The Power
From Lost Realm
It's always seemed to me that most games and books don't define magic too well; people can toss fireballs why? because they can, evidently. For the average peasant that's good enough, but I wanted some amount of logic behind my magic system. Here's basically how I envision magic in the Lost Realm.
First, "Magic" is a word used to describe the inexplicable, to label the impossible. The term "magic" must therefore be incorrect in a logical system. So we need a new word for the more educated. I'm up for name suggestions--probably Tsir in origin--but for now I shall refer to "magic" as "Power."
Before I continue, I should discuss death and the Five Aspects of Self. The learned of the Lost Realm, have divided being into five different aspects: Mind, Body, Soul, Spirit, and Fate. Of the five, Fate is the most controversial and will not be discussed here. Mind maintains concious thought and knowledge. Body is simply the physical aspect. Soul and Spirit are the most similar and difficult to define. Spirit represents your deepest desires and drives, feelings you have no control over and the like. Soul is the life force, the power that keeps us going. When a person dies, Mind is lost, Body deteriorates, and, assumably, Fate is completed. The Soul returns to the "Hall of Souls," of which little is known and much discussed, but it supposedly does exist. The Spirit, however, lingers. It is the Spirit that fuels the Power.
As there are infinite combinations in desires of the spirit, there are infinite types of Power. Over time, however, most spirits tend to drift into one of several divisions. Each division tends to reflect the personalities of its contributors; fiery power from short-tempered maniacs...powers of peace from meditative monks...each of the divisions will need a name. To make use of a form of Power, one must gain its favor. Not only should they match temperamently, but the Power must also be impressed; after all, it can be used up over time and it wants to devoted towards its cause as much as possible. When one who is favored dies, their spirit contributes more towards their Power. Thus the cycle continues.
This system is not dependent on a personal magic reserve--it will be taxing on one's stamina, however. Players draw power out of their very surroundings. Power in that area can be exhausted (this will probably be done by map), but it will replenish over time as each form spreads itself out. Some areas could contain larger amounts of a certain form and less of others, or, as the Hall of Souls, be completely shielded from the Power...
