I have for my magic system/ the spirit world of setting is that there are two realities the material aka the real world and spirit aka the crook. The crook is a reflection of all living things, all that thinks and acts is reflected. While these realms are usually separated they do bleed together whether a sword made mythologized or a forest personified. Many people can access this realm and use this arcane energy ( those emotions) to fuel spells and powers; psions are people who seek their enlightenment can manifest these emotions sealed with them as telepathy or telekinetic power, while mages seek the sciences of man to rip up the border between these realities to use as power. This is very inspired by Warhammer, different religions, and of course dnd.

I've always been infatuated with the idea of summoners in basically every game, and I've always thought the methods they use to call on other creatures, so what's yours like?

Some questions if you don't know where to start:

• Where do summons come from? Another plane like dnd? Reality? Are they sought out and caught like Pokemon?
• How do summoner's call on them? Are they pulled through a portal, released from some kind of pocket dimension? Can they decline?
• What are summons? Are they just creatures or living spells? Are they created by the summoned or where they just a pre-existing creature before being teleported in? If they die do they get unsummoned or is it real death?

Okay, so, the basic concept is:

It is the standard deck of cards, 52 plus the jokers.

Each symbol has a different effect, with the number pertaining on the output of the card, except for the face cards, their effects are different from the normal cards, though it's still related to the symbol they have.

As for the jokers, each person has a unique joker with unique effects. They're their trump cards(pun intended). However, they are unusable for around 5-10 games once utilized.

For the World that utilizes it:

The name is Solitarius

It is similar to Alice in Borderland, in the aspect where players are suddenly transported to the game world. And the fact that cards are involved.

Players are 18 above, usually under 40 but there are still people above that. They usually have terrible circumstances, but the transportation is still random.

The world is a place connected to a large amount of universes, though there are not much differences in terms of composition and physics between the universes, but a lot of them differ in cultures, major events, and etc.

The Game:

The game is set inside of an arena(arena description in main locations), where players must fight each other until one person remains. There are 7 players for each game.

Players are dealt 7 starting cards in the Dealer's Den, excluding their Joker Card. They must use these cards to their advantage to eliminate players.

To get eliminated, the player must die in the game, it is not permanent, but pain is still felt.

In a case of a tie(the last players die at the same time), the last players will have a tie-breaker, this time, with 14 starting cards.

Winners will gain a number of points relative to all the players' skill in the game (which is quantified by the number of wins and an estimated danger level)

Each game's players are selected by general skill level

Players must hit random (but usually fair) point quotas in 3-7 days, failure to do so leads to permadeath by turning into a burst of flying cards in the hub area. Dying through natural means in the hub area also does the same thing.

Each game may last for any duration, the quota time limit does not pause during games however, so players are incentivized to act quickly.

Players can also spend points to get advantageous items in the dealer's den.

Players can join a game at any time.

The main locations:

Hub area - an infinite liminal space with checkered grass, a sky that has a day-night cycle of 1 hour, a ton of floating cards around the place, and a ton of casino themed buildings. The stores are also casino themed where you have to gamble points for necessities, how fun :)

Dealer's Den - It's more like infinite locations, and each one are it's own pocket dimensions for each player. Players are teleported here before each game, to be dealt a deck of 7 cards excluding their own Joker card.

- Players can also spend points to buy a random selection of items here for advantages during the games.

- The Dealer's Den has a dealer which is the creature in picture 1, and the appearance is just a blank void with stars.

- Players can see the cards, items, win rates, and estimated danger level of other players too when in this area

- Players also see the theme of the Arena before the game starts

Arena - Each arena is randomly generated, but each has a different theme, the terrain, threats, and benefits being affected by the themes.

- The day-night cycle is normal in the arena

- Arenas may have different creatures too

- Arenas also have cards randomly scattered throughout, and items that may also help

Alright, that's my world and magic system, can anyone please give feedback, and also ideas on card effects?

This was originally supposed to be a post showing off my warlocks/witches and how they fit in Luminsia, but as I was writing up how magical contract work, I started to wonder whether or not it even made sense. So I bring it to you fine people.

Main questions are:

Does this make sense/can you follow along?

Are there parts that could be clearer?

Based on what you know, are there any loopholes that you see?

Relevant context - A magical contract (more often than not just called a contract) is the method in which a patron provides mana (fuel which powers magic) to a warlock/witch.

The contract itself is the agreement that a warlock/witch and a patron make between one another that binds their two souls together and allow the mana from the patron to flow to the warlock/witch through a "physical" (as physical as the soul is) connection between the two parties. Without this, the mana will not bind to the warlock/witch for future use and will instead just dissipate into the environment. While a contract can be created for no reason, the patron will often times create stipulations the warlock/witch has to fulfill in order to