A step-by-step guide to creating plot-ready magic systems!

Dive into Episode 2 of "Worldbuilding Blueprints" with me, Marie Mullany from Just in Time Worlds. This episode challenges the traditional approach to fantasy world-building, advocating for the integration of magic and culture from the outset. Let's talk about how to create a magic system that enriches your narrative, aligns with your story's core theme, and goes beyond mere spectacle.

Chapters
0:00 Why Magic Matters
4:00 The Purpose of Magic
9:29 Designing Magic

#justintimeworlds #mariemullany #worldbuilding #tutorial #stepbystep #writing #gamesmaster #magicsystem #fantasy #fantasyworldbuilding

[bayardmartins]

I think Sanderson nailed in his first rule. Its a spectrum, the more you want the character to dolve problems with magic thr harder you want your system. But its always a spectrum.

[arcanefeline]

I'm a simple man. I hear someone mention the Wizard of Earthsea and/or the Dresden Files, I click like.

[Kyouma.]

The magic system in my world Elemoria is emotion-based. It's called the "Heart Magic System, " meaning emotions influence the magic in different ways. For example, one of my characters is reluctant to fight, so the only offensive spell she has is weak in power (instead, she supports her friends in battles). Also, while the magic can be used for support in daily activities (by old people, for example), it can't replace one's own activity and efforts. And the magic can't bend the laws of nature. Does this sound good?

[nagillim]

In my setting magic was once able to do anything and the world was full of gods and faeries without limitations.

But then backstory happened and the world was cut off from the most potent source of magic. Over time as a consequence of this, the gods withdrew to hidden places and the faeries dwindled and diminished. And as they slowly went away, the way was opened up for mortal civilisations to rise. There's still magic to be found in certain magical crystals found in the earth and in the life force of living beings themselves, but as the sources of power are diminished so is what can be done with it.

Faerie magic still exists in some places where magic is still able to leak into the world, but if a faerie creature leaves these places and uses too much magic before returning to them to recover they can lose their magic and immortality forever. For the same reasons, faeries are always at risk of being captured by immoral and unethical mortal mages to be drained of magic as a power source for them to work magic that would normally be impossible for a mortal mage.

[SnakeWasRight]

"Hard isnt better than soft" thats not what yo mama was sayin last night 😮