Magic

From KneeQuickie

Magic is a general term for the various supernatural or spiritual forces in fiction usually set in contrast with natural or physical law. It is one of the main elements distinguishing fantasy as a genre and probably its main hallmark. A great many conworlds feature some form of magic due to their affinity for the fantasy genre and the influence of Tolkien on conworlding.

Mechanics of magic

In a given conworld, magic typically follows a series of rules that define how it may be used, how one uses it, and so forth. These rules may follow intuitive or logical patterns or they may be seemingly arbitrary or esoteric, but in any case they are almost always present in some fashion, even if the conworlder doesn't consciously work them out. A magical system without any rules or limitations has no way of providing structure for the creator or reader and risks becoming a deus ex machina or an unending handwave (in other words a wizard did it).

Conworlders have often tended toward a "scientific" or technical approach to magic due to their modern, rationalist background, treating it as an alternate form of physics or technology. Mark Rosenfelder, among others, advises against this, however, and recommends looking for ways to make a magical system unreliable or non-mechanistic.

Magical systems are usually characterized by a spiritual or metaphysical dimension.

Comparison with conphysics

Arthur C. Clarke once famously noted that "All sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic". In many cases conphysics and technology based on it may lead to effects that resemble magic, such as the replicators of Star Trek which can create material objects out of pure energy. Often it may be a matter of debate whether to classify something as magic or just an odd product of fictional physics. One distinguishing factor is the spiritual aspect: a replicator, no matter how powerful, is still considered merely a piece of technology, but a magical spell to conjure an item has an air of the sacred or supernatural.

In some worlds magic coexists with more ordinary physics in some fashion. The Star Wars universe features fairly typical SF notions of hyperspace, energy weapons, and so forth, but also includes the mystical Force.

Notable systems

• "The Serving of Powers" in Almea

• Tolkien

• Wizardry in Harry Potter

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