Why Your Magic System Doesn’t Feel Magical

Explore the art of magical storytelling with nine transformative principles designed to enhance your fantasy writing and magic systems.
Mistakes New Fantasy Writers Make Playlist: • Mistakes New Fantasy W...
Worldbuilding Fundamentals Playlist: • Worldbuilding Fundamen...
Storytelling & Fantasy Writing Playlist: • Storytelling & Fantasy...
00:00 Magical Principles
00:33 Principle 1
03:31 Principle 2
06:00 Principle 3
08:56 Principle 4
12:36 Principle 5
15:02 Principle 6
17:37 Principle 7
20:33 Principle 8
22:53 Principle 9

[@Formscapes]

I think this is all pretty solid advice, but one thing that I think is missing here is consideration of how magic is believed to actually operate within folklore, shamanic practices, ritual magic, theurgy, etc... We naturally tend to find magic more compelling when it operates in a manner that feels "right" to our unconscious expectations which have been shaped by tens of thousands of years of real human beings actually believing in real magic, engaging in magical practices, and - as such - inhabiting a legitimately magical Umwelt. Magic does indeed have "rules", but those rules are absolutely nothing like the rules of physics, technological artifice or (the vast majority of) game-systems. They are fluid in a manner that requires fluid, artistic thinking.

[@majesticgothitelle1802]

I feel that fantasy magic tries to make it feel god-like, mysterious, op, no weakness, free flowing and can do anything. While cultures, historical and folklore magic was pretty grounded. Norse has its own magic category and practice like gandr people who use magic items practitioner. Thul would be word magic or arcane practitioner in fantasy. Hahvanda is illusion magic. Hamfarir/hameammr transformation magic practitioner. Vitkar is rune magic practitioner. Framatnn is sight and vision magic practitioner. Landvaettir are nature magic practitioner. Onmyouji are summoner magic practitioner, Reiki use of mystical gems, wiccan use ingredients and herbal magic, daoshi use paper charm for magic. Then there are certain metals that are immune or resistant to magic and magical and supernatural creatures. I feel that magic feels more interesting if there are rules, restrictions, limitations that lead the people to crafty and creative to solve problems.

[@ardidsonriente2223]

There is the psichological concept of "magical thinking", which explains pretty well the mystical traditions in the world, everyday superstition, and why some types of magic in fiction feel more "authentic" than others for most people. Google it, there are a cuple of very good books on the matter, and the resource for fiction writers is really valuable.

[@GnarledStaff]

@@majesticgothitelle1802 Look up Sanderson’s rules of magic/worldbuilding. Limitations are extremely important for a magic system.

[@shawnnbits]

Word dog

[@nyarparablepsis872]

This is also very solid advice for GMs who wish to reskin an existing magic system.

[@jannetteberends8730]

I read the books of Terry Pratchett. Magic is always different from what you expect it to be. Like in his first book about a wizard that cant do the usual wizard stuff. His real magic is that he handles to stay alive. Just like Jack Reacher.

[@iweberhed]

Please keep making videos, such unbelievably high effort. I love writing content and you make great stuff, keep going!

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

Thank you for the kind words - really glad to hear that there was something interesting for you to find in the video :)

[@mikko272]

my fell for magic that it is a gateway to spaces in ourselves that we don`t quit casp.

[@Dragonmoon8526]

Wonderful breakdown, as usual. I do have to ask, how can you approach a balance of magical discourse, but still make its use valid? I understand the necessity for survival or saving a life trope. But, I mean just in general. If all magic use comes with a price, how do you measure that price with actual benefit? Why use magic if the result is self-inflicted pain or harm to the world and people around you. If that were the case it would create quite the witch hunt and those who were found to have power would be immediately killed or cast out. I feel I'm not explaining this well, but it just seemed that each of the options offered a way to expand on the impact magic can have on the caster, the people around them, and the world. But, it just seemed that the consequences outweighed the benefits. To the point, it may make the reader question why anyone used magic at all if it just caused more problems than fixed.

