But magic in most stories isn't unscientific. Mages are essentially alchemists in typical fantasy, after all, if they aren't more scientific than that.
I think the Warrens are fantastic because they're so integral to the plot. And there's really not too much explanation of their actual particulars, other than "everyone can access one if they work really hard at it and some people have innate talent." It's definitely not like WoT, which almost goes into recipes for various flows of the Power. "One part Wind, three parts Fire, OH LOOK I CREATED The Flames of Ga'eth'erindor, which is the common name for the fallen nation of Galethmenerindor, which fell 524 years ago after Artur Hawkwing farted on one of his maids."
I think the Warrens are fantastic because they're so integral to the plot. And there's really not too much explanation of their actual particulars, other than "everyone can access one if they work really hard at it and some people have innate talent." It's definitely not like WoT, which almost goes into recipes for various flows of the Power. "One part Wind, three parts Fire, OH LOOK I CREATED The Flames of Ga'eth'erindor, which is the common name for the fallen nation of Galethmenerindor, which fell 524 years ago after Artur Hawkwing farted on one of his maids."
"We feel safe when we read what we recognise, what does not challenge our way of thinking.... a steady acceptance of pre-arranged patterns leads to the inability to question what we are told."
~Camilla
Ghavrel is Ghavrel is Ghavrel
*MySmiley*
~Camilla
Ghavrel is Ghavrel is Ghavrel
*MySmiley*
What is the purpose of a "good" magic system in fantasy?
- 02/11/2009 05:15:29 PM
1115 Views
Well, sure, magic is by definition unscientific.
- 02/11/2009 08:21:38 PM
783 Views
A "good" system can enhance the otherness of the world or characters.
- 02/11/2009 08:34:02 PM
765 Views
Warbreaker felt like it had a lot of untapped potential
- 03/11/2009 05:55:23 AM
691 Views
A part of that is planned, and another part is due to a growing author.
- 03/11/2009 03:11:58 PM
867 Views
I think it takes a couple of things to make a good magic system
- 02/11/2009 09:25:42 PM
678 Views
Concequence is certainly interesting.
- 03/11/2009 04:02:58 PM
725 Views
Indeed.
- 03/11/2009 04:16:41 PM
730 Views
Have you described this here or at Wotmania before?
- 04/11/2009 09:25:01 AM
758 Views
I wrote a little about it at wotmania when Danu was having her last big writing contest.
- 04/11/2009 02:34:51 PM
663 Views
I really don't care as long as it is not horribly inconsistent.
- 03/11/2009 07:47:48 AM
723 Views
The problem with heroes is they are just making it up as the go along
- 03/11/2009 06:49:25 PM
692 Views
That is not without a whole lot of precident in comics. *NM*
- 03/11/2009 08:04:48 PM
296 Views
It doesn't really make a for an internally consisnt magic system OR plot, though. 
*NM*
- 03/11/2009 08:14:59 PM
333 Views
*NM*
- 03/11/2009 08:14:59 PM
333 Views