Having a sense of mystery in your magic

[limyaael]

The “keeping magic mystical” rant. Since I’ve already done rants on understandable, rule-filled, kind-of-scientific systems of magic and the pitfalls I’ve seen with them, here’s some advice in the opposite direction.

Comments

[snapes_angel]

Oh, I don't know if you would have fun with mine. Someone came up with a magic prison to incarcerate this really evil person (think Voldemort except instead of you-know what, my antagonist steals the life force of others) using the energy of a demon to strengthen the spell. He assumed that the demno and the imprisoned would be inactive and helpless - quiescent - for the five hundred year duration - but he was an idiot. *snicker* Although right now I'm stuck on a game of dice. XP

[storm_seeker]

Thank you :)

I especially liked point 7 *nod* and can I take it that you care more for "scientific" or "explained" magic rather than a dash of the "awe/wonder/mystical" variety?

[limyaael]

I don't know. It depends. I've read a few books with elaborate magical systems I liked, and many more I didn't, because the explanations were things I'd already seen done to death (like a dragon choosing the heroine because she's Just That Special). I suspect that I'm more in favor of systems than mysticism in general, but systems that draw on little-used mythologies and systems that don't rely on genetic magic or one protagonist having all the gifts it's possible to have interest me more.

[limyaael]

You're welcome.

I think it's possible that, if the character has encountered information that encourages him to think about his magic scientifically, and that information was introduced plausibly into the story, it's not a big deal. But it would depend on how comprehensive the information was. I can't see a character getting far in a scientific approach to magic without understanding all the basis of the scientific method.

[zekk_skywalk]

When characters encounter evil magic, then they feel “cold” or “slimy,” while good magic gets described in terms of light, beauty, color-well, you can go look at the list of “beautiful” terms that I gave you in point 3 again.

Also goes into the area of, if "evil" magic is so displeasing, why would anyone do it? If "good" magic is so easy and makes you feel so euphoric, why isn't everyone doing it? One of the reasons I'm such a Star Warsaphile is because the "Dark Side" is the one that makes you feel all good and powerful and strong whereas the "Light Side" is difficult and demanding on your morality and emotions. Lets see something where the "evil" necromancers show other magic users that raising the dead gives you a nice, powerful feeling whereas a "good" healer to the living feels drained and empty after helping someone...

[limyaael]

There's a very faint echo of that in the way that some good magic is described as addictive. Even then, though, the hero usually manages to fight free of his addiction and take no permanent damage from it.

[digoraccoon]

Right on! Useful tips for describing magic. I was reading a book on dragons the other day and I think it mentioned something to the effect of your 3rd and 4th points. It also went to say that dragon magic doesn't have to be city incinerating destruction, it could be subtle things like hiding one's senf, locating shiney treasure, or even assisting their ability to fly.

I like subtle magic. For example your mention of growing a coccoon in the palm of your hand.

[limyaael]

The neat thing about the cocoon magic was that it wasn't explained, or even referred to, for the rest of the book. In fact, the character had magic of a different kind that he used to greater effect later. But the cocoon magic was the more vivid and startling example.