The Art of World Building: Creating Breakout Fantasy and Science Fiction Worlds In Stories and Gaming EP 31.2: Magic Systems
Sep 22, 2020
Dive into the fascinating world of magic systems! Discover the different types of magic and how rarity influences societal views in fictional realms. Learn about alchemy and the cultural significance of practices like witchcraft. Explore essential principles for crafting your own systems, including limitations and structured spells. The discussion highlights how word choices and environmental factors can add depth to your storytelling, making magic not just a tool, but a key element in narrative conflict and transformation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Rarity Shapes Magic's Value
- Rarity of a magic type affects its social value, fear, and accessibility.
- Causes include danger, stigma, scarce training, rare materials, or few talented people.
Explain Why Magic Is Common
- Make common magic feel plausible by giving reasons: safety, acceptance, training, materials, or talent abundance.
- Use those factors to explain why many people practice a given magic type.
Moral Framing Directs Practice
- Categorize magic morally as white, black, and gray and tie it to sources like gods.
- Moral framing shapes who practices it and how society reacts.
