There are a few rules in creating a magic system for a Fantasy novel. I will talk a little about that today and use the research I am doing for the new book “The Seer of Grace and Fire” as the example.
For the upcoming work that I will be doing in this world I have to do an entire set of world building. So far I know there are 3 characters. A male who acts like a female, his sister and the Valkyris who is an evil queen. There is magic in the world and some of it is defined by music. There were handheld harps in the previous story I wrote in high school. There were also elves and half-elves and Jahnai. The Jahnai will have to be flushed out as they are a new race. There was also a character called Timorn and he was sort of a Ranger type so we will have to flush that out. There was another female character named Ihel and she was a high elf. Also scenes took place at court which had high aristocratic implications and there was a religious system. This is all I currently know about the world. So that means we will have to work this out completely to make it work in a novel.
Since this is a fantasy story it needs to have a magic system. Mine will include magic that is both birthed to you and acquired. The rules will have to be spelled out. Since in the original story there was something to do with gender we will make that also important. There was some magic that only females could perform and that is why the male character wanted to be a female or was transgender, I still need to make that work somehow. He could actually pull it off so there needs to be some explanation there about him. This magic had to do with music and took place in court in the original story.
Magic Systems – Some things to take into Account
Mystery Elements: Magic in the world should have some mystery about it like where it came from. Was it from the gods, another race that lived on the planet and disappeared, was it cultivated by the ancients and passed down for generations? All this needs to be defined.
How do you use magic in the world: How is the magic used? What is it used for, healing, stealing, gaining knowledge, gaining power, gaining wealth, lording over others, controlling creatures like dragons? These are all aspects of the world that need to be looked into. Are there scribes, priests, mages, are there races like elves that can use the magic?
What is the source of magic: Are people born with the magic? Can only certain people use it or can it be acquired or learned? If it is learned or acquired does that mean only the rich can use it what about other castes? Is there a caste system in the story? If it was birthed to you do you know that you have the magic? Is there a stigma to it? All these things are important.
How are acts of magic performed: Is it through spoken spells, are there wands or staves. Do they summon creatures or gods. Does it include objects that are used to make the magic come to life? All this needs to be flushed out.
Write a magic guide: Once you understand the basic principals of your magic system it is important to write them down so that you can follow them as you write the story.
In my story some of the races like the elves have the magic. It is unclear in what I remember of the story if Timorn has magic of any type. He might have some magical weapon since he is a Ranger. The male character who plays the harp has magic which is innate in him and requires the harp. Somehow he can bend the rules and use the magic but it affects his outward appearance by changing the colour of his hair and there is glamoury which is usualy aquainted to faeries, that means the Jahnai might be faeries. It is unclear at this time if the male character is an elf. I will have to define the distinction between elves and man. Timorn might be half elven I think if I remember correctly.
If we go back to grydscaen for a moment which is more based on science, the characters or at least some of them have psychic power. Now there are rules about which powers people have and you have to keep it straight. For example Blue is a damper he can absorb the psychic power of others and he can send but he cannot attack you with his power. His power is defensive. This has to be taken into account whenever I am dealing with him in a combat situation. Since he cannot defend himself in an attack that makes him vulnerable and I have to remember to always keep Blue within the confines of his power. This will be the same for any magic system. Once you define the rules you have to stick to them.
Creating a magic system can be fun. All the research that goes into it can be rewarding. Take your time when building out your magic system and enjoy the process.