Many people, on this, the old, and other boards, say that a good magic system is important to them in works of fantasy. Why is that, and what is meant by a "good" magic system? Is it in terms of complexity and internal logic, or simply novelty? In what way does this improve a story?
Depending on the book, I do appreciate a good magic system; and I judge that based on originality, coherence and development. I think it appeals to my academic side: I want to know how things work, and a coherent and good magic system is part of a coherent and interesting world if there is magic in it. That being said, books that develop the magic at the cost of plot or characters, or -- God forbid -- language, I don't like.
Many author's organize their magic into pseudo-scientific systems, something I think many of them pick up from a background in Dungeons & Dragons and similar media. It makes sense in games, but as a litterary device, magic has more in common with the subconscious workings of the mind than theories of gravity and electromagnetism. Magic is by definition unscientific.
Only by some definitions, ie a current western worldview. There is nothing precluding a literary universe where magic is scientific.
I'm not saying a marriage of science and magic shouldn't be attempted. It is done to great effect in steampunk and other works commenting on the relationship between man and technology.
Technomages in Babylon 5
But in my mind, a complicated magic system for the sake of itself seems like needless masturbation.
Isn't all reading?
You thoughts?
I like being able to explore beyond the immediate, and to find coherence. I am happy with a book not sporting a thoroughly explored magic system -- most of the books I read have no magic in them at all -- but if you are going to have magic, you should make damn sure it is coherent. And recycling old patterns gets trite very fast.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
What is the purpose of a "good" magic system in fantasy?
- 02/11/2009 05:15:29 PM
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A "good" system can enhance the otherness of the world or characters.
- 02/11/2009 08:34:02 PM
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Warbreaker felt like it had a lot of untapped potential
- 03/11/2009 05:55:23 AM
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A part of that is planned, and another part is due to a growing author.
- 03/11/2009 03:11:58 PM
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I think it takes a couple of things to make a good magic system
- 02/11/2009 09:25:42 PM
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Concequence is certainly interesting.
- 03/11/2009 04:02:58 PM
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Indeed.
- 03/11/2009 04:16:41 PM
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Have you described this here or at Wotmania before?
- 04/11/2009 09:25:01 AM
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I wrote a little about it at wotmania when Danu was having her last big writing contest.
- 04/11/2009 02:34:51 PM
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I really don't care as long as it is not horribly inconsistent.
- 03/11/2009 07:47:48 AM
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The problem with heroes is they are just making it up as the go along
- 03/11/2009 06:49:25 PM
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That is not without a whole lot of precident in comics. *NM*
- 03/11/2009 08:04:48 PM
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It doesn't really make a for an internally consisnt magic system OR plot, though. *NM*
- 03/11/2009 08:14:59 PM
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*NM*
- 03/11/2009 08:14:59 PM
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Hmmmm.
- 05/11/2009 04:34:03 PM
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