>[!meta-dates] >- **Created:** 2025-07-26 >- **Last updated:** 2025-08-18 >- **Author:** TJ Trewin > [!info] > **This exploration is part of my fantasy worldbuilding development! Check out my latest progress on the project here:** > **[[Overview - start here]]** > > Or get your sneak peeks before anyone else by supporting me on Ko-fi: > https://ko-fi.com/tjtrewin/tiers 🥰 >[!warning] Spoilers ahead! >This note contains spoilers about how the magic in my world works - if you'd prefer to experience this in a *"show, don't tell"* format, head to the [[Overview - start here|overview page]] and explore from there. ## Limitations No: - revival, resurrection, necromancy, or two-way communication with the dead - telepathy, telekinesis, mind manipulation (beyond the means of social engineering or psychological manipulation) - flight, teleportation - time travel, two-way communication with the past or future Unlikely: - communication with animals - summoning - transmutation - use of material or vocalised components (unless for cultural traditions or personal beliefs) Maybe: - form of communication - healing (to what extent?) - camouflage and shape-shifting (limitations - similar to octopus? lizards?) - enhancing or changing existing features or senses (dark vision, heightened hearing, reduced pain reception) - but at what cost or impact? Yes: - often used destructively - chaotic, difficult to control or to execute effectively - use of particular forms of motion (to cause different effects? or not?) - impact triggers the effect ## Origins Magic is a natural force influenced by volcanic activity and mantle upwellings deep within the planet. Sites such as large igneous provinces (LIPs), hotspots, and volcanic arcs have greater magic which has seeped into the igneous rocks, minerals, and ores that form there. Sites of volcanic activity (be they active or dormant) are fought over with equal ferocity from the sophont and the natural predators that have grown powerful in such a magic-rich habitat. Species developing in these regions during times of great volcanic activity (past or present) undergo evolutionary changes that manifest as magic-infused metallic and crystalline physicalities such as unusual protrusions, textures, or structural features. Some creatures are able to use this as camouflage, leading to local myths about animal-shaped rock formations being ancient powerful beings that attained so much magic they are hibernating as giant boulders and cliffs. >[!info]- Inspirations >- [Bone cancer](https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlyterrifying/comments/1c9kzaz/human_skull_with_stage_1_bone_cancer/) (the link is to an image of a skull and a bone with sharp fibrous textures), [bone spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exostosis), or cutaneous horns >- [Scaly-foot gastropod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaly-foot_gastropod) that has infused iron sulphides >- Concept art from [Stephen Oakley](https://www.artofoaks.com/projects/4K4vW) and [Adriana Marasz](https://www.artstation.com/artwork/qem6ge) >- WritFinch's [Gold and Bone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNspBoRAAho) Metals and minerals formed through igneous processes contain magical power, but in order to use it you need to harness your connection and understanding of this essence. Species and beings with physical infusions have an innate feel for this, and those born in volcanically active areas (particularly during nearby eruptions) tend to learn how to use magic with ease. Beings without magical physicalities can still learn and use magic by wielding tools or weapons made of specific metals and materials, or to wear it in the form of armour and accessories; some cultures practise body modification to attach and implant such materials. - - - magma magic / magmagic is a natural force mantle upwellings, LIPs, eruptions, hotspots = increase magic's power or influence during prehistoric periods of huge magmatic activity, magic affected biological evolution - metal bones/teeth/horns/claws/plates/scales? rust? - crystalline protrusions/growths? - do parts of them turn to stone/calcify? similar to bone cancer? becoming statues? or deforming to look more golem-like? or is it just a myth based off of local geology features? - develop organs/features that let you use or sense magic? differences between intrusive (plutonic) and extrusive (volcanic) igneous rocks? role of metamorphic & sedimentary rocks/minerals? it seeps into igneous rocks and their mineral, crystalline structures, as well as ores and metals. purity = more powerful or maybe less chaotic (maybe you want chaos?). what about alloys? maybe rocks are used to dampen magic? sedimentary? wood? water? what about prehistoric stone tools? hammers, axes, knapped tools? instead of wands or hand movements, are blade movements the thing that casts a spell? this makes martial arts and schools important, but commonplace knives could be used for everyday spells movements, flourishes, power, speed weight/amount of metal = more power, but that's slower too less metal = faster but weaker the higher your physical attributes & knowledge of how to use the weapon, the greater your damage & spell effectiveness. a novice can still clumsily wield the finest weapon in the world, but won't achieve much in doing so. do the spells only activate on impact? so you can't just wave them around constantly firing off spells. what about projectiles? those are more challenging to form a motion staves? crystals? magic itself isn't ranged, only the projectile - so would staves only exist for physical impact? purity and refinement affect spell power, so mining and smithing is important how do magnetic metals play a role in this? sparks? lightning? flame? hot metal? does the magic/weapon scale the longer you have it? family inheritance strong? incentive for thieves? does it transfer? are metal blades