A D&D style idea

[fire_elf20]

Hey everyone!
This is my first post on here, though I have been reading others posts for some time now. I stumbled across this site while trying to hash out some ideas for my own book(still no done hashing).
I've read the threads on anything to deal with magic ect... and many others.
I think my system for magic in my book is almost ready but any new ideas would be welcome.
my book is a very D&D set book I myself am an avid player of D&D so many of my characters are based either on Characters I have used in the game or Characters our DM used and gave me permission to use.

like i mentioned my magic system seems to be the weak point of my book so far so I am still looking for fresh ideas that will help me does anybody have anything to offer?

[Leo Medici]

How about a fantasy novel without magic? Now THAT's fresh.

[fire_elf20]

an idea that is worth filing away I'm sure. for my current book though I am using a D&D style world created by my DM with help from us gamers and magic is a part that world but in the game we never have set down the rules for magic and to my mind game magic and magic in books tends to differ by necessity

[Leo Medici]

Hm... Well you say that your magic system is the weak point. Is this because you don't know at all what your magic system is or that the magic system you have invented itself is weak? If the latter, would you be willing to explain the system you do have to possibly give us (especially non D&Ders) a better idea? Perhaps you already have a great magic system and you just don't know it yet.

[Peter Graham]

Hello Fire Elf,

I'd be jolly careful if I were you. What makes for a good RPG session doesn't necessarily make for a good book. When looked at from a distance, many RPG's (and I remember the glossy, pre-written modules from my dim and distant youth) are little more than "open the door, kill the monster, pick up the treasure" on a perpetual loop. Most take place in highly unconvincing settings - generally huge and inexplicable "dungeon" complexes in which thirty goblins live out their existence in one room with a huge Hippogriff living in the room next door and then some vampires on the floor beneath - like some sink estate for mythological creatures. Supporting characters are usually bland stereotypes - the plucky tomboy princess, the dimwitted locals, the jolly innkeeper and the obligatory Agent of Evil.

By all means use material from your gaming sessions, but remember that D&D is much more fun to play than to watch. Your readers are the watchers! You must make it fun for them aswell.

Best of luck,

Peter

[iansales]

Also, don't forget that RPGs like D&D have plundered every cliche imaginable to populate their worlds. Readers of fantasy novels expect something more original.

[fire_elf20]

dont worry about it being to D&D in the book I dont use everything from the game I just have some of the basic points that my DM made for his world. I have created my map have lists miles long detailing towns and various places. I think i know what to avoid doing in my books (lets hope i do anyway) i take alot of notes when i read. i think iv read every book in the forgotten realms and the wheel of time ect ect. ...
anyway my magic as it stands now.
first there are healers that draw power from the twin creating Gods.
second there are those who practice "dark" magic (for want of another word right now) though it does not make them evil if they do and they draw power from the spirts of the dead and practice an art much akin to necromancy. however where i fall flat is the bulk of magic wich has to work for various users wizards, sorcerers and other various spell casters so i need a system that works for all the differences in them are as follows.
wizards- ussualy prepair spells in advance and use various items to complete the spells. ie. a branch and a stone to cast.
sorcerers- can direct magic at will with an inate ability that bypasses the need to use items to cast
those are the main differences the other types of casters use items or fall into either of the other catagories some how to in depth to type it all out now. anyway thanks for the responce so far.

[fire_elf20]

ok after discussing things with a friend of mine here is my slightly rehashed version of magic:
for healers the power is granted by the twin creating Gods.
there are those who practice "dark" magic (for want of another word right now) though it does not make them evil if they do and they draw power from the spirts of the dead and practice an art much akin to necromancy.

and now
limitations:
physical,
mental fatigue
over use can cause:
physical burning/ for main character..
some time of physical side effect depending on the caster

each user feels the power differently
casters will know when other casters are present and or casting
and what kind of affinity they have to the power.



for main character.
source of magic like an ocean of fire
all people in area can feel a heat like effect near him.
when he is casting.
warm to the touch while casting
like drawing heat from fire.

[Interference]

Where does magic come from? Is it finitely distributed? What if it runs out?

Don't know if this is in any way relevant to you, D&D not my genre, but fictional magic is very unlike Magick, where the rules are very often governed by balance and intent, where potency comes from the expression of conscious and unconscious desire.

I think I've strayed off-topic...

[fire_elf20]

not off topic at all actualy you bring up some good points, I will have to think about them..