Working within a system of ritual magic
Something I often notice when reading fantasy novels is that magic feels more like superpowers than arcane mechanisms of the world. I'm not sure if I'm explaining myself well.
With that in mind, I set out to create a magic system that was closer to my idea of "true magic."
First, I needed to define the mechanics. I wanted to distance myself as much as possible from the feeling of superpowers, so I decided that the power doesn't reside in the users.
Then I needed a means to manifest the power. The classic methods are written or spoken words, or other means, but since those are more social in origin, I didn't feel they were appropriate for this more "natural" idea of magic.
So I chose objects, numbers, and geometric shapes.
The idea is that magic consists of performing a ritual combining these three elements.
The objects are what define the power of the ritual, what they do. To choose the elements to use, consult the periodic table and select the non-metallic elements, as there are only a few: hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium.
The idea is that one or more of these substances will be placed in the ritual to determine their effects in relation to their associated power. For example, hydrogen is related to kinetic energy; it can be used to move things.
Here is a list:
- Hydrogen: Sudden telekinesis, accompanied by gusts of wind
- Carbon: Healing
- Nitrogen: Information, sensory capacity (cognitive, not light)
- Oxygen: Oxidation, degradation
- Phosphorus: ???
- Sulfur: ???
- Selenium: ???
Then there are the geometric shapes, which are used to determine the location and/or direction of the effect.
For example, triangles create a vector effect with a direction, a circle creates an effect within a specific radius, and so on.
For example, if someone were to tattoo several triangles on their arms and complete the ritual with hydrogen from the air, they could employ sudden telekinesis, powerful thrusts in the direction the arm is pointing, dragging gusts of wind along with it.
For now, I've only considered these two uses.
Finally, there are numbers. I'm not referring to numerical symbols, but to numbers as units of things. This role can be played by both the objects of the ritual and the geometric shapes.
1 = Basic, recognition of something as a Unit to be recognized by the system, whether it's an object composed of many parts, a body composed of atoms, or a community of individuals.
2 = Duality, parallelism, pairings, relationship between two Units. Sympathetic bond. For example, using one part of something to affect another, or a similar object.
3 = It is the beginning of a Pattern, something that makes it evident. It reinforces the power between the three Units that compose it.
4 = Beginning of a Cycle, a Pattern that repeats and perpetuates itself, repeating the ritual in a specific order.
5 = Disruptive, decay, interruption. It cuts rituals and links, or reverses effects.
So, for example, let's say I want to summon a tornado, how do I do it?
I take some part of the area I want to affect, whether it's pieces of buildings, earth, etc.
Then, in a comfortable place, you draw a circle on the floor and place the parts of the area to be affected inside it. The circle is a single object, a unit of something; therefore, the entire chosen area is considered a single place. Then draw several triangles inside the circle, pointing towards each other, showing the direction the effect will take. Draw the triangles in multiples of four so the ritual will perpetuate itself. And finally, use hydrogen from the air as the ritual material, and that's it—a tornado will begin to manifest in the place you want to destroy.
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Those are the basics for now. I still need to think about several things, what limits to set so it's well-structured, and also a name.
But I want opinions, to see where I messed up.