out and would appreciate some feedback.
My magic is well, not exactly "magic." (The story is set in a made up place during the real middle ages of Europe, otherwise known as one of the biggest times and places where anything abnormal could be viewed as magic.) Magic is more like superhuman powers. The so called magicians have abilities such as mind reading, visions of the past, and power to control fire, water, or earth.
These powers always begin in childhood. First, a child falls seriously ill with a high fever, headache, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, and shakes. It is commonly confused with the flu. These symptoms last from a few days to a couple of weeks. During this time the child's powers develop and as they recover, they begin to become aware of their powers. Many people believe magic to be a contagious disease. Even though there is no proof of it being a disease, people fear it like a plague.
Once a child becomes a magician they can never get rid of their powers. Also it is impossible to choose to become a magician or to choose which power you will have. Magicians can learn to control their powers and develop them as they become stronger. However, powers never develop into a different one nor can a magician learn to use a different power. Meaning if you can control fire then you will only ever be able to control fire.
All powers seem to be linked to a magician's emotions. Meaning that if a mind reader, for example, is calm and controlled they can block out the thoughts of others, but if he is angered then he quickly becomes bombarded with everyone's thoughts rather or not he wants to hear it.
Here is a list of some powers:
Mindreaders: Can hear the thoughts of others around them. It sounds just like people are talking aloud. The magician can shut these voices out if they want to. They can also choose to hear these thoughts if they want.
Visions: This comes while the magician is awake or asleep. They dream of past events and present happenings all through the night. During the day they have what appears to be hallucinations, except it is very real. They again see past or present events, but these are usually linked to what the magician is feeling. For instance if the magician is afraid, then they see what is happening in another persons life who is also terrified. It is impossible to see the future though.
Control of Elements:
These magicians can control one element such as fire, water, earth, or wind. They cannot create the element, but they can manipulate it. For example, fire magicians can touch flames without being burned and water magicians can create waves. This is the most common power.
Heightened Senses:
This is the rarest power. No two of these magicians are exactly alike. These people are either hypersensitive or hyposensitive to anything that effects their senses or the nervous system. Sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste are either drastically over sensitive that it is unbearable to have these senses stimulated in anyway. Or these people's senses are so underwhelmed by extreme smells or sounds that they barely notice it. Also they can be completely unaware of freezing temperatures. The "magic" of this is the ability to hear footsteps a mile away, survive extreme temperatures, or see in the dark for example.
So my question is does this sound original enough? Also do you think it is well thought out or do I need to keep expanding on what I've got? Again thanks in advance for any help.
My magic is well, not exactly "magic." (The story is set in a made up place during the real middle ages of Europe, otherwise known as one of the biggest times and places where anything abnormal could be viewed as magic.) Magic is more like superhuman powers. The so called magicians have abilities such as mind reading, visions of the past, and power to control fire, water, or earth.
These powers always begin in childhood. First, a child falls seriously ill with a high fever, headache, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, and shakes. It is commonly confused with the flu. These symptoms last from a few days to a couple of weeks. During this time the child's powers develop and as they recover, they begin to become aware of their powers. Many people believe magic to be a contagious disease. Even though there is no proof of it being a disease, people fear it like a plague.
Once a child becomes a magician they can never get rid of their powers. Also it is impossible to choose to become a magician or to choose which power you will have. Magicians can learn to control their powers and develop them as they become stronger. However, powers never develop into a different one nor can a magician learn to use a different power. Meaning if you can control fire then you will only ever be able to control fire.
All powers seem to be linked to a magician's emotions. Meaning that if a mind reader, for example, is calm and controlled they can block out the thoughts of others, but if he is angered then he quickly becomes bombarded with everyone's thoughts rather or not he wants to hear it.
Here is a list of some powers:
Mindreaders: Can hear the thoughts of others around them. It sounds just like people are talking aloud. The magician can shut these voices out if they want to. They can also choose to hear these thoughts if they want.
Visions: This comes while the magician is awake or asleep. They dream of past events and present happenings all through the night. During the day they have what appears to be hallucinations, except it is very real. They again see past or present events, but these are usually linked to what the magician is feeling. For instance if the magician is afraid, then they see what is happening in another persons life who is also terrified. It is impossible to see the future though.
Control of Elements:
These magicians can control one element such as fire, water, earth, or wind. They cannot create the element, but they can manipulate it. For example, fire magicians can touch flames without being burned and water magicians can create waves. This is the most common power.
Heightened Senses:
This is the rarest power. No two of these magicians are exactly alike. These people are either hypersensitive or hyposensitive to anything that effects their senses or the nervous system. Sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste are either drastically over sensitive that it is unbearable to have these senses stimulated in anyway. Or these people's senses are so underwhelmed by extreme smells or sounds that they barely notice it. Also they can be completely unaware of freezing temperatures. The "magic" of this is the ability to hear footsteps a mile away, survive extreme temperatures, or see in the dark for example.
So my question is does this sound original enough? Also do you think it is well thought out or do I need to keep expanding on what I've got? Again thanks in advance for any help.
Myth Weaver
Istar
Archmage
