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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.
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What is the purpose of a "good" magic system in fantasy? - 02/11/2009 05:15:29 PM 994 Views
For me at least, it changes with each story, and each telling. - 02/11/2009 07:47:59 PM 662 Views
Well, the Dying Earth genre can do this quite effectively. - 03/11/2009 04:08:45 PM 567 Views
Well, sure, magic is by definition unscientific. - 02/11/2009 08:21:38 PM 660 Views
A "good" system can enhance the otherness of the world or characters. - 02/11/2009 08:34:02 PM 657 Views
Warbreaker felt like it had a lot of untapped potential - 03/11/2009 05:55:23 AM 578 Views
I think it takes a couple of things to make a good magic system - 02/11/2009 09:25:42 PM 559 Views
Concequence is certainly interesting. - 03/11/2009 04:02:58 PM 607 Views
Indeed. - 03/11/2009 04:16:41 PM 616 Views
Sounds interesting. - 03/11/2009 04:30:37 PM 561 Views
Novelty and verisimilitude, for me - 03/11/2009 05:51:22 AM 587 Views
Heh, yes. - 03/11/2009 04:05:37 PM 632 Views
I really don't care as long as it is not horribly inconsistent. - 03/11/2009 07:47:48 AM 606 Views
The problem with heroes is they are just making it up as the go along - 03/11/2009 06:49:25 PM 583 Views
That is not without a whole lot of precident in comics. *NM* - 03/11/2009 08:04:48 PM 242 Views
yes but comics run for decades *NM* - 05/11/2009 09:19:05 PM 243 Views
Although this is technically SciFi... - 03/11/2009 08:23:27 PM 617 Views
Hmmmm. - 05/11/2009 04:34:03 PM 572 Views
needless masturbation? As opposed to "purposeful?" *NM* - 05/11/2009 06:54:27 PM 285 Views
*insert gender joke here* *NM* - 06/11/2009 01:39:47 AM 242 Views
Yes. I actually believe it can be very purposeful. *NM* - 07/11/2009 04:48:27 PM 237 Views

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