This tag should be used for questions about the creation and design of magic systems, power systems, superpowers, or supernatural abilities for the purposes of a story's plot or characterization. Questions about how a magic system might work or affect the sociology of your world are off-topic here, and should be posted on WorldBuilding.SE instead.
Questions tagged [magic-system]
37 questions
73
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24 answers
How do I know if a concept is sexist or not?
In my story's world, witchcraft is a respected institution, with the most powerful practitioners being at the top echelons of society. Due to this, society traces its lineage through matrilineal lines. A witch has the power to summon a familiar by…
Incognito
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How do I provide exposition on a magic system when no character has an objective or complete understanding of it?
I'm writing an urban fantasy series in which like many urban fantasy series there is a magic-and-powers system hidden from the broader world that the supernatural phenomena of the series run on. However, I'm having trouble providing exposition as to…
user2352714
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8 answers
How to use magic in your story without it burning your plot?
I’m creating a story about magic for a contest, and I wanted to know if magic should or shouldn’t be used to solve problems.
Some people say no, while others say yes – because we should know which problems we want to solve through magic. Problems…
stories of the world
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11
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9 answers
How do I handle an unequal romantic pairing in a world with superpowers?
I am writing a story that revolves around a number of characters that have superhuman abilities living amongst normal people, akin to they myriad superhero comics or many urban fantasies out there (e.g., The Mortal Instruments, many shonen manga).…
user2352714
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7 answers
How to demonstrate an evolution of magic without it seeming like it is improvised?
I'm writing a fantasy novel, in which the story progresses over a number of years. Throughout the story, I want to display an evolution of the magic, much like technology evolves in our world.
The speed of the magic evolution would begin slowly but…
Mike.C.Ford
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5 answers
Can I copy an existing magic system?
Is it fine for me to copy the magic system of another author if every other aspect (story,plot,etc.) of my fantasy story is my own design? For instance, can I use bending from Avatar: The Last Airbender Comics but not use anything else from Avatar:…
Alexander
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Is Ice/Fire opposition too stereotypical?
I'm writing a story where a secondary story-line (it's about a companion of the main character) is basically about a fire mage and an ice mage.
It fits well in the story and the fire/ice elements aren't coming out of nowhere, but I wonder if it will…
user18743
8
votes
6 answers
Superpowers in Writing - Cool for the sake of cool
I originally started planning/writing a short story that was more or less based on a few popular trends in YA/Sci-Fi writing (interstellar travel, superpowers, etc) just as an exercise to force myself out of a particularly nasty bout of writer's…
Lanni Hammonds
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Two magical realities, ours isn't one of them. How do I stop my readers from getting confused?
I'm writing a story with a world that has different physics, alchemy rather than chemistry, and biology that relies somewhat on magic.
The protagonist is not of this world, however he is not of our world either. His powers do not work like the…
Piomicron
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Is it an odd concept for a superhero with superhuman powers to use technology/gadgets and also rely on tech?
In fiction, it's usually human superheroes without powers like Batman or Green Arrow, that use tech or depend on tech to make up for their lack of superpowers.
Not all metahumans are bulletproof, but I still see that it's common for metahuman…
Edock Edock
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How can you incorporate magic and sex into a setting without it becoming fetishy?
The setting I am writing is of a theocratic matriarchal society. Only women are capable of using magic, with some being stronger than others. Magic is slow, ritualistic, and complex, rather than being the fireball throwing or lighting welding type.…
user24397
5
votes
2 answers
How do I create a good naming system for the magic system in my Fantasy novel?
So there is a magic system in my novel, and I'm struggling to give each power its own name.
Each power is paired with another, and the names must sound similar, only with a twist.
Criteria for a good naming system: Names should be confined to real…
Piomicron
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6 answers
Is it a bad idea to design a purposefully inconsistent magic system?
I am working on a magic system for my fantasy world. The basic constraints are that most magic occurs naturally and at random. However, some people (sometimes) can channel and use magic. One of the minor plot points in my story is that spells don't…
Talbot
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Looking to include hijabi character in children's book about magic, would that go against muslim customs?
A friend and I have written and illustrated a children's story about a group of kid witches that includes a girl with a hijab. I have read that magic and witchcraft are taboo in Muslim faith, should we change the character to not wear a hijab? There…
Rainbow
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Is having a magic system that involves carving runes into your own flesh glorifying self harm?
So the way magic is performed in my story's world is by carving runes into the flesh, and lately I've become worried that this may be glorifying self harm.
In the story, society generally views magic as a positive thing, and people see nothing wrong…
suns99
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