When writing speculative fiction, one of the writer’s most important jobs is to establish the new rules for their world. In many branches of speculative fiction, especially fantasy and even horror, this is magic, though it can also be technology and alternate scientific rules for science fiction. Whatever alternate fact(s) or reality you utilize to make your fictional world possible, that qualifies as a “magic system.” Your magic system is most often defined by what it can’t do rather than by what it can.
When writing speculative fiction, it’s usually assumed that something about your world is different than ours. That can be a small tweak or it can be a complete dismantle-and-reassembly of physics as we understand it. Whatever system you choose to implement, it needs to have internally consistent rules. If, throughout the course of your book, magics begin to contradict each other, then it will disturb your readers suspension of disbelief. You don’t want your awesome magic to yank your readers from the believability of the story. But…most important of all…you have to establish some sort of rules and limits in order to prevent yourself from pulling a deus ex machina. No one likes a poorly executed deus ex machina. Few people like a well executed one (is there such a thing?). If you have rules, limits, cost, built into the magic or technology of your world, then you establish something that is not only nuanced and interesting, but believable.
Why write speculative fiction if I have to create and follow all of these tedious rules?! The real world has rules enough.
It’s true. But following your own rules and following real worlds aren’t the same thing. Lots of you have probably heard the little saying, “Give your world a Flux Capacitor.” If you think about it, Back to the Future’s Flux Capacitor doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s not explained. But we accept it because it’s magic. And when Doc says, “Here’s this thing. It makes time travel possible.” We accept it because it’s a simple alteration. He doesn’t try to use it to do more than what is initially established. It never breaks that rule. It’s not used to get Marty out of an impossible situation, defying any previous understanding of the technology. That’s why it works.
First, you need to probably choose what type of magic you will use. Will be elements based? Or energy based? Spirit? Physical? Time and Space? What things is your magic summoning/manipulating/drawing from?
Now you’ll want to focus on the parts that make your magic yours. Sure, elemental magic has been used half a zillion times, but it can still be interesting if you do something new with it. The best way to do something new is to alter its limits, change the cost, give it a new spin that makes your regular ol’ fire magic something intriguing.
You can do a little bit of research into ancient forms of magic, into other literary uses of magic. See what those before you have done and use it as an inspiration.
If you’re having trouble knowing where to start, I’m here to provide you some thoughts concerning the skeletal-assembly of your magic system! Use these prompts as you see fit!
What does magic use/alter/manipulate?
visible energies
gravity
laws of physics
light
thought
water, only, in all of its forms
fabric of space
elementary particles
items of specific color or texture
perception
plant life
the dead
blood
magnetic forces
demons
vibrations
earth
emotions
Who possesses magic?
scholars
children
random lucky people
anyone
everyone
the elderly
anyone who’s ever petted a dog
specific animals
deities
How is it acquired?
at birth
intense study and training
gifted
through random action
through a ritual
as one ages
stolen
From where is power drawn?
internal mana
heat energy
alignment of the stars
physical contact with _____ (the earth, another life force, a drawing or rune)
kinetic or potential energy
the moon(s)
other realms
movement of tectonic plates
spiritual energy of those nearby
consumption of specific foods/drinks/elements
Check out the rest of the Brainstorming Series! Magic Systems, Part Two New Species New Worlds Cultures Civilizations Map Making Politics and Government Belief Systems & Religion Guilds, Factions, & Groups War & Conflict Science & Technology Wildlife & Ecosystems History & Lore
Y/N: Who the fuck—
Steve: Language.
Y/N: Whom the fuck–
Steve: No.
The Official Jedi view on politics is that they try not to interfere and do not trust politicians, but if they are running out of options on how to settle an issue they will tell Padme Amidala what is going on and just unleash her onto their problems
The girls are fightinngg
Sometimes I think about how many people I met in food service who smoke. I think about growing up in an upper-middle class neighborhood, and how it was drilled into me that smoking is addictive and bad for your health. I think most people, in America at least, are well aware of that. Whenever I would decline a cigarette, on the rare occasion it was offered, saying I dont smoke the reply is always "good, don't start."
I think about the long shifts, working on your feet all day, with breaks scheduled down to the minute. Every second of your day controlled by the clock, regardless of how tired you might be. However, in food service, there is one exception. The smoke break. Most managers respect the smoke break. The old school ones do, at least. The newer crop less so. Food service is fast paced, highly stressful work, and nicotine, in addition to all of its addictive and damaging properties, is a relaxant. If a burger flipper or barista says they need to step outside for a smoke, you let them do it, and you dont begrudge them for it.
It's such a strange bit of kindness. One that we know is terribly harmful in many respects, but performed anyway. I think about all of the interconnected systems, of health, of education, of exploitation, that leads a person to knowingly trade in years of their life for five minutes of peace. I wonder how many people in my upper middle class neighborhood would propose simply banning the smoke breaks. I wonder how many people I know would just break.
Billy is kidnapped often. Nothing serious. The villain just wants to tell his monologue of hatred towards a certain hero. All the villains have noticed how the heroes listen to or discuss Billy Batson, the host of a small radio station. That's why the boy is kidnapped. At least once a week. The villains vividly describe their hatred, some even say a spoiler for future crimes. Billy then tells it vividly the next day and jokingly asks the villains to at least feed him, because of their kidnappings he cannot eat normally.
The villains listen to him!
Lex Luthor brought him a whole steak! The Riddler bought him fries, a burger, and a large Coke!
So Billy, being a good person who loves his job, thanks them for the lunch and repeats their monologue word for word, even overacting a little. (But the villains are delighted by this)
Meanwhile, the League is panicking because they are the reason Captain Marvel's son is constantly being kidnapped! Marvel always looks at them with a disappointed look the next day if Billy is kidnapped. But there is nothing they can do! But they tried! Honestly! Captain stop looking at them like that! They didn't know that talking about Billy would turn out like this!
Flash and Superman feel very guilty. After all, it is their villains who often kidnap the boy. Batman tries not to look disappointed at his villains when he finds out that one of them kidnapped Billy, again.
Billy, meanwhile, made a list of villains who treated him very well. In first place was Captain Cold, in second place was the Riddler and Lex Luthor, and in third place was Scarecrow, to the surprise of Batman and Billy himself.
Yes, Billy showed this list to the superheroes so that they would know who was treating him how. As a result, Flash spilled the beans to Snart, and as everyone knows, villains are the best gossips. The news about this list spread like wildfire.
Now the goal among the villains was to get at least into the top five of this list.
Let's just say that Billy started getting kidnapped much more often.
rey’s a wild trash child, poe’s been fighting a war too long to learn to be an adult when he’s not on duty
and finn’s just there all guys GUYS you’re supposed to wash towels NO rey nO just because you’re clean when you use them doesn’t mean they stay that way
and
poe these trays full of half-eaten rations have been here at least a week poe POE do you want space ants? cause this is how you get SPACE ANTS poe
The urge to bother my mutuals
bb-8 did not sign up for this shoujo manga nonsense