this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2026
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Worldbuilding

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I've always had an odd relationship with "hard" magic systems, that is systems that seem to be... well systematic, stuff you could analyze and explain almost like a hard science.

On the one hand, as a creator it's really fun to think of different rules and how those rules interact or how they can be worked around and manipulated.

On the other hand, as a consumer of media I never liked overly explained magic systems because they cease to feel magical. I like the feeling of unknowability about magic as a concept, like we're chimps setting off a nuclear explosion. We see it, we feel its effects, but nothing on earth could make us understand how or why it is what it is because it involves forces far beyond our ken.

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[–] rockSlayer@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 month ago

I really like how Eragon does it: magic is a manifestation of the wielder's willpower and strength. If you overexert, you can pass out or die. However, gemstones are capable of storing mana for later use, and your capability with magic can be improved with training.