May 27, 2017
Questions to Ask When Creating Magical Worlds
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I am a total lover of fantasy. There are so many takes on it, from the more hard-core, almost 'traditional' fantasy, to the weird and wonderful. Some love it for great adventures or crazy animals. Personally, I adore it because of the world-building, and how I can craft entire worlds to my liking.
In today's post I've compiled a list of questions I ask myself when creating worlds with magic in them; hope you find them helpful!
1) Who has magic? What terminology is used to refer to them (eg. magician, wizard, witch)?
2) Are magical powers gained, are people born with them, or can it be both? If gained, how so? If they are born with them, is it passed down through their bloodline or something else?
3) Where does magic come from? (eg. the world, an object, within the magician)
4) How are magicians viewed by those without magic? Are they hated? Feared? Revered? And how do magicians view those without?
5) Are there any religious groups against magic? Why or why not?
6) Does magic play a part in the political system, or is it completely separate? If separate, are there any policies in place to enforce rules regarding magic use? What is the magical community's response to this?
7) What kind of form does magic take? Is it visible?
8) What effect does magic have on the magician? Are there immediate effects or do they apply gradually over time?
9) Are there any places of education where those with magic are trained? If so, are they being trained for careers in the future, or are their powers being purposefully subdued?
10) What are the limits/rules of magic? What can it do, and not do?
11) Are there different levels of skill magicians can fall under? Can they move between levels? Are there different kinds with different powers?
12) Do certain locations within the world give a magician more power than others? Are there places that magic cannot touch or be used in?
13) Do magicians have a code of behavior between them? What does it entail? Have/do any magicians refuse to follow this code?
14) Why is magic a part of the world? Was it given by a god, or has it been around since the beginning of time, etc? What is its history?
15) Do any other people groups or species have magic? How is it different or similar?
16) Are there any decorative identifiers of those with magic? (eg. robes, pins, a certain tattoo)
17) How does magic influence wars and conflict? Are magicians brought in to fight, or to bring peace?
In today's post I've compiled a list of questions I ask myself when creating worlds with magic in them; hope you find them helpful!
1) Who has magic? What terminology is used to refer to them (eg. magician, wizard, witch)?
2) Are magical powers gained, are people born with them, or can it be both? If gained, how so? If they are born with them, is it passed down through their bloodline or something else?
3) Where does magic come from? (eg. the world, an object, within the magician)
4) How are magicians viewed by those without magic? Are they hated? Feared? Revered? And how do magicians view those without?
5) Are there any religious groups against magic? Why or why not?
6) Does magic play a part in the political system, or is it completely separate? If separate, are there any policies in place to enforce rules regarding magic use? What is the magical community's response to this?
7) What kind of form does magic take? Is it visible?
8) What effect does magic have on the magician? Are there immediate effects or do they apply gradually over time?
9) Are there any places of education where those with magic are trained? If so, are they being trained for careers in the future, or are their powers being purposefully subdued?
10) What are the limits/rules of magic? What can it do, and not do?
11) Are there different levels of skill magicians can fall under? Can they move between levels? Are there different kinds with different powers?
12) Do certain locations within the world give a magician more power than others? Are there places that magic cannot touch or be used in?
13) Do magicians have a code of behavior between them? What does it entail? Have/do any magicians refuse to follow this code?
14) Why is magic a part of the world? Was it given by a god, or has it been around since the beginning of time, etc? What is its history?
15) Do any other people groups or species have magic? How is it different or similar?
16) Are there any decorative identifiers of those with magic? (eg. robes, pins, a certain tattoo)
17) How does magic influence wars and conflict? Are magicians brought in to fight, or to bring peace?
Do you have any questions to add to my list? How do you develop the magical presence in your world? What magical power do you wish you had? Are you a great lover of fantasy like me?
Let me know in the comments below, and have a magical day! <3