Subject: I'll be sure to check it out...
Author:
Posted on: 2018-01-07 02:52:00 UTC

... when I have time, it sounds pretty interesting.

Anyways back on topic. You say you have a hard time understanding technical details. If you don't know where to actually start creating technical details, there are six broad questions you need to ask; keep in mind these six broad questions can be used for each part of worldbuilding, although the significance of each question may vary depending on which part you are developing. As you may have guessed, the six questions are who, what, when, where, why, and how. These are obviously too broad to be of direct use, so let's break it down, this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Who - who can use magic
- Can anyone use magic?
- Is talent decided at birth, or can the gift be acquired through some special means?
- What determines power?
- Can a person get more powerful? If so, how?
- Does race affect magic?
- Are there some types of magic that some races cannot use?
- Are certain races better at magic?
- Better at only certain types?
- Do some races have an innate form of magic?
- Are some races incapable of magic save for any innate magic?

What - What is magic? (You answered this pretty well already, but here are a few more questions you can consider)
-What are the costs associated with magic?
- Are there different costs for different types of magic?
- Do certain races get a discount for certain types of magic?
- Are there any taboos associated with magic?
- Is there an "Order" to the universe that magic cannot break?
- If there is and it can be broken, what are the consequences or extra cost of breaking said Order?
- What are the weaknesses and limitations of magic?

When - when can you use magic?
- Are there certain spells that only work in certain times?
- Are there auspicious periods where magic can get stronger/ cost less?
- If so, do certain periods correspond to certain types of magic?
- Can this time period be used to break taboos?

Where - where can you use magic?
- Are there dead zones? (places where magic does not work or is weaker)
- Are there places where magic is stronger? (Ley lines perhaps?)
- Are there places where certain types of magic is strengthened but others are weakened?
- Is there a way to manipulate the affinity of such places?

How - How is magic used?
- what is the procedure of spell casting?
- Magic symbols?
- Gestures and movements?
- Sound?
- Words?
- Force of will?
- A combination of any of the above as well as anything I did not think of?
- Do these differ depending on magic type/race?
- How is magic applied to technology?
- How are new spells discovered?

Why - This is arguably the trickiest, and not always necessary. Just keep "Why?" in mind whenever you make a decision in your world building, if the answer doesn't require too much metaphysical stuff, try to answer it. An example of an answerable one is "Why are there dead zones?" An example of one you could leave alone is "Why does magic exist?"

As for keeping all this in your mind, make a document of the answers you have given as a reference sheet. Also, since these are all yes and no answers, specify if yes.

Oh, and don't forget Sanderson's laws.

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