So much to think about!!! I’m playing around with a two-tiered magic system, where some people gain magic through years of study while others are born to magical bloodlines with immortal ancestors. The cost is always a stumbling block for me though, I was so thoroughly enamored with wizards like Gandalf and Merlin in my formative years it’s hard for me to get away from the allure of that type.
I’m playing around with the idea of the cost being related to free will... That if you earn your magic through years of study you have complete control over it, but if you’re born with magic you inherited from an immortal ancestor the magic has a will of its own and the more you use it the harder it is to resist. Not sure if that cost is high enough, or if I need to add additional problems 🤔
I actually REALLY love this. It gives a bonus for hard work and a penalty for the (possible) privilege of being born into it, and I could see that causing all sorts of tension
Oooooooh. That is so interesting, and I really like it. I'm Lyssa. You can play with all sorts of themes about privilege/nepotism and even the hopelessness that comes with it. Like you can be born into a celebrity family and have no choice over being in the limelight. If that makes ANY sense.
The other downside to being born with magic is that it can be stolen using forbidden blood magic rituals, but magic that is gained through study can never be taken because it's not in the blood. It's also easier to hide, if you happen to live in a place with a tyrannical ruler determined to capture and control all magic users.
So much to think about!!! I’m playing around with a two-tiered magic system, where some people gain magic through years of study while others are born to magical bloodlines with immortal ancestors. The cost is always a stumbling block for me though, I was so thoroughly enamored with wizards like Gandalf and Merlin in my formative years it’s hard for me to get away from the allure of that type.
I’m playing around with the idea of the cost being related to free will... That if you earn your magic through years of study you have complete control over it, but if you’re born with magic you inherited from an immortal ancestor the magic has a will of its own and the more you use it the harder it is to resist. Not sure if that cost is high enough, or if I need to add additional problems 🤔
I actually REALLY love this. It gives a bonus for hard work and a penalty for the (possible) privilege of being born into it, and I could see that causing all sorts of tension
Oooooooh. That is so interesting, and I really like it. I'm Lyssa. You can play with all sorts of themes about privilege/nepotism and even the hopelessness that comes with it. Like you can be born into a celebrity family and have no choice over being in the limelight. If that makes ANY sense.
As Lyssa says, there's scratch to this idea!
Yay!! Thank you!
The other downside to being born with magic is that it can be stolen using forbidden blood magic rituals, but magic that is gained through study can never be taken because it's not in the blood. It's also easier to hide, if you happen to live in a place with a tyrannical ruler determined to capture and control all magic users.
Ooooooh. Love this!