I've had the basics of the idea for a kind of magic system I haven't quite seen before. It takes element from a variety of sources, with a bit of (hopefully) original stuff in it. So... shall we?
Magic is a force unlike any other. It is capable of twisting reality, bending minds, and transmuting matter. It is energy, yet it is not. Were one to compare the world to a Box, Magic is a force flowing around outside, capable of reaching in when called upon, and altering things according to the wishes of the Sorcerer. Whatever is naturally in the box is created by, and follows, a certain set of rules; Laws, even, of nature. Magic, being beyond this world, does not abide by these rules, and as such can act in ways that would otherwise be impossible.
Magic can do virtually anything. It can harden rock to become harder than steel, let wood become as water, or make flesh as malleable as clay. The laws of our reality do not apply to it, and as such whatever can be conceived by a mortal mind, Magic can accomplish—and more. From altering one's very body from human to beast, or calling upon the very elements themselves and hail down fire from the very skies. It is often said to artists that the only limit to what they can create is their imagination. For Sorcerers, this phrase is literal in every sense of the word.
As mentioned earlier, Magic is to be called upon before it can affect anything. But how is it called upon?
Everything about our bodies can be explained through science in one way or another: Skin made of cells, cells made of molecules, molecules made up of atoms, atoms made out of electrons, protons and neutrons. And even farther down, made of Quark and Matter. Every facet of our very being can be explained through science, except for one: Our minds, our thoughts. Movement is caused by electrical currents through our brain, and chemicals released to induce a variety of effects on ourselves; the very organ itself deciding much of who and what we are, but none of what has yet been discovered can explain how we are able to think: How we are able to remember.
But what is the nature of Intent?
The first rule when practising Magic is that you have to have an Intent. You can call up vast amounts of magical energy from the beyond with the simple intent of collecting it, but with no purpose for it, it will simply fizzle and turn to nothing. If one calls up an amount of magic, and intends to call forth lightning from their fingertips, the magic gathered will follow that intent—that thought—and cause it to happen. How, nobody is quite certain. All they know is that if the intend to do something is there, and is solid enough, it will happen.
This is what is meant when it is said that only the imagination sets a limit. So long as you can imagine that something will happen, and truly intend for it to happen, then it can and will occur. But even magic isn't a limitless font of energy, and though it is forever outside of our reality, never truly depleting, it is impossible to do great things without equally great amounts of power.
For some, it is easier to keep a clear intent of whatever it is one wishes to do by speaking it aloud, in one way or another. It can be in another language—Latin is an oft used language—or in one's own language, or even in using nonsense words. The only thing that is important is that the words mean something to the Sorcerer in question. For example, the word "Gaia", the name of the Greek Primordial Goddess of the Earth, might be what one Sorcerer uses to call upon a spire of bedrock, because to them that is the intent and the meaning behind the word, whereas to some other Sorcerer it might do nothing as they do not connect any Intent of meaning to it.
Alternatively, there are also those who use crystals; channeling their magic through a gemstone of a specific colour, or a specific shape. That is to say, they use a Foci to channel their power through, foregoing the use of spoken language or silent thought to guide their magic. A foci can be a wide variety of things: From symbols written on a book's pages, to a quarter staff inscribed with runes or glyphs.
So long as something carries a meaning, and is able to guide the Intent of the Sorcerer, anything could be used as a foci, if they use one at all.
The Sorcerer acts as a conduit for the forces they call into this world, and every person has their limits. So while magic can do virtually everything, a human cannot.
Have you ever worked on something for so long that you felt yourself grow tired? Not physically exhausted, but unable to concentrate and continue working. Such is the effects of exhaustion from using too much Magic. While the state of exhaustion will recede with sufficient rest, a person can only channel so much power through them—hold Intent and their desired Effect for so long—before their mind becomes tired, and they are unable to keep a grasp on what they wish to happen. This limit exists for every Sorcerer, and is the only factor aside from their Imagination that limits them. It is, however, a soft cap, meaning that it is possible to continue after this state, although it is difficult, hence it not being mentioned in the introduction.
Magic is a force outside our reality, capable of being reached and drawn upon through our minds: Our Intent. If a Sorcerer wishes to cast a spell, they must truly be intent on doing it, and be able to imagine what it is they wish to happen. It is not so simple as simply telling oneself that they believe it will happen, they will have to want it to happen. If they do not, their grasp of the magical energy they have collected for the task will fizzle and become nothing.
Greater spells calls for greater amounts of magic, which will lead to becoming exhausted quicker. Everyone has a limit, and it can be extended through training.
