#fantasy and sci fi

[writing-to-survive]

#229

"Your fate is written in stone."

"Then I'll break that stone."

[faelorelia]

“Why do you like fantasy and science fiction so much? They’re not realistic.” – Exactly! That’s what I love about them.

[applejee]

i gotta read more books. i gotta. i gotta. i need VARIETY <- ignoring all the books i already have i need to read

[a-noone]

It's so hard to say what is and isn't magic, because people keep moving the mark, right? As soon as something is proven, it's not magic anymore.

The hypothesis is that thought is a tool which can directly impact reality. Therefore, magic is the act of using thought to directly impact reality.

We can discuss magic and free will as related, if not identical, things. You can choose to lift your arm, or put it down. You can do that whenever you like. This is a manifestation of your agency. Now imagine if a cup on your table was just as easily moved by your mind. Bigger agency, right?

Magic is directing reality in conformity with will. Magic, if it exists, is a manifestation of personal agency. Ghosts (if they exist) are magical because that is a human mind, sans body, making changes in reality.

Arcane diagrams in ritual are not, by themselves, magical. Rather, they serve to help the magician hold more things in their mind at once. Unless you know what all the symbols mean, and unless they are culturally meaningful to you, there is no power for you in them.

And the reason it matters? If your soul can move the material world, then your soul is real. You get spiritual immortality without having to get on your knees for some religious authority.

While indisputably awesome, and arguably similar to magic in terms of aesthetic, physics only crosses over into magic when it is discussing how thought, observation, and mental phenomena impact the natural reality it describes.

[barrbodiedberry]

Beach combing by Mia Incantalupo

[prokopetz]

The real difference between fantasy and science fiction is that if you have too many belts, you're fantasy, and if you have too many zippers, you're science fiction. If you have too many of both, you split the difference and land in a contemporary technothriller where everybody is secretly a vampire.

[dillusion-art]

[...] Why are you not appeased? That is how meat loves meat.

ig: d.ill.usion

[ex0skeletal-undead]

Xenomorph in wonderland by Mark Skelton

[alatarielqueen]

[nn-ee-zz]

Two of Cups; harmony and union

Second time trying sci-fi art, be extra nice to me

[nemfrog]

A sky with a thousand suns.

Die Welt in hundert Jahren. 1910.

Internet Archive

[victusinveritas]

RIP Greg Hildebrandt

[izzylimon]

Guillermo del Toro on AI

[theplotmage]

Principles and Laws of Magic for Fantasy Writers

Fundamental Laws

1. Law of Conservation of Magic- Magic cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

3. Law of Equivalent Exchange- To gain something, an equal value must be given.

5. Law of Magical Exhaustion- Using magic drains the user’s energy or life force.

Interaction and Interference

4. Law of Magical Interference- Magic can interfere with other magical effects.

6. Law of Magical Contamination- Magic can have unintended side effects.

8. Law of Magical Inertia- Magical effects continue until stopped by an equal or greater force.

Resonance and Conditions

7. Law of Magical Resonance- Magic resonates with certain materials, places, or times.

9. Law of Magical Secrecy- Magic must be kept secret from the non-magical world.

11. Law of Magical Hierarchy- Different types of magic have different levels of power and difficulty.

Balance and Consequences

10. Law of Magical Balance- Every positive magical effect has a negative consequence.

12. Law of Magical Limitation- Magic has limits and cannot solve every problem.

14. Law of Magical Rebound- Misused magic can backfire on the user.

Special Conditions

13. Law of Magical Conduits- Certain objects or beings can channel magic more effectively.

15. Law of Magical Cycles- Magic may be stronger or weaker depending on cycles (e.g., lunar phases).

17. Law of Magical Awareness- Some beings are more attuned to magic and can sense its presence.

Ethical and Moral Laws

16. Law of Magical Ethics- Magic should be used responsibly and ethically.

18. Law of Magical Consent- Magic should not be used on others without their consent.

20. Law of Magical Oaths- Magical promises or oaths are binding and have severe consequences if broken.

Advanced and Rare Laws

19. Law of Magical Evolution- Magic can evolve and change over time.

20. Law of Magical Singularities- Unique, one-of-a-kind magical phenomena exist and are unpredictable.

Unique and Imaginative Magical Laws

- Law of Temporal Magic- Magic can manipulate time, but with severe consequences. Altering the past can create paradoxes, and using time magic ages the caster rapidly.

- Law of Emotional Resonance- Magic is amplified or diminished by the caster’s emotions. Strong emotions like love or anger can make spells more powerful but harder to control.

- Law of Elemental Harmony- Magic is tied to natural elements (fire, water, earth, air). Using one element excessively can disrupt the balance and cause natural disasters.

- Law of Dream Magic- Magic can be accessed through dreams. Dreamwalkers can enter others’ dreams, but they risk getting trapped in the dream world.

- Law of Ancestral Magic- Magic is inherited through bloodlines. The strength and type of magic depend on the caster’s ancestry, and ancient family feuds can influence magical abilities.

- Law of Symbiotic Magic- Magic requires a symbiotic relationship with magical creatures. The caster and creature share power, but harming one affects the other.

- Law of Forgotten Magic- Ancient spells and rituals are lost to time. Discovering and using forgotten magic can yield great power but also unknown dangers.

- Law of Magical Echoes- Spells leave behind echoes that can be sensed or traced. Powerful spells create stronger echoes that linger longer.

- Law of Arcane Geometry- Magic follows geometric patterns. Spells must be cast within specific shapes or alignments to work correctly.

- Law of Celestial Magic- Magic is influenced by celestial bodies. Spells are stronger during certain astronomical events like eclipses or planetary alignments.

- Law of Sentient Magic- Magic has a will of its own. It can choose to aid or hinder the caster based on its own mysterious motives.

- Law of Shadow Magic- Magic can manipulate shadows and darkness. Shadowcasters can travel through shadows but are vulnerable to light.

- Law of Sympathetic Magic- Magic works through connections. A spell cast on a representation of a person (like a doll or portrait) affects the actual person.

- Law of Magical Artifacts- Certain objects hold immense magical power. These artifacts can only be used by those deemed worthy or who possess specific traits.

- Law of Arcane Paradoxes- Some spells create paradoxes that defy logic. These paradoxes can have unpredictable and often dangerous outcomes.

- Law of Elemental Fusion- Combining different elemental magics creates new, hybrid spells with unique properties and effects.

- Law of Ethereal Magic- Magic can interact with the spirit world. Ethereal mages can communicate with spirits, but prolonged contact can blur the line between life and death.

- Law of Arcane Symbiosis- Magic can bond with technology, creating magical machines or enchanted devices with extraordinary capabilities.

- Law of Dimensional Magic- Magic can open portals to other dimensions. Dimensional travelers can explore alternate realities but risk getting lost or encountering hostile beings.

- Law of Arcane Sacrifice- Powerful spells require a sacrifice, such as a cherished memory, a personal item, or even a part of the caster’s soul.

[idrawr16yt]