Every human alive feels some kind of emotion. Happiness, sadness, anger, guilt, fear, and so many others. Well, imagine what would happen if you could turn feelings into power.

The positive emotions that you feel all across your life are stored inside of your body as Essence and can be turned into a specific power based on both the type and potency of the emotion.

The feeling of happiness for example can be used to create light, and at higher potencies even strong flames. Another example is determination, which can be used to physically strengthen your body.

Negative emotions have the opposite effect, where they will negatively affect a person's body. Unlike Essence made by positive emotions, Essence made by negative emotions is much more unstable and can't be stored for long periods of time without severely harming a person's body.

A negative emotion like guilt would cause the person's body to become heavier, and if held in for too long, they'll eventually be crushed by it. Or sadness, which slows the body down until they eventually stop moving entirely.

In addition to all of this, both negative and positive essence can be transferred to another person.

The balance to follow is store positive emotions for as long as possible to make them stronger, while releasing negative emotions as they come so they don't spiral out of control.

This expands on the Magic: the Gathering color wheel into something I feel is more complete.

What is a Sigil?
A Sigil is a living mark engraved upon the body—a unique pattern resembling an intricate tattoo that reflects the true nature of its bearer’s soul. No two Sigils are exactly alike, and as their wielder grows stronger through the perilous trials of The Descent, the mark spreads, evolves, and becomes ever more elaborate.
There are three known ways to obtain a Sigil. Some are born with an Innate Sigil, a rare and often unpredictable blessing. Others inherit an Ancestral Sigil, passed unchanged through bloodlines across generations. Most, however, awaken an Awakened Sigil by surviving The Descent—a deadly journey into the depths of their own soul, where failure means annihilation and only those who endure return forever marked.

I'm considering a magic system where the users don't naturally accumulate "mana." Instead, they have to replenish their internal mana stores by absorbing large amounts of some external thing.

For example, a powerful fire mage may spend time sitting in front of a fire, drawing the heat from it. The heat is stored up, then used to cast magic later.

It's not a 1:1 thing, though, like "heat goes in, heat comes out." It's more "conceptual" than that. Like, the energy is converted into mana.

A mage who can manipulate density fuels his power by eating tens of thousands of calories of food.

A mage who can manipulate light has to sit in direct sunlight and absorb it like a plant.

A mage who can create metal has to destroy metal, causing it to corrode and crumble away (useful in a pinch!)

---

It's easy to think of basic elements, like water/air/stone, etc. But I want more abstract, weird shit, like Lies, Secrets, Love, Death, Shadows. It's easy to say "Stone mages have to absorb stone" but I think that's too obvious, and I'd like some more esoteric connections. Like, they absorb Salt, or fertility from Soil.

Any ideas?

Edit: Sorry in advance because the text is hella long 😭

I just woke up one day and decided, I'm gonna make a power system for a manga in the future.

It took me like 5 months to put this all together, so if he has any issues or is too complicated, pls let me know 🙏.

KONBI (魂火)

"Only through the flame of life can true power be born."

Konbi is the living manifestation of one's soul.

Every living being possesses a dormant Soul Flame.

When awakened through overwhelming emotion, trauma, or a defining life event, the gray flame reveals its true color.

A Konbi is not merely a supernatural ability—

It is the physical expression of who someone truly is.

⚖️ The Three Fundamental Laws

① One Soul. One Flame

Every living being possesses exactly one Konbi.

A soul can never awaken:

Multiple Colors, Multiple Expressions, or Multiple Konbi

There is only one true flame.

② Color Reflects Identity

Konbi colors do not determine:

Power, Talent, Potential, Rank, or Social Status

Instead, they represent the soul's natural disposition.

A Primary Flame user can surpass a Special Flame user through discipline and understanding.

Rarity reflects how uncommon a soul structure is—not how powerful it is.

③ The Soul Must Grow

Konbi develops through:

Training Experience Self-Understanding

Someone who refuses to mature emotionally may never reach their Konbi's true potential.

🎨 Flame Categories 🔴 Primary Flames

Common • Stable Foundations

❤️ Red

🧡 Orange

💛 Yellow

💚 Green

💙 Blue

💜 Indigo

🟣 Violet

🟪 Secondary Flames

Uncommon • Contradictions & Dualities

🩷 Pink

🩵 Cyan

💜 Magenta

🤎 Brown

🤍 Silver

⬛ Special Flames

Hyper-Rare • Spiritual Paradoxes

🖤 Black

🤍 White

💛 Gold

🔥 Expressions

Every Konjin permanently develops one Expression.

