Science and Magic

[Icyphoenix]

That's exactly the same as me! I change the source and use of that energy/force but the general idea is the same.

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

That's still not to say that all of my universe's magic is the same. Emotions play a part, and each different style has to be trained. And as it's essentially thinking and willpower, it's draining, and can be to the point of death. Generic, I know, but it works.


Alchemy is the exception. Alchemy is alchemy. As a twist, though, I have blended alchemy with our modern day genetic engineering.

[Icyphoenix]

Sounds interesting, I don't think I've ever considered genetic with alchemy before. I've written genetic with blood magic and chemistry with potions though, those work quite well for me. The only alchemy i've written is more like magical technology.

[planetocean]

SCIENCE AND MAGIC I think can mean different things, for one science can prove or disprove certain things, whereas magic is just out their.

[mohk]

Unexplained magic is one of my very few points of iritation with fantasy novels.

If the one performing the magic knows as little of how it works as the reader (eg. Sword of Truth), that's not so bad, but when there's a competent wizard/alternative that is magic savvy and there's not explanation of the limitations of their ability, their sudden all-powerful spell that overcomes their greatest adversary in the worst conditions is meaningless.

Take the Bridge of Khazad-dûm as an example. If Gandalf can prevent passage of the Balrog by stabbing the floor and shouting "you shall not pass", why not do that right at the start? And why not use it at the doors of the tomb to prevent that whole fight anyway? (I'm aware of the ENORMOUS wealth of background information of LotR, of which I'm mostly ignorant, so this might be a bad example. Similar situations in countless other books though.)

I like the capabilities and limitations of magic to be explained. I think magic is most effective in stories when it is scientifically possible if you excuse one or two fundamental points that render it utterly impossible in our real world.

Take the Mistborn Trilogy. The basic powers adhere to rudimentary physics, with the exception of becoming an electromagnet upon the consumption of a specific metal.

Coming up with an original system also scores brownie points, rather than going with the age-old, and frankly poor good magic vs bad magic. "Any sufficiently advanced technology may appear as magic"... sure. That's a great thought and I love it, but technology is a tool. It is not inherently good or evil. Magic should be the same.

If the reader has an idea how the protagonist's magic is limited, the peril seems more real. They can't just pluck an almighty spell out of no-where.

[goldhawk]

Magic is a phenomenon that people can't explain. Entanglement is magic; black holes are magic; where your sock goes when the dryer eats it is magic.