Dive Deep into Creativity: Discover, Share, Inspire
Characters having assumptions about the world that are fundamentally incorrect, but correct enough. Too often I see people create extremely elaborate magic systems, and then make all the characters automatically have a clear grasp on how the system works.
There is nothing wrong with intricate magic systems, I love them too! However, the secrecy and mystery of unknown magic shouldn't be limited to only the very rare and powerful, because here's the thing: We have no idea what gravity is. Gravity, the most common and observed *thing* in all of science. Is it a particle? A curve of space-time? A force?
Guess what? Curves and particles and forces are all made up by people. They are concepts that we use to try to understand how the world works. They are never fully accurate, but they are accurate enough for what we need them for. The universe is chaos, and we apply rules to it to simplify reality. Reality exists beyond these rules, though. It is a sphere of undefinable complexity.
Here's an example: Magic Missile, the most common and used spell of all evocations. Is it caused by a sudden rise in local portent? Or maybe it is an extension of the caster's arcane properties? A sigil?
Guess what? Sigils and poetent and incantation are all made up by wizards. They are concepts that magic wielders use to try to understand how magic works. They are never fully accurate, but they are accurate enough for what they need them for. Magic is chaos, and we apply rules to it to simplify spellcasting. Magic exists beyond these rules, though. It is a sphere of undefinable weird.
Tldr; Magic=Physics, Wizards=Scientists. Nothing is certain, and we exist only in the amorphous bubble of theory
What are some world-building ideas or tropes that you want to see more of? I enjoy world-building but want something new or exciting or out of the ordinary to help get the juices flowing again