So, I hope this is at least a little bit interesting. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
What is "Magic"?
Magic is a force unlike any other. It is capable of twisting reality, bending minds, and transmuting matter. It is energy, yet it is not. Were one to compare the world to a Box, Magic is a force flowing around outside, capable of reaching in when called upon, and altering things according to the wishes of the Sorcerer. Whatever is naturally in the box is created by, and follows, a certain set of rules; Laws, even, of nature. Magic, being beyond this world, does not abide by these rules, and as such can act in ways that would otherwise be impossible.
What can Magic do?
Magic can do virtually anything. It can harden rock to become harder than steel, let wood become as water, or make flesh as malleable as clay. The laws of our reality do not apply to it, and as such whatever can be conceived by a mortal mind, Magic can accomplish—and more. From altering one's very body from human to beast, or calling upon the very elements themselves and hail down fire from the very skies. It is often said to artists that the only limit to what they can create is their imagination. For Sorcerers, this phrase is literal in every sense of the word.
How does Magic work?
As mentioned earlier, Magic is to be called upon before it can affect anything. But how is it called upon?
Everything about our bodies can be explained through science in one way or another: Skin made of cells, cells made of molecules, molecules made up of atoms, atoms made out of electrons, protons and neutrons. And even farther down, made of Quark and Matter. Every facet of our very being can be explained through science, except for one: Our minds, our thoughts. Movement is caused by electrical currents through our brain, and chemicals released to induce a variety of effects on ourselves; the very organ itself deciding much of who and what we are, but none of what has yet been discovered can explain how we are able to think: How we are able to remember.
But what is the nature of Intent?
The first rule when practising Magic is that you have to have an Intent. You can call up vast amounts of magical energy from the beyond with the simple intent of collecting it, but with no purpose for it, it will simply fizzle and turn to nothing. If one calls up an amount of magic, and intends to call forth lightning from their fingertips, the magic gathered will follow that intent—that thought—and cause it to happen. How, nobody is quite certain. All they know is that if the intend to do something is there, and is solid enough, it will happen.
This is what is meant when it is said that only the imagination sets a limit. So long as you can imagine that something will happen, and truly intend for it to happen, then it can and will occur. But even magic isn't a limitless font of energy, and though it is forever outside of our reality, never truly depleting, it is impossible to do great things without equally great amounts of power.
Channeling magic
For some, it is easier to keep a clear intent of whatever it is one wishes to do by speaking it aloud, in one way or another. It can be in another language—Latin is an oft used language—or in one's own language, or even in using nonsense words. The only thing that is important is that the words mean something to the Sorcerer in question. For example, the word "Gaia", the name of the Greek Primordial Goddess of the Earth, might be what one Sorcerer uses to call upon a spire of bedrock, because to them that is the intent and the meaning behind the word, whereas to some other Sorcerer it might do nothing as they do not connect any Intent of meaning to it.
Alternatively, there are also those who use crystals; channeling their magic through a gemstone of a specific colour, or a specific shape. That is to say, they use a Foci to channel their power through, foregoing the use of spoken language or silent thought to guide their magic. A foci can be a wide variety of things: From symbols written on a book's pages, to a quarter staff inscribed with runes or glyphs.
So long as something carries a meaning, and is able to guide the Intent of the Sorcerer, anything could be used as a foci, if they use one at all.
Exhaustion?
The Sorcerer acts as a conduit for the forces they call into this world, and every person has their limits. So while magic can do virtually everything, a human cannot.
Have you ever worked on something for so long that you felt yourself grow tired? Not physically exhausted, but unable to concentrate and continue working. Such is the effects of exhaustion from using too much Magic. While the state of exhaustion will recede with sufficient rest, a person can only channel so much power through them—hold Intent and their desired Effect for so long—before their mind becomes tired, and they are unable to keep a grasp on what they wish to happen. This limit exists for every Sorcerer, and is the only factor aside from their Imagination that limits them. It is, however, a soft cap, meaning that it is possible to continue after this state, although it is difficult, hence it not being mentioned in the introduction.
Summary
Magic is a force outside our reality, capable of being reached and drawn upon through our minds: Our Intent. If a Sorcerer wishes to cast a spell, they must truly be intent on doing it, and be able to imagine what it is they wish to happen. It is not so simple as simply telling oneself that they believe it will happen, they will have to want it to happen. If they do not, their grasp of the magical energy they have collected for the task will fizzle and become nothing.
Greater spells calls for greater amounts of magic, which will lead to becoming exhausted quicker. Everyone has a limit, and it can be extended through training.
So, I hope this is at least a little bit interesting. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