particularly good at doing something? what about metal pipes? coins? armour? conversely, are they dangerous due to their magic, meaning other materials need to be developed for technology? what about architecture? obsidian, pumice, ash, volcanic sand, quality of metal, refinement, and working - is it only useful if you know how to use this magic? if you were born near a place of volcanic activity, or during/near an eruption, do you have greater powers? rituals surrounding ash - are igneous-touched beings able to do different things without blade spells? - are they blessed/empowered, cursed, or both? - affinity for spells, blacksmithing, metalworking, masonry - can they spend energy/focus to manipulate igneous rocks, metal, minerals to remove impurities? limitations: poor form or interruptions will cause unintended effects that may also impact the caster. (swordcaster? bladecaster?) this means that spells need to be cast with careful consideration. many of the movements may also leave you wide open (like theatrical/movie "swordfighting"). maybe non-metal armour offers better protection against magic (yet is still poor protection against blades) - does metal armour attract the spell effect due to igneous affinity? non metal weapons are used in training, not only for safety from cuts/punctures but also from spells until a student is skilled enough is there something interesting in the relation of material's origins (metal from the same mine)? if it's based on motion, what are areas to consider regarding people with limited mobility? what about people with lots of motion but less control or thought behind it (from a condition, or naivety?) unethical/frowned on magic = related to dangerous materials like asbestos or radioactive materials? they probably don't know *why* it's so dangerous, only that the outcomes are horrific. sulphur? other applications: - tools, cutlery, pots & pans, currency, pipes, wires, mesh, chains, gates, hinges, doors, keys, locks, safes, rails, vehicles, bars, grates, branding irons?, fishing hooks, carpentry saws, nails, screws, **bells, gongs, musical instruments** if you cast a spell through impact, it will damage the tool/weapon. more powerful spells = more wear & tear? chance of breaking completely? having it activate on impact prevents some person with a longsword just going swishyswishy and firing off spells willy-nilly 😂 arrowheads, bolts, and other projectile ammunition (bullets, cannonballs) would be harder to do spells with unless you're super skilled (archers curving arrows w trick shots) or have great engineering to somehow change the trajectory of a projectile so that it moves in a certain way-ooooooh weird wooshy trebuchets 🤔 ... so if spells are relatively new, how did the influence of magic affect species? if upwellings or eruptions maybe caused metal (or crystal?) to grow in species and then they moved their limbs, maybe they'd discover some spells this way? what personal elements/flairs can be added to this? if volcanic activity increases magic, professions surrounding its studies and forecasting is significant. architecture is important to live on or close to volcanic features. everyone wants to live there, but so do the strongest creatures who've dominated the space. what about chemically grown crystals? sold as fakes? any power or nah? **Spell/effect ideas:** - fire burst, ignite, burn, scorch, singe, melt, cauterise, weld, smoke, embers - shock, spark, paralyse, stun - cold, frostbite, freeze, cold shock - where does the cold come from?? - poison, radiation, acid, etch, corrode, rust/oxidise, blister - produce/affect sound? alarm, mimicry, throw sound/distract, loud/deafen/stun, silence, move/impact silently or quietly - visual effect/illusion? confuse, distract, calm, taunt, hide/camouflage/disguise - affect balance? nausea - extra strength/force/impact/sharpness - meditative/healing forms for self/others? - reflect/modify light? shine, glare, dazzle, blind, flash - stabilise or move ground? rupture, quake, ground spikes, open pit, cause bump/trip - wind burst, gust, breeze, whirlwind - push, pull, spin, rotate, tip, tilt, trip - slice, puncture, bludgeon, shatter, fragment **Enchanting** - enchanted tools/weapons still need movement to cast - power/effect/accuracy? increased? are there other requirements? - metal/mineral and its purity/size - do different materials do different things? - specific movements of the material - what exactly? martial arts, body motions, gymnastics, parkour, dance, hand motions, drumming, instruments - speed & accuracy affect outcome - ??? - intent? - language? words? sounds? written? runes? - impact so the further the range, the weaker the effect becomes #### Is this the *only* form of magic in the world? e.g. Farseer trilogy skill vs wit - - - Research areas I'd like to explore: - List of metals, minerals, and rocks formed through (or related to) magmatic activity - intrusive (plutonic) and extrusive (volcanic) igneous rocks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rock_types - Sedimentary rocks, minerals, and other materials not associated with magma (salt? flint? clay?) - https://opengeology.org/Mineralogy/7-sedimentary-minerals-and-sedimentary-rocks/ - https://www.reddit.com/r/askgeology/comments/1mf3och/are_there_any_nonigneous_metals/ - [Igneous reasons why porphyry Cu–Au deposits are not magmatic](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08120099.2024.2422433#abstract) - glassblowing similarities with martial arts movements https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2vCN9zSDxQ - flow arts - https://www.reddit.com/r/magicbuilding/comments/887l7l/comment/dwimhcp/ consider different parts/framework - https://www.reddit.com/r/magicbuilding/comments/1lnkmkb/poorly_explaining_my_magic_system_this_time_with/?chainedPosts=t3_i9ovxr rope, cats cradle, dreamcatchers, guitar strings - metal wires, chains - **hex**agons - coal walking