TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Magic. Exploring a system...

Go To

AtomJames I need a drink Since: Apr, 2010
I need a drink
#1: Mar 18th 2011 at 3:13:03 AM

Or perhaps I should say an Idea.

Imagination is power. Tempered with Will and Understanding, it can be used to change and recreate reality through an individual's own creativity. This is Magic. It is the act of creating Something out of Nothing, or breaking it down back into the ether Nothingness.

“Creation and Destruction. In our line of work, they’re interchangeable love.”

If Imagination is power, then it should only stand to reason that Creativity is the catalyst, the spark that allows one to access Magic. It should then come to no surprise that most Magicians (or Mystics, Wizards, or Witches, whichever you prefer really) are of a creative bent; they are writers, actors, musicians, dancers and actors. In short, it is through the creative process, where an individual’s enthusiasm and imagination truly takes hold, that they discover Magic.

“So, how exactly did you learn about magic and all this mumbo jumbo stuff?”, “Well, I was working for this erotica publishing house in Whitechapel at the time...”

Just as there is no such thing as two identical artists, every Magician is a unique individual who works their Magic in their own style. A Magician’s style is a combination of many factors; Influences, Personal History, Interests, Occupation etc. In order to demonstrate how varied styles can be, we will focus on two Magicians:

  • Adam. A Writer from 1960’s London. Believing himself a Writer first and a Magician second, Adam filters his Imagination through his chosen tool: the written word. Understanding the power of metaphor and wordplay, Adam’s style uses prose and poetry in order to its effects, like summoning a horde of butterflies from by likening their lifecycle to epiphanies. It was in his late teens that Adam also gained an interest in the occult, particularly in the magic traditions of West like Kabbalah or Hermetic Magic.
As a result, he peppers his own style with elements from these traditions, using “spells” and sigils as alternatives to his own writing. Finally as the quintessential Englishman, Adam’s own imagination is filled imagery and folklore from his native land.

  • Joanne. A Japanese-American Musician. Joanne understands the effect music or sound can have upon the imagination, thus it’s no surprise that Joanne’s preferred method to work magic involves music or sound, either from an iPod or through her own instruments. A big fan of Anime and Manga, Joanna often finds her imagination straying to these, a notable example being when she created an enchanted mecha suit in order to fly.

“Why not just turn yourself into some high pitched sailor girl?”, “I did that once!”

Even Magicians have their weaknesses. Since their very power relies on their imagination and creativity, Magicians can find themselves facing a number of obstacles: Young, inexperienced Magicians find themselves losing focus and creating half real effects that never last long, while older ones find themselves in what could be described as art blocks. Magicians also find themselves at odds with the world around them. It’s all well and good if you can summon a dragon, but it’s another thing entirely to summon said dragon in the middle of a gun fight. Only the most quick-witted Magicians are of any real use in battle.

“We need something here quick!”, “I’m trying! I’m trying! Think of troll! Think of a troll!”

Thats all I could get out of my head right now, but more will come! Tell me what you guys think!

Theres sex and death and human grime in monochrome for one thin dime and at least the trains all run on time but they dont go anywhere.
Theram A travelling scholar Since: Jan, 2011
A travelling scholar
#2: Mar 18th 2011 at 4:40:32 AM

Chaosmagic is this in a RL semi-religious setting. It could work. /too distracted to be of much help at the moment.

edited 18th Mar '11 4:40:58 AM by Theram

Add Post

Total posts: 2
Top