Snowpoint
Sage
My current WiP looks at magic as a philosophical pursuit rather than an academic one like most modern fantasy. There are 4 countries, each has their own magic, their own philosophy. Magic and culture are inseparable because each one affects the other.
The trouble is that one of my magic systems doesn't have a strong philosophical bend to it. It was based on the idea of “The Magic Circle” an abstract idea rather than a world-view, or way of thinking. The are called Wardens, they use circles to cast barriers of solid, invisible force. Fire is must be present to cast spells. The fire is not consumed any faster by the magic, but it must be there. (This makes the reader aware of how long a Warden can maintain a barrier, rather than a vague fatigue limit. This also allows for sabotage of a barrier, if the fire is targeted from within.)
As you might guess, this system of magic was developed before the philosophical focus was added to the plot and theme. I need some way to make it fit the pattern established by the other Magics, which each adopted a philosophy already.
Binders believe all things in the universe are connected. Binding allows to like object to pull on each other like a magnet. This allows them to fix broken objects, find lost objects, track humans, restrain humans.
Tengu believe in training the body to train the mind. They practice martial arts, and other rigid disciplines to develop “Remote Viewing”, which is to view distance places psychically. This is changes the face of warfare because they can see marching armies months before they arrive and out maneuver them. (or get them while they sleep)
Oracles believe in the power of dreams. “Your perception of reality is reality.” Their philosophy is all about charity being that fuel which drives their powers. They guide people to their ultimate destiny with their powers. They are able to see the dreams of other people, visit the dreams of others, force a person to fall asleep. Oracles are said to see the future in their own dreams. They are sought after for advise.
Some of the ideas for the novel are, "magic and culture are tied together", "you don't need to shoot fireballs to be powerful", and "magic is for the true believers" The MC learns that helping others makes her more powerful, and her power exist to help others.
The Wardens don't really believe in anything right now. Their culture is all about individual effort, merit. The whole city is filled with craftsmen. It is believed craftsmen, of many different skills, are more likely to become wardens. In early versions they just touched a golden idol, but now I'm trying to make it more about ideas than monsters.
The trouble is that one of my magic systems doesn't have a strong philosophical bend to it. It was based on the idea of “The Magic Circle” an abstract idea rather than a world-view, or way of thinking. The are called Wardens, they use circles to cast barriers of solid, invisible force. Fire is must be present to cast spells. The fire is not consumed any faster by the magic, but it must be there. (This makes the reader aware of how long a Warden can maintain a barrier, rather than a vague fatigue limit. This also allows for sabotage of a barrier, if the fire is targeted from within.)
As you might guess, this system of magic was developed before the philosophical focus was added to the plot and theme. I need some way to make it fit the pattern established by the other Magics, which each adopted a philosophy already.
Binders believe all things in the universe are connected. Binding allows to like object to pull on each other like a magnet. This allows them to fix broken objects, find lost objects, track humans, restrain humans.
Tengu believe in training the body to train the mind. They practice martial arts, and other rigid disciplines to develop “Remote Viewing”, which is to view distance places psychically. This is changes the face of warfare because they can see marching armies months before they arrive and out maneuver them. (or get them while they sleep)
Oracles believe in the power of dreams. “Your perception of reality is reality.” Their philosophy is all about charity being that fuel which drives their powers. They guide people to their ultimate destiny with their powers. They are able to see the dreams of other people, visit the dreams of others, force a person to fall asleep. Oracles are said to see the future in their own dreams. They are sought after for advise.
Some of the ideas for the novel are, "magic and culture are tied together", "you don't need to shoot fireballs to be powerful", and "magic is for the true believers" The MC learns that helping others makes her more powerful, and her power exist to help others.
The Wardens don't really believe in anything right now. Their culture is all about individual effort, merit. The whole city is filled with craftsmen. It is believed craftsmen, of many different skills, are more likely to become wardens. In early versions they just touched a golden idol, but now I'm trying to make it more about ideas than monsters.