7 Laws of Magic Systems - The Art of World Building

The first law worldbuilders determine what works and what does not work for magic The second law the world builder will determine who can cast magic and what type The third law magic if multiple magic types exist the world builder will determime what magic people can use the difference between them and whether people can use multiple types Fourth law of magic world builders will determine what happens when the spell fails Fifth law world builders will determine what local laws there are about magic Sixth law worldbuilders will follow the laws they set forth The seveventh law worldbuilders will determine what training is available needed and what strings are attached

My magic system is based on the planets of old astrology. Each planet is not considered a planet, but is referred to as an arcana. Each arcana corresponds to different magic, including an element, aspects of life, and is drawn from the user. Different races/factions have their own version of the arcana system, but the main faction views it as follows. Sol is drawn from belief (religious or otherwise), rules over light, and casts spells of blessings and wardings. Luna is drawn from imagination, rules over water, and provides divinatory knowledge and the ability to perceive and interact with spiritual forces. Mars is drawn from passion (in all its forms), rules over fire, and cast spells to either enhance the body or instigate emotions. Mercury is drawn from intellect, rules over air, and casts illusion and teleportation spells. Jupiter is drawn from Ambition, rules over lightning and storms, and can levitate objects and abjure the magic of others. Venus is drawn from one's connection to nature, rules over earth, has power over plants and animals, and is the prime healer arcana. Finally is Saturn which draws upon self preservation/self concern, rules over shadow, and is basically necromancy and blood magic.

This is the magic system from my story. It's known as Chroma. It's basically elemental magic but with a twist. Since all elemental systems have a weakness and effectivity chart it makes characters need to change elements on the go. But the characters of my story are genetically limited to just control one. So, there's where the 4 different states of the Chroma Energy comes. Active. The use of the user's own energy. Passive. The use of the energy from the environment. Reactive. A unbalanced mix of the energy of the user and the environment. Neutral. A perfect mix of the energy of the user and the environment. Usually a counter to attacks. Ethereal. Related to the dimensional plain of the energy.

I think the most important Rule with Magic is that it has to have a cost/drawback. Otherwise, it's a Superpower and even most Superpowers have a drawback. For Example: To ressurect someone, a Necromancer has to kill another Person or: The Pyromancer can only create 3 Fireballs a day, because that's how much Mana he can use every day or: The Warlock can teleport only so far as he can travel and he will feel the exaustion after teleporting as if he had traveled to where he is now

Thanks. Take a breath, pal. Maybe a glass of water too. Just kidding, hope you don't mind. Anyways, thanks for the tips, they're great

Really wish this vid got more appreciation, I'll be sharing this! Thank you so much!

Just bought your ebook for 185 Tips on World Building! Can't wait to check it out! 😁

Great video. Will take note of these for worldbuilding. :)

This is my magic system so far. There's relics, or magical artifacts. Created by either a God or Goddess they contain a 'memory' of the God or Goddess that created it. This 'memory' is the source of power. To obtain a relic one has to clear a dungeon and fight a boss. After obtaining the relic the person has to enter their inner world, like Ichigo does in the anime Bleach. Once there, they're confronted by the 'memory.' If they can win the 'memory's' respect and cooperation they obtain access to it's power. There's 5 levels to the relics power, the last in which the character takes on the appearance of the 'memory.' Each relics power is limited to the God's or Goddess's power. There's a total of 12 main Gods of Goddesses, though there's other minor deities, who can be broken down into either one element (water, air, fire, and earth) or a combination of two elements. So, let's say someone with a relic from the Sun God would be limited to fire magic. Magic does exist in other ways too, but it's rarer and more akin to soft magic, not because it doesn't have rules but because it's so rare not much is known about it other than it's magic. Edit: oh, and relics can also be obtained by theft, killing the original owner, or inheritance. However, even in these situations the inner world part has to be done to obtain it's power.

thank you for this video it has helped me organize my method of magic and how it works in my world. this was extremely useful thank you

WOW, You have taken the things that I have pondered and considered for 25 years or more, mostly during video game playing and turned it into a college level focused synopsis. GFJ. I have played a game that is now over 20 years old that is like LOR/GOT combined, and your Worldbuilding is very obvious in it. Probably due to the game rules, or it wouldn't work. I am now 3D modeling in Z Brush/Marvelous Designer/Blender/CC3/iClone/Substance Painter/3D Coat, and learning Unreal game engine. I want to basically copy this game, except bring it into modern graphics, and improve some of what I consider the limitations of it to expand it into a more dynamic play experience. I am glad to have stumbled upon your channel and mentality. I will most likely sub to your Patreon. I am in the middle of getting an Archery company off the ground at the moment, so I dont have a lot of time for the game making hobby, but I am watching. Thank You again.

Thanks sir, your video is one of the best i've seen on the matter. My system is just fleshing out on itself thanks to you and some gold comments! I was having a hard time and now it's FUN as hell!

I found this insightful, thank you.

Liked and subscribed - this is incredible! Thanks so much - am trying to create a magic system for a world to set my stories in.

Great video, big help 👍

Thanks for the vid, man. Your laws are well thought out and sensible. I really appreciate that you took a nice segment to properly delve into each. Rather than rushing through each. Also, I do have a question unrelated to magic. If one were to create a world that is in it's entirety a city; would you say that the creator should be expertly versed in architectural terms? Edit: I do apologize for the unrelated question, but can't get an answer anywhere. Thought you may be able to offer some insight or advice. Cheers!

I would include another: if magic is common think about how it would be used for everyday things. Such as public safety, sanitation, and mundane careers (such as a cook). "Everyday life with magic" makes it feel much more integrated into the world (internal consistency). 7:27 There's a difference between "failed to cast spell" and "failed to solve problem". Magic can be super reliable without instantly solving everything. I don't recall any "failed to cast" in the first few Dresden books which were plenty exciting. 7:55 Should be "decide on the general attitude and public reaction" in each place. Local laws are good but only exist for places that are aware of magic which depends on how common it is or if there's a conspiracy. 9:39 I think you should switch laws 6 and 7 for the sake of order but ok. 1 call out here is that "training" might be like the X-men where everyone has to figure out their own stuff but the teachers can help walk through it.

this helps me of my own lore!!!

Could please we get a transcript for further videos? I love your videos but I have problems keeping up with speech and a transcript would make it a lot easier to follow along.

Nice video 😌👍