[juzzza]

Just thought I'd throw this one out there.

Before I start, I just want to make it clear that I have no problem with magic, in fact, it is a great part of why I love the fantasy genre.

For many years I only read comic books and the good thing about comics is that you know why the super heroes have their powers/magic.

Spiderman - Bitten by a radioactive spider.
Superman - From another planet
Phoenix - Possessed by an alien entity
X-Men - Mutations
Batman - Loaded... And so on.

My point is, one thing I find irritating is when the magic in a book is glossed over with things like:

He uttered the words
He called upon the source
He read the scroll
He pointed his staff

Can anyone explain some good magic systems to me, systems you have come across in novels or even ones you have come up with yourself?

Don't get me wrong, my own stories often have characters who 'utter the words of power' but I try and explain and justify it a bit.

Anyone care to comment?

[Ogg]

He extended his finger and pointed it, poking juzzza in the eye, and the magic flowed forth...

Kinda like that?

He curled his finger and juzzza pulled it, and the magic flowed forth...

Or like that maybe...

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/fart.gif


now that's what i call magic

[juzzza]

Now the second one made sense!!! You called upon the source and uttered a toot of power.

[Sammie]

I like James Barclay's system of magic in his Raven books. Magic is a kind of potential force in the air/surroundings, which the mages then 'shape'/control/direct to suit their purpose - i think what i like about this is that energy isn't just coming from nowhere, which always annoys me. "Energy cannot be created", after all :).

[Holbrook]

That is something I have thought about a lot when writing and most of my stories are "fantasy" with out the "magic"

But my latest one I have taken a stab at "magic" or rather poked a finger at it (groan)

Everyday Mages use potion's and herbs empowered by part of themselves, now you could use blood, but you would run out of that pretty soon, so...... (use your imagination here folks as it is a running gag in my story. What does the human body get rid of a few gallons each day.....)

Now for a High Mage who pushes himself a bit further suddenly realises that he is a part of the world and the world is a part of him and if he wants to bend an arm he does so and if he wants to?

Get the picture. Ultimate power!!!!!

Down side is that realising that you are the world and it is you, will given time, send you completely mad. That is insane, off ones trolley, cuckoo, round the bend, bananas, "loony as a tune m'dear"

[Shef]

I enjoy the Discworld magic. Prachett takes it in a differant direction and with the need to supply a equal force. So if you try to use tetekinesis to fast, your brain will be squished out of your ears. Oh and Fred Saberhagens magic in the sword series is nice too. Since magic doesn't work well in combat, there are no I will kill them all with a superspell tricks. (Except when it comes down to the swords of course)

[AlienLogic]

The Magic in "The Magic Goes Away" stories by Larry Niven.
Magic is fueled by the non renewable, finite resource "mana" which used to be quite common. Werewolves, unicorns, mermaids, dragons etc have a metabolism partly fueled by mana. As the mana runs out by overuse by wizards etc magic becomes weaker and almost disappears. As do the creatures who need mana.

[milamber_reborn]

Jordan's WOT, where they chnnel the One Power.

[Shanoncia]

YOu wouldn't believe the power of methodical music... alas the secrets of which I'll never tell! ;)