Well, the Dying Earth genre can do this quite effectively.
Ouranid Send a noteboard - 03/11/2009 04:08:45 PM
I see the problem coming in where authors try and mix mystical and fantastical with scientific. Whenever an author tries to do that, I lose all interest in the magic system. When Terry Brooks tried to go all scientific instead of magical, i lost interest in the entire series. I almost had that experience with Erikson but he didn't go so far.
Where science is mistaken for magic in the far future. However, it is often left unexplained, to the degree that it seems more magical than much of contemporary fantasy.
*MySmiley*
Indeed, I marry them in their unlawful bed, with an open heart I affirm the true right of any man and woman to their dark slobbering nights which are rare enough, and against which too many laws conspire.
Indeed, I marry them in their unlawful bed, with an open heart I affirm the true right of any man and woman to their dark slobbering nights which are rare enough, and against which too many laws conspire.
What is the purpose of a "good" magic system in fantasy?
- 02/11/2009 05:15:29 PM
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For me at least, it changes with each story, and each telling.
- 02/11/2009 07:47:59 PM
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Well, the Dying Earth genre can do this quite effectively.
- 03/11/2009 04:08:45 PM
686 Views
A "good" system can enhance the otherness of the world or characters.
- 02/11/2009 08:34:02 PM
767 Views
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
728 Views
Indeed.
- 03/11/2009 04:16:41 PM
732 Views
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
694 Views
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
333 Views
*NM*
- 03/11/2009 08:14:59 PM
333 Views