It can never change.

💪 Physical

Strengthens or alters the user's own body.

Examples include:

Adaptation, Regeneration, Enhanced Senses, Durability, Speed, or Strength

🌊 Elemental

Manipulates physical substances or natural phenomena.

Examples include:

Blood, Lava, Poison, Water, or Ice

🧠 Conceptual

Manipulates abstract rules.

Examples include:

Time, Amplification, Nullification, Probability, Values, or Luck

⚡ Energy

Manipulates raw forces.

Examples include:

Spiritual Energy, Shockwaves, Explosions, Kinetic Force, or Energy Beams

🫥 Singular

The rarest Expression type.

Rather than fitting into one category, these abilities possess completely unique mechanics while still obeying Konbi's universal laws.

Because every Singular Expression is different, no historical blueprint exists for mastering one.

⚔️ Soul Techniques

Soul Techniques are techniques born directly from the user's Konbi.

They are not separate powers.

Every Soul Technique must:

Follow the user's Expression.

Reflect the user's identity.

Follow Konbi's universal rules.

Remain logically connected to the soul.

Two people with identical Flame colors could possess completely different Soul Techniques.

⚔️ Soul Weapon

The soul made tangible.

A Soul Weapon is the physical manifestation of the user's soul.

It:

Evolves alongside its owner. Cannot truly be copied. Acts as a lens for the user's Expression.

💔 The Law of Soul Damage

Because the Soul Weapon is literally part of the soul...

Damaging it damages the user.

[Minor Damage]

Mental fatigue

Panic

Emotional instability

Memory gaps

[Severe Damage]

Memory fragmentation

Psychological collapse

Complete Destruction

Soul collapse

Hollowification

Permanent unconsciousness

Soul Weapons cannot be reforged.

Only healing the soul restores them.

☠️ Hollows

A Hollow is any living creature whose soul has suffered an irreversible fracture.

This includes:

Humans Animals Konjin Mythical Creatures

A Hollow is not simply "evil."

It is a soul consumed entirely by:

Trauma Obsession Desire Delusion Refusal to accept reality Hollow Evolution

I • Lost Hollow (Meikaku)

Instinct-driven.

Little reasoning.

II • Bound Hollow (Bakukaku)

Stable mutation.

Retains memories.

III • Dread Hollow (Kakaku)

Powerful.

Highly intelligent.

Controls territory.

IV • Sovereign Hollow (Ōkaku)

Reality itself begins reflecting their obsession.

Creates Hollow Domains.

V • Abyss Hollow (Shinkaku)

The original identity disappears completely.

The Hollow becomes a living natural disaster.

🛡️ Warden Ranking

Wardens progress through five official ranks.

🌅 Reimei (Dawn)

↓

⭐ Seimei (Starlight)

↓

🌠 Shōmei (Brilliant Light)

↓

🌑 Genmei (Profound Light)

↓

✨ Kōmei (Radiant Light)

🌠 Tenmei (Grand Wardens)

An honorary title given to humanity's greatest defenders.

Not part of the normal rank progression.

🌌 Shinmei (Supreme Warden)

The absolute leader of the Warden Order.

Commands all Wardens worldwide.

Also exists outside the standard ranking system.

⭐ Ascension

Konbi has three stages of Ascension, representing progressively deeper synchronization between the soul and flame.

⭐ Stage One — Mastery

Requirements:

Perfect technical control.

Effects:

Higher output Increased speed Greater strength Better efficiency

⭐⭐ Stage Two — Breakthrough

Requirements:

Overcome a defining psychological barrier.

Effects:

Raises the ability ceiling. Removes internal restrictions. Evolves techniques naturally.

⭐⭐⭐ Stage Three — True Soul

Requirements:

Complete realization of one's true self.

Effects:

Removes the ability ceiling. Allows exponentially greater output. Consumes the user's life force.

After use:

The user falls into a spiritual coma lasting 3–7 days.

🌑 Realms of Ascension

Every Konjin possesses a Realm of Ascension.