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

Great question! Balancing the costs and benefits of magic is definitely a delicate task, but it's also what makes a magic system compelling and believable - in my humble opinion. It's essential to recognize that adding impact and consequences to magic doesn't always mean negative outcomes. Impact can also bring about positive growth and rewarding experiences for the caster and those around them. For instance, a mage who uses a powerful spell to save a village might gain not only the villagers' gratitude but also newfound respect and a deeper understanding of their own abilities. In terms of the more significant, high-stakes magic, you can balance the cost by showcasing the undeniable benefits that outweigh the negatives. When magic is used to achieve something extraordinary-such as saving a loved one, defeating a great evil, or bringing peace to a troubled land-the positive outcomes can justify the costs. These moments remind readers why magic is worth the price, emphasizing its value and necessity. And the Principle of Escapism is specifically added at the end to remind that magic - at the heart of it - should transport readers to magical and wonderful places :)

[@Dragonmoon8526]

@@TheTaleTinkerer Ah, understood. Thanks for clarifying.

[@elementeight8]

Great channel. I appreciate your insights.

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

Oh, thank you so much :) I'm really glad to hear that there is something useful for you to be found in the videos. Many more to come from here :)

[@rixdespo9144]

From the very first example you gave with Ilana I already have a good idea what you mean. Honestly as someone who loves analyzing and trying to delve deep into media I consume I've already picked up on how works that really hit hard seamlessly weave in the themes and messages of their story with the greater plot but I've always been completely stumped on how to do it myself. It really helped to have such a simple example such as "Ilana's mentor's death affected her greatly and her journey of coping with loss (theme) reflects in how steps made in that internal journey has physical payoffs (success with magic) within the story. Great video!

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

Thank you - really glad to hear that the video was able to help you in any way :)

[@motorcitymangababe]

Im excited to watch this as soon as you said phycology cause the magic system im struggling with is one that is based in the mind and has a high risk/ reward involved, especially when it is mixed in unexpected ways

[@TheVonWeasel]

As an addendum, a lot of this advice can be summed up as "what are the limitations". Often times it's a lot more interesting what the cost of an action is rather than its end result. As an author you are the "god" of the world. You can literally do anything, which means its not very interesting if your MC can fly. But if she can only fly on Tuesdays after eating her least favorite food (pickled eggs), then the wheels in the reader's minds start turning. It presents a problem and the mind loves to solve problems.

[@greenguy369]

I would immediately put that book down and never engage with that pickle-flight author again, personally. But to each their own.

[@dr.jekyll5234]

Priceless video.

[@AyameAkito]

This advice is great but they only work if the magic system in question is impacted at all by human emotions, if for example, Magic is a force alien to the universe and all living beings that is both dangerous and unpredictable even when the user is perfectly calm and focused then what good is any of this advice if you are trying to write magic as something that can't be related to?

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

Glad you enjoyed the advice in general! You bring up an interesting point though. If your magic system is truly alien and detached from human emotions, consider tweaking the principles to fit that unique context. For instance, you could focus on how characters interact with this unpredictable force or explore the broader impact on society and the environment. The key is to make the magic compelling and relevant, even if it's not relatable in the traditional sense. Not all principles in this video need to be treated equally either (it's almost impossible really). You could for example lean a lot more heavily into the principles of mystery and escapism, tweaking or ignoring the others that require some form of relatibility to make sense.

[@racheltheradiant4675]

Question: Are you the Time Tinkerer or the Tale Tinkerer? Because I've seen both on the channel. Great video. Thank you for the advice and thought provoking prompts. 😊

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

I've just renamed myself :) Initially I had in mind to also feature alternate history videos on the channel, so "Time Tinkerer" was very fitting but the channel has become so heavily storytelling focused (with worldbuilding and fantasy writing as core pillars) that I felt "The Tale Tinkerer" was more fitting going forward now that I'm going all-in on my creative projects :)

[@nafg115]

One for KZbin

[@greatjakob9382]

That's a really cool alliance flag in the background, can I ask where you got it?

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

I bought this a decade or so ago, so unfortunately don't remember where :) But when I google "World of Warcraft Alliance Banner" I find several shops offering it, so I'm sure you can find it still somewhere :)

[@subhadramahanta452]

❤❤❤

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

Find even more videos to transform your storytelling and fantasy writing here: kzbin.info/aero/PLDpOcpMPZP3D-KapKbtwA5mjPlEon9rad

[@sirothtakanashi9707]

This was powerful, i've seen many magic system videos that help make the magic feel more real, this one was the most helpful. Very accurate and my magic system will be so much more interesting. Thanks! Subbed and liked.

[@HungryEyes-sl3mu]

First time on your channel and you presented a number of interesting principles about how to make a magic system more impactful on the reader, but were you using AI regurgitated images throughout your discussion (I didn't see any artists credited for the images)? I don't understand how writers can be up in arms over ChatGPT taking their jobs then turn around and use something like Daly 2.0 or Midjourney without any thought to artists who are getting pushed out of their field.

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

The images are created with Midjourney, yes. I'm personally not "up in arms" about AI as a writer either though. I remain open and curious to the changes we're living through now. I also don't see AI replace either artists/writers fully any time soon, because experts embracing the technology will always get results that beginners (or AI without human guidance) won't be able to reach (at least any time soon).

[@catthatlikesbread]

​@@TheTaleTinkerer I see your point, as a digital artist. I also use ChatGPT to fill in the gaps when it comes to creative writing. Brainstorming, world building, character ideas, any type of suggestions really and formulations even. It can spit out entire coherent magic systems that are interesting and differ from the mainstream. It can produce you fantasy towns, people, races, traditions and the matching plot ideas with detailed arcs out of thin air. We creatives need to get with the times 😋

[@inkchariot6147]

Hunter X Hunter has the best magic system, it's called Nen, and it's EXTREMELY versatile. There's six categories of Nen that one is either born with, or can develop; Enhancement, Manipulation, Conjuration, Emission, Transmutation and Specialization. When someone creates a Nen ability, they first have to create a restriction. The tighter the restriction, the stronger the ability. For example: Kurapika, a character in the series, has an ability relating to chains. The Dousing Chain is one of his abilities, it can restrain anyone and is unbreakable, but it comes with a price. If he uses the ability on anyone other than a select group of people he created it for, a blade will be plunged into his heart and will kill him. I highly recommend you look into it.

[@TheTaleTinkerer]

Thank you, appreciate the tip. Will definitely go on my long, long list of things to check out :)

[@jessholtzapple1811]

I'm curious as to why magic needs cost and consequences. We dont demand that of people or tech in our stories when they're able to do amazing things, but if magic specifically, even if limited, doesn't have costs and consequences, then it's seen as poorly made. It's almost like we need to punish people who can use magic for being able to 'cheat' to do things we ourselves in reality can't do.

[@electrolyteblend]

All power has a cost. You could do it however you want. It seems like it more interesting if the cost is directly tied to the character though

[@Battleguild]

Some people would believe that warping the fabric of reality with magic, causes reality to equally push back against the caster. A consequence or cost of the profession. Sometimes this results in a shorter lifespan, physical or even mental mutations, and/or the caster may only have a set "currency" to spend on magic in their entire lifetime. These settings usually have ways to offset these downsides, such as pushing the brunt of the effects onto others or utilizing magical equipment to be broken instead. A Magic system I've been working on only requires the practitioner to expend mana for their magic, a resource pool that can be increased through experience and training or consuming magical cores of other practitioners as a shortcut. Though said magic in practice is always amorphous and basic until they make the efforts to give it a new form. An example of this effort would be to use an Arrow as an Anchor, this in turn gives the spell the properties of an Arrow. The practitioner could then modify its Mass to be more like a Ballista Bolt or split the spell into multiple parts to create a Volley. It's intended to be a very versatile and customizable system that has both strengths/weaknesses and has consistent set mana costs.

[@ardidsonriente2223]

Literally the core idea of "Inside out".