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As explained in this note on the widespread use of magic, magic is prevalent in the Known World, and generations of magic scholars have compiled their observations to create the Magic Codex, a functioning taxonomy of magic.
This post corresponds with Magic Codex Chapter 1 - Properties of Magic.
In my Tales of the Known World saga, every magic has a few established properties. Much like the properties of minerals, such as hardness or color, the variances in these qualities allow scholars to differentiate magics from each other, and to structure the taxonomy that classifies all magics into groups.
Check out the Magic of the Known World for more resources!
Within the codex, the term property is located at (1.0) and is defined as:
property (N) Any of three unique qualities that define a specific magic and differentiate it from other magics.
The word property applies to any one of the three intrinsic qualities that differ from magic to magic (as in, This property deals with a magic's limits, or, An important property is how a magic is improved).
The three properties of magic used in taxonomy are inception, study, and limit.
Download the complete Magic Codex:
The Known World is rife with magic. Over time, scholars have compiled all these magics and magical effects into a comprehensive taxonomy. For more about the role and inner workings of magic, check out the complete Magic Codex above.
Within the codex, the term inception is located at (1.1) and is defined as:
inception (N) The property of magic involving how a magic arises and is accessed. Also: inception point
The word inception refers to the quality of a magic that has to do with its beginning. There are two aspects to inception. First is how a new magic arises in users (as in, This magic's inception is instinctive, or, Inception requires studying this magic). Second is how a new magic is accessed by users (as in, The inception of this magic requires no other skills, or, He must become a blacksmith before the inception of metal magic).
Magic is often conceptualized as a type of well, and inception describes how the well came to exist and be drawn from.
Many magics arise instinctively in young children, wielded unconsciously as a natural reaction to circumstances. These are like wells formed by natural springs that required no effort. Other magics arise intentionally in students of magic, who must deliberately cast their spells. These are like wells that are constructed over time through conscious effort.
Some magics can be accessed independently of any other abilities, and there are no prerequisites to discovery. These are like wells that are obvious and easy to locate. Other magics can only be accessed through practice of a related magic or skill, akin to wells that are hidden and require exploration into a specific area before discovery.
Check out the Magic of the Known World for more resources!
Within the codex, the term study is located at (1.2) and is defined as:
study (N) The property of magic involving how a magic develops and is mastered.
The word study refers to the quality of a magic that has to do with its progress. There are two aspects to a magic's study. First is how the user of a magic improves that magic over time (as in, This magic's study is by intuition, or, The study of this magic requires refined techniques). Second is how a magic's improvement relies on other skills (as in, This magic has an independent study, or, He must improve his blacksmith skills to allow the study of metal magic).
If magic is a well, study describes how the well is refined, deepened, and reinforced.
Many magics are developed by feel or intuition, mastered through simple practice and repetition. These are like wells that remain full no matter how much water is drawn from them. Other magics are developed by thought or analysis, mastered through the employment of refined techniques. These are like wells that must be dug deeper to increase the water supply.
Some magics can be improved independently of other magics or skills, akin to wells that have their own unique sources and can be refined independently. Other magics rely on related magics or skills for further development, akin to interconnected wells with the same source, where improving a secondary well requires first improving the primary well.
Download the complete Magic Codex:
The Known World is rife with magic. Over time, scholars have compiled all these magics and magical effects into a comprehensive taxonomy. For more about the role and inner workings of magic, check out the complete Magic Codex above.
Within the codex, the term limit is located at (1.3) and is defined as:
limit (N) The property of magic involving a magic's potential for development and mastery. Also: limit point
The word limit refers to the quality of a magic that has to do with its finality. There are two aspects to a magic's limit. First is how a magic's study is impeded (as in, This magic has no known limit, or, The limit of this magic varies by individual). Second is how a magic's inception is impeded (as in, Inception stops after this limit is reached, or, This limit changes the magic's inception).
If magic is a well, limit describes how deep the well can grow.
Few magics are considered to have truly infinite potential, but a number of magics have such extensive potential that they may as well be infinite. Such magics can be developed throughout a person's lifetime, because the person will die of old age before any recognizable limit is reached. These are like wells that seem to have no bottom.
Most magics, however, do have limits on how far an individual can improve. When a mage stops being able to improve a magic in the same manner as before, the magic's inception and study may stop entirely, and the individual will make no further progress. This is akin to a well that has reached the deepest point of its only water source.
In contrast, the inception and study of some other magics merely change when the limit point is reached. For instance, an instinctive magic developed by feel may shift into a learned magic developed by thought. This is like a well that hits bedrock and may be expanded in a new direction, to tap into an adjacent water source.
That's it for this post! Up Next: The four types of magic autonomy...
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