Laws of Magic
Introduction
There is immeasurable potential in the world. That is also what magic means; the potential to create or dissolve. Magic belongs to the forces of nature, as well as gravity and others. It is therefore banal and mysterious at the same time, because it is the only force, with which the barrier between imagination and being can be lifted.
Writing about Magic
Stylistically, there are a few things to keep in mind when writing about magic. It follows certain laws - as explained below. But even beyond that, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Magic often works rather incrementally in this world. That is, there are no big effects like flashes of light. The magic works more covertly and especially its results show up then. However, these can be quite remarkable. However, exceptions to this rule are possible, especially at the time of the Old Empire. A good example of how magic works would be "Game of Thrones".
- Magic has been forgotten in many places at the time of the Iron Gate saga and is therefore no longer used. Here is the list of places where it is still used on a significant scale. So, it is unlikely to find the use of magic outside these regions, except in special cases.
Principles of Magic
Potential is the linchpin of magic. Potential describes the degree of possibility to intervene in the state of an object or environment through willpower or intuition.
Magical potential behaves just like energy; it is contained in everything, in every object and every living being. From a Human perspective, the potential that exists is immeasurable. So there are seemingly infinite possibilities. However, there are limits.
Magic can therefore be considered quite scientifically against this background. It has principles and regularities:
- Something is or it is not. From them emerges by synergy what could be. If is and is not meet, the infinite potential becomes usable. It can be the becoming or the dissolving.
- The world is crisscrossed by lines of potential, which - like an organism - have the usable energy in them and distribute it evenly. At their intersections nexuses are created, where the unfolding of the potential is even easier than in other places.
- In order to be able to convert and conduct potential, the conducting substance is decisive. Some substances conduct better than others. There is no infinite conductivity, because otherwise the conducting substance is destroyed. With individuals this ability is subjectively different: The greatest conductivity is represented by the consciousness, or the formative will, since it is itself processual and full of potential.
- Consciousness (as well as emotions) are intertwined with magic. Hence, they cannot be altered permanently through foreign influence.
- Magic energy always strives for equal distribution.
- Magic and to some extent the individuals associated with it (which includes every person on the most basic level) cannot be changed in their essence. The individual is constantly converting magic, even if not magically gifted. It is this process itself that cannot be changed.
Possibilities
- Transmutation: It is possible to adjust the energy level of one item to that of another, so that the item basically transmutes and becomes what it is supposed to become.
- Teleportation: With the appropriate ability, it is possible to change the state of one's body so that one can be transported by energy currents, starting from Nexus.
- Expansion of consciousness or omnipresence: To a certain degree, like a rubber band. Both temporally and spatially. Along with this, the transfer of a person's consciousness into an animal - especially when there is a connection between the two.
- Omnipotence or telekinesis: Influencing objects in other places is basically possible but demanding. In the same place it is much easier. Spatial and temporal substance are crucial.
- Magic leaves also perceptible resonance, which is perceptible e.g. over visions.
Restrictions
Potential is infinite. But there is only a certain amount of energy that can be converted at all, because there is not infinite energy and matter.
- Energy is not created out of nothing.
- You can't convert too much energy in one place or at one time, because no substance can withstand infinite pressure. It is simply not possible.
- Individuals can only conduct and convert a certain amount of energy.
- Simply killing someone through raw magic. One cannot extinguish potential by potential. Altering their circumstances to dissolve their form and hence kill them is possible though.
- Reviving someone after a long clinical death by magic is not possible. You cannot create potential out of something dissolved.
- Permanently change the emotions of others. Influence weakens, people become resistant and influence is usually recognized as such.
- Movements at the speed of light.
Utilization
There are different ways to use magic and its potential. This can be compared to working with stone or making tools. The same stone can take very different forms when given to different craftsmen. Also, different tools can be made to do the same work, each with different efficiency.
Using magic involves a natural affinity called magical sensitivity.
Example
- In the past: The Old Ones already used magic intensively when the Dragons arrived. Later in the Old Empire, magic was also much more present and more often directly perceptible. It was trained, researched, and knowledge was imparted. This even led to extensive terraforming.
- In the present: Magic often works more incrementally: there are no blockbuster effects (like lightning bolts shooting from hands or flying objects). Such things are absolutely possible, but rather infrequent, to then magnify the effect narratively. Indirect effects via alchemy, rituals, clairvoyance, curses, or effects over time, etc. are the norm. Magic has often been relegated to the realm of legends. Few know its full potential.
In the future: Since the Old Empire practiced terraforming in deserts and the activities or facilities intended for it have remained unattended for over a millennium, the corresponding regions (see climate map) will eventually return to their original state.
Methods
Other effects
