magic system
Enchantment's governing logic
A magic system is the set of rules governing how supernatural powers work in a fictional world—what magic can do, what it costs, who can use it, and what limits apply.
Fantasy writers distinguish between "hard" magic systems with explicit, consistent rules like Sanderson's Allomancy and "soft" systems that remain mysterious like Tolkien's.
The term comes from fantasy literature and gaming, where well-defined magic systems help readers accept the impossible by making it internally logical.
- spellcastingPerforming magical incantations
- manaSupernatural indwelling power
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- true nameAuthentic personal identifier
- ley linesAlleged mystical landscape alignments
divination · binding · grimoire · necromancy · talisman · geomancy · wizard · alchemist · wand · ritual · druid · sorcerer · mage · lore · energy flow · staff · evocation · sigils
- fantasy fictionepic fantasy, high fantasy, low fantasy, dark fantasy, urban fantasy
- franchisesfranchise, Star Wars, franchising, franchises, franchisor
- combat mechanicsmelee, melee attack, ranged attack, damage, combos
- LARPgarb, NPC, NPCs, player character, player characters
- speculative fictionsci-fi, science fiction, dystopia, fantasy, futurism
- strategy gameschess, strategy, checkers, go, Go
magic systemnatural law
Inherent moral principles
physics · scientific principles · physical laws · deus ex machina · natural philosophy
magic systemwonder
Amazement or curiosity
mystery · miracle · divine intervention · primal force · instinct
magic systemrealistic fiction
Invented yet plausible storytelling
hard science fiction · literary realism · contemporary fiction