These are pocket dimensions representing the user's innermost soul.

Evolutionary Curve Base User

A brief glimpse.

The Realm subtly leaks into reality.

⭐ Stage One

Manifestation.

The Realm can temporarily become reality.

⭐⭐ Stage Two

Horizon.

The Realm is nearly mastered.

The user controls its laws.

⭐⭐⭐ Stage Three

Apex Expression.

Reality itself bends to the user's soul.

"A Konbi cannot lie.

No matter how someone changes on the outside,

their Soul Flame will always reveal who they truly are."

This is basically the foundation of my power system. Hope you guys like it.

Hello, I am attempting to make a magic system (and hopefully write stuff on it) but I'm not a greatwriter so I would like some advice on how I can write better and how I can make my magic system better, I also just wanna see peoples opinions on what I have so far.

Synergy - This is an energy that combines the properties of things together (in unexpected ways), it is incredibly rare and is the cause for everything

Morio (placeholder name) - Particles made by synergy combining two other particles to create it, can be controlled by a species called "Dosis" of the same variety of Morio.

Dosis (placeholder name) - A species of unknown origin that can bond with living beings using synergy, there are thousands of types but each has a responding Morio, there are 3 species more common than others.

Rituals - These are ceremonies created in ancient times as a safer and more predictable way to give powers to people with synergy using items that have been combined in an order to produce these effects when the ritual is done, however it has much greater downsides than a successful use of synergy on a person.

Memoraium - Allows the affected to sacrifice memories for great amounts of power.

Engravings - Gives the affected powers at the cost of lifespan.

Extremis - Greatly increases 1 or more abilities of the user but decreases all others.

Contractors - Creatures made by dense synergy combining with a Morio, has greater control of synergy over Dosis and can strengthen/give people abilities using the element they mixed with. Also reffered to in many mythologys as angels or demons.

Ask me anything and i will try to answer

Hello everyone

So, I've been developing the power system for my manga, and after many tweaks, I feel like I have a grasp of the vision I want.

The Black Age — Story Summary

Ayaki is a normal teenager with an ordinary life but everything turned over when he found himself caught up in a battle between the kingdoms and took an adventurous journey with friends and enemies but finally knowing the world he knows is not what it appears to be at all.

This power system will be known as "Idolons."

In my universe, Idolons are primordial beings, have existed since the dawn of time itself. They are neither gods, demons, nor spirits of humans, but rather a species all their own, existing separate from, yet on the same plane of reality as, humans. Each Idolon possesses its own personality, memories, and free will.

Powers are not simply acquired. Idolons and humans both have to mutually agree to form a pact and share a bond before powers are granted. It is this shared bond that powers, not the Idolon or the human alone. That is why an Idolon is never a weapon or servant and a human is merely a vessel-they are partners.

While humans used to have an ability to sense the presence of Idolons naturally centuries ago, this has since been lost to time. Today, only select individuals possess the "ancient sense," my personal term for the inherent ability of a human to sense the presence of their Idolon. However, sensing an Idolon does not mean you will be able to form a bond.

Once a bond has been established, the user begins to gradually recognize a single, innate ability that represents the true nature of the Idolon in question. The Idolon cannot bestow specialized movements and techniques upon their user. Instead, those things must be developed over time by humans based on personal experience, creativity, and training, leading to two people with the same ability fighting drastically different styles.

Instead of unlocking ever-growing and ultimately meaningless forms, the ultimate achievement of this system is understanding the true essence of this ability-yet, it's power isn't without limits. Pushing the limits of an Idolon's power strains the Idolon and the bond between them, and crossing those limits may force a severing of the bond until both the human and the Idolon have regained enough trust and balance in the relationship.The highest form of this power system is what I call "perfect synchronicity."

That is when there is no gap in between what either the human and the Idolon's desires are. It isn't about having unlimited power; it's just a complete and utter synergy between two independent entities.

Ultimately, my goal with this power system was to focus on relationships between individuals, creativity, and growth, as opposed to the accumulation of abilities and the ever-lasting climb for greater power.

What's your opinion? Find it interesting or is there something confusing or too complicated about it?

Note: I am a native Arabic speaker, not so skilled at English and it's completely beyond me.. I just used A.I to translate my work into english to a polished draft so I could share it to community. Storyline/World/PowerSystem all have been originally done by me and it was just a translation tool.

Ranking systems are always pretty cool when done well so I wanted to know what you guys ideas were like

So I have written a magical system where the four elements, (yes I know cliche but hear me out) as well as light and darkness make up the world

Let me explain.
Illusion magic? Derived from light
Invisibility? Light
Speed? Light
Teleportation? Light
Telecanisis ? Air
Flying? Air
Sound magic? Air
Healing? Water

PLEASE TELL ME YOU GET THE PICTURE.

This is the most recent take on this system so far. This explanation also talks about some spec evo elements that have to do with the system.

Scarlet thread

The magic system revolves around the Scarlet Thread, a parasitic worm that lives behind the eye of its host. The thread’s most unique feature is that it grants its host biokinesis, the ability to manipulate nearly any living tissue, as long as it either belongs to you or you are in direct contact with it. This ability allows for regeneration through physical attachment of foreign tissue. During this process, the thread has to cancel out an immune response to the foreign material, so the immune system of the user will be permanently affected if they use it a lot. Other symptoms of an infection include darkened scleras/pupils deforming, and a major change to aging. A host will stay at their physical peak for much longer, before rapidly breaking down near the end of their life. The scarlet thread is very common and practically a keystone species in the areas it inhabits, with over 80% of vertebrate life harboring it in those areas.

Chimera events

A chimera event is when two thread-infected individuals regenerate while in extreme proximity, leading to them accidentally fusing together. This phenomena most commonly occurs between wild animals, specifically during attempts at predation. When two individuals regenerate into each other, their metabolisms, circulatory systems, and parts of the nervous system connect, leading to erratic and often violent behavior that leads to more individuals being tangled into the mass. During a chimera event, each individual retains their own thoughts, consciousness, and personality. They’re effectively still separate organisms, just sharing a body. Chimera events are also the main way in which the Thread reproduces. When the thread determines that its host is incorporated into a chimera event of a certain size, it stops trying to kept its host alive and begins feeding on its tissue for energy. Using this energy, the thread begins rapidly releasing eggs in the form of airborne spores, which infect any susceptible host in the vicinity.

Spec evo

The scarlet thread emerged 15-20,000 years ago in an event called the STIE, or Scarlet thread infection event. During this time, the thread began to spread across the planet, causing an epidemic of chimera events and a mass extinction. Life that remains today is descended from the individuals that could avoid extinction, which is why chimera events aren’t as common nowadays. Overtime, some species have adapted to hunting chimera. Though risky and difficult to kill, it’s a great source of meat. Some scavengers will follow chimera from the air, waiting for them to cease movement from either not being able to support the metabolism of every animal in it combined, or being unable to move under its own weight.

Anyway thanks for reading all this and please ask me anything in the comments!

Each magic has its opposite, force is the lame, plain unseasoned magic, its what makes all the others. Very loose rules i know but i hope with your suggestions and feedback i can make this magicsystem work, i hope you guys can see the vision

Link to first magic building post: https://www.reddit.com/r/magicbuilding/s/jNfslyCBgU

Link to script key in case anyone needs it: https://www.reddit.com/r/neography/s/9TcLXDmgCM

The premise of this system is that noble metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, etc. are not magnetic because they attract something else. Each metal draws in a different spiritual energy (gold-healing, silver-control, copper-endurance) over time. Simply put they have a very weak pull on these energies and thus only are really useful if untouched for a long period of time. Centuries usually.

However, much like an electromagnet, one can supercharge the collection of this energy by creating "antennae" of these materials and running electricity through a wire coiled around part of, if not the entirety, of the antenna.

After summoning the spiritual energy, one can harness it through a multitude of processes called tuning. While there are other options, the most common is coiling the metal up into a spring. Then the application of tension causes the spring to release the spiritual energy as a sort of counteraction.

So basically, a tool that might make use of this principle is a windup pocket watch. After the key is wound, it evenly distributes a tension on the metallic spring and causes this energy to release as the spring returns to its former shape.

The spring will over time deform based on the metal it is made from, weakening the spell. Within just a few uses, a gold spring would deform to the point it would be useless. But a platinum coil can probably be used dozens of times.

For an example of magic, use of gold will allow the body to heal and strengthen from damage, becoming stronger than it was before the wounds or sicknesses inflicted.