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Magic in my world

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seekmore:
In my novel, I have three types of magic sorcery, divine, and necromancy.

Sorcery

Sorcery is the most dangerous and the most powerful of magicks. A sorcerer utilizes the energy that binds the mind, soul and body together as a catalyst to reshape creation itself. A sorcerer is limited only by his imagination and his willingness to risk his very existence.

Using his blood, the sorcerer begins a ritual of his own devising. The ritual varies for each spell. A simple chant, a complex dance, perhaps some music, whatever the sorcerer deems appropriate. He focuses his mind and slowly begins to separate his mind or soul from his body. He tears apart the bands of energy holding him together. Once separated, the sorcerer uses the freed energy to bend creation to his will. Once the process has begun, a single distraction or misstep would prove disastrous.

The ritual prevents the sorcerer's mind and/or spirit from leaving his body. If distracted, the sorcerer's soul could dissipate, leaving behind nothing but a catatonic shell. There would also be the worry of some restless spirit or Demon taking up residence in the empty body. On the other hand, if the soul remains, but the mind is shattered, the sorcerer would become less than an animal. Lashing out in rage and pain until the body runs itself to death or it is put out of its misery. If neither mind nor soul survives, the body simply wastes away.

Once the spell is complete, the sorcerer directs the energy to bind his mind, body and soul back together.

Divine magic

Divine magic is power bequeathed upon mortals by the Younger Gods in return for their devotion. The limitations of this magic are dependent upon two factors. The first is the god in question. Some gods dislike the notion of giving mortals large amounts of the own power, while others have no problem with the idea. The second is the amount of dedication and the practitioner's willingness to sacrifice to their deity.

A divine magic user is typically limited by whatever domain their deity maintains. Followers of the sea goddess, for instance, cannot use their magic far from the a large body of water. On the ocean itself, they may be able to do anything from breathing underwater to calling up storms. Followers other gods, like the god of Law, are limited by their own interpretation of their teachings and by the god himself.

Divine magic can be a bit of a double-edged sword, as every spell cast is monitored by the deity it draws from. Failure to adhere to the teachings of a god, or by misusing the power they have been given is often dealt with quick and extreme prejudice.

Divine magic users can be people of all sorts, though they usually occupy some sort of religious role. Tribal shamans, druids, and clerics  all practice this magic. It is believed that the most powerful divine magic users are monks and nuns who occupy small hermitages that dot the landscape.

Necromancy

Necromancy is magic dealing with the forces of life and death. Many believe it to be a type of divine magic. That necromancers simply draw upon the power of the gods of life and death, but the reality is much different. Necromancers draw power from within, the life around them, and from the dead.

Necromancy falls into two distinct groups. There is White Necromancy and Black Necromancy. White Necromancy deals with the progress of the natural order. It can heal and preserve, but can also kill. It also can lay the dead to rest, and purify contaminated places and objects. White Necromancy acknowledges that death is a part of life. Black Necromancy is the opposite. It seeks to pervert the true nature of life and death by prolonging life in a futile effort to achieve immortality. It enslaves the spirits of the dead, or raising the bodies of the slain and makes them into weapons to be used against the living. It can cause rot, decay, and kill.

Necromancers enjoy a hallowed, if lonely place, in most societies. Necromancers are the only people allowed to touch the dead, once the family has completed their mourning rituals. Unfortunately, many people believe death shadows necromancers, and that they should not be approached them without need of their aid.

Ecuadorian Super Termite:
You should probably rethink the names "white necromancy" and "black necromancy".  It's way too close to saying "good wizards" and "bad wizards", whether or not that's where you're going with the story.

Besides that, I don't see any problems with your magic system itself. Just remember that if magic is being used to solve narrative obstacles, your readers have to understand the nuts and bolts of it, so they can see the solution coming.

It might also help you to find a writing group, online or in person. They can help you with problems of grammar and diction and the like.

seekmore:
Yeah, my grammar and such can be atrocious.

I usually go through an excruciating self-editing process, but I haven't slept today so it didn't happen.

Those terms are simply for my own use. Characters wouldn't refer to people who used that magic as Necromancers. Black Necromancy is a perversion of nature and anyone who uses it could be considered evil.

belial.1980:
Very interesting. I like all three flavors of magic quite a bit.

Just some things to consider:

Is somebody limited to the schools of magic they're allowed to follow? Can a sorcerer also practice necromancy? Since necromancy is sometimes considered divine, could a necromancer make nice with a god and practice divine magic?

Who's allowed/able to practice magic? Are there academies, or would one learn from a tutor or be self taught? All of the above?

It sounds like you're creating a whole world, as well as a magic system, so those are just some things to consider. What you've got so far sounds great. Good luck. I'd like to hear more about your creation as it develops.

seekmore:

--- Quote from: belial.1980 on April 20, 2009, 05:28:07 AM ---Very interesting. I like all three flavors of magic quite a bit.

Just some things to consider:

Is somebody limited to the schools of magic they're allowed to follow? Can a sorcerer also practice necromancy? Since necromancy is sometimes considered divine, could a necromancer make nice with a god and practice divine magic?

Who's allowed/able to practice magic? Are there academies, or would one learn from a tutor or be self taught? All of the above?

--- End quote ---

Potentially anyone can practice divine magic provided they can attract the attention of a god. Many gods require testing or training to be undertaken.

Necromancy and Sorcery must be learned, but an aptitude for one or both can be genetically inherited.

Combining schools of magic is frowned upon, but it happens frequently enough to not shock people.

Necromancers rarely practice sorcery because of the the beliefs that are often acquired during training. The soul and mind are sacred, and to use them in such a manner shows them great disrespect. Necromancy must be taught by a practitioner. There is one small Academy  that teaches Necromancy en-masse, but it is typically learned via the traditional Master/apprentice route.

It's fairly common for sorcerers to dabble in Necromancy for the versatility, but a people who are strong in both are exceedingly rare. Sorcery can be self-taught if one finds the resources that detail creating rituals, and occasionally a Sorcerer will pick up an apprentice.

Divine magic, on the other hand, is kind of a come one, come all. As long as you stay on the good side of your sworn deity, you can pretty much do as you please, magically speaking.


--- Quote from: belial.1980 on April 20, 2009, 05:28:07 AM ---It sounds like you're creating a whole world, as well as a magic system, so those are just some things to consider. What you've got so far sounds great. Good luck. I'd like to hear more about your creation as it develops.

--- End quote ---

I am, actually. It's quite difficult.

I have a few things and plan on sharing them later this week once I can get back to my own computer.

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