Making Magic: What Style Of Magic System Best Fits Your Project?
When you are outlining or even in the process of working on your project have you thought about your magic and how it works? It may not seem like something that really matters, magic is well magic, its meant to be mysterious. Think about Gandalf from the genre defining series “Lord Of The Rings”. Throughout the books and films the popular tall wizard is seen doing fantastical things, from fighting a Balrog with the aid of his abilities to just being a fantastic questing partner. But when leaning a little closer and prodding into this magic, its rules and what it can do as well as its consequences are left vague and shrouded in ambiguity.
This is an example of a soft magic system!
But what about a hard magic system? Lets look at both and give some more in-depth examples to hopefully aid you in the quest of deciding what magic system to use.
Hard Magic Systems - Rules, Consequences, Outcomes
First and foremost we have to give the renowned writer Brandon Sanderson credit as he was the one who got these concepts out the door and well known in the writing community. These systems of magic have made it a lot easier for the construction of complex systems that fuel all sorts of fantasy worlds out there.
Sanderson’s first law which was originally written in the essay, “Three Rules Of Magic”, states the following:
”An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic.”
The crux of a hard magic system is right before us already. The ability for the reader to understand the magic at play. In other words, when the function, cost, rules, and consequences are so well documented in the narrative that the reader could pass as a student in that world’s magical academy.
(I am going to say magic a lot..)
If you want an example of a well done hard magic system, you need not look far. Matter of fact its likely you already watched “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” But how is this a hard magic system? The magic here revolves around the manipulation of the four classical elements: water, earth, fire, and air. The catch? You've got to perform specific martial arts moves to bend those elements, and without the moves, you're out of luck. Oh, and there are limits too – waterbenders can only do their thing with access to nearby water, and firebenders need some flame to bend.
Finally one last example of a world that uses a hard magic system well is the anime “Full Metal Alchemist.” The writers of the show make it a point to express their hard magic system right from the onset opening countless episodes with; “Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth.” In this opening dialogue a rule is already proposed, the law of equivalent exchange. In order to engage with the magic system one must give up something of equal value, and in this exchange also lies the consequence.
See where this is going?
In a hard magic system, conflicts and problems are often resolved through the application of magic in a logical and systematic way. The audience can anticipate how magic will be used, and it's a tool that can be relied upon for problem-solving. Though it makes those problems… less problematic and less dramatic overall. How can a problem be a problem if you have your one size fits all solution?
No matter how awesome hard magic systems may seem, it is critical to understand that this system does not work for everything. In other cases it may fall flat and bring about failure or hard revision to a project. Imagine if we knew all the ins and outs of the magic in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Sometimes, a softer touch is just what the wizard ordered.
Magic, my friends, is as varied as a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
Soft Magic Systems - A Gentler Touch
While hard magic has everything out in the light and clearly explained, soft magic systems are on the opposite side of the table. Normally purposely left vague and shrouded in ambiguity, worlds that embrace this magic system have a sense of mystery and wonder that hard magic systems can’t quite replicate. Where you can theoretically graduate from a magical school by the end of reading a work with hard magic, in a world with soft magic its likely you would be a conspiracy theorist or a philosophy professor at the local university.
No shame to philosophy of course, I find the writings of Plato and Socrates riveting stuff. But the point being soft magic are abstract and complex concepts to the residents of that world.
Rules are not defined, leading to the character’s ability to control said magic to be more sporadic and chaotic. Also the consequences are not fully understood, next thing you know the hero is losing limbs or slowly losing sanity each time they tap into their well of power. Unlike how hard magic is applied logically and in a systematic method, soft magic is often used more as a plot device or a way to create a sense of wonder or unpredictability. It also may not be the primary way a problem is solved, but a buffer to help achieve goals.
While we already talked about it lets briefly look at “Lord Of The Rings” again. Gandalf and the other magic users such as Saruman are a mysterious cast of characters that add a great deal of mystery to the setting. As well as creatures that are met along the way such as the Ents or the Ringwraiths. While both the novels and films explore what these creatures are in some way, it is left mostly unexplored, adding a sense of wonder when Gandalf comes back as Gandalf the white or a feeling of fear and unease when the Ringwraiths come knocking. If the audience knew exactly how Gandalf ascended it would not be as magical a moment, or if the hobbits knew exactly how to deal with the Ringwraiths from the start, they would not have acted as such a narrative force propelling the story forward.
When deciding to use a soft magic system for your project make sure you understand the type of story you are writing and the audience you want to reach. Some people want to know the magic, others would rather not, but in the end you are the writer and as a writer its your goal to write what you want to write. So no matter what, write what you would want to read.
Conclusion
Hopefully this helps out on your quest to find what system of magic to use. And with some examples under your belt it should come a little easier, magic is a blast to write but also a challenge since as a writer you are inventing something all together new. While inspiration may draw from the well of existing concepts, remember that your imagination breathes life into uncharted territories. You can offer a fresh perspective on time-honored tropes, reinventing them in ways only you can.
If you want more writing info and exploration in the craft of creative writing make sure to stick around and check out my other blog posts!
