The Basics of Your Magic System

If you’re familiar with fantasy, you’re familiar with magic - the good, the bad, and the ugly. As a reader, I’ve explored magic systems of many types and backgrounds. To give advice on creating a magic system can be difficult because this is such a subjective topic; magic functions differently between worlds and authors.

Therefore, the advice I have to give on creating a magic system is meant to be a jumping-off point, with questions and points for your consideration. It is my hope that if you’re in the beginning stages of creating a magic system, this post helps to give you some direction and get your creative “juices” flowing for that process. Let’s dive right in with four main considerations for the basics of your magic system.

Consideration 1: World History

In development, understanding the source of your world’s magic will be your best friend. This sets the stage for how and why the magic exists, how it is used, and how life in this world interacts with it. Even if you don’t have a fully detailed history, you’ll want to know the basics of magical history. This will help you develop things like:

• Major events involving magic or knowledge of it.

• Times magic has proven useful in the past, and what it’s used for now.

• The impact of magic on culture.

• How magic influences positions of power.

For example: In my fictional world, Feia, magic only appeared about two to three generations ago, when the overruling deities seemed to abandon the world. This magic system operates very differently from a world where magic has always existed, or is viewed as a gift from a religious deity.

Consideration 2: Public Perception of Magic

In order to decide how people use magic, you should first decide how people perceive it. This is a great time for you to decide if there are any taboos, superstitions, etc. associated with magic use, even if you’re only starting at a superficial level. There is a Venn-diagram of how people perceive magic and how it actually functions. The more you know where the two intersect, and where they diverge, the more developed your magical system will feel as you write it. Think of things like:

• Dangers or risks of magic, and how they might affect any superstitious beliefs.

• Rules related to magic as a result of public perception.

• Perceptions of magic users vs. non-users (if they exist in your world).

• Any moments of unity or tension as a result of this perception.

For example: In Feia, overuse of magic can result in a potential fatal phenomenon called a “leakage.” Therefore, spells in Feia are classed in levels 1-5; this guides how and when people learn to use magic. In order to use magic unsupervised, laws state that mages must complete a full certification process to show they know how to use magic safely. Leakages are rare, but greatly feared, leading to this requirement.

Consideration 3: Use in Everyday Life

Now, we start to turn towards applications of magic in the context of its history and perception. The level on which magic exists in mundane life both affects and is affected by history and public perception, so don’t be afraid to develop these in tandem. This will be useful especially if part of your plot involves magic use in a big way; when you understand how “major” use contrasts with “minor” use, you’ll be able to more effectively show this difference to your readers. Consider things like:

• Uses for magic in mundane contexts.

• The daily routine of an “average” magic user.

• How people obtain magic or magical items.

• The cost of magic.

For example: In Feia, magic is harnessed through powerful crystals. Different types of crystals enable different types of magic, so people throughout the world keep different items and gadgets to have easy access to each of their crystals. Magic draws from one’s own life force when it is used, so users exercise discretion on the intensity of the spell they’re using each time.

Consideration 4: Demographic

Finally, you’ll want to use a good understanding of who in the world uses magic. Just like the other considerations, it makes the most sense for this one to be developed alongside other concepts, holistically. This can help determine if there’s a specific type of person who uses magic, or if there’s a specific demographic that harnesses it the most powerfully. This includes things like:

• A general age range for people who use magic.

• If the age range is broad, common applications for each age group.

• Any social status associated with magic users.

• Stereotypes not just about magic, but about the people who use it.

For example: Everyone in Feia has access to magic from the moment they are born, but they aren’t able to begin properly using it until they’re about five years old. Ability to control one’s magic develops continually with age until they’re about twenty years old, and it never goes away. Because anyone can use it, there is no social status and no stereotypes associated with magic users.

These considerations, as I mentioned, should only be leaping-off points for your magic system’s development. To say that this is all you need would be unfair to the nuance that each magic system has; that’s for you to decide.

Happy Monday, and happy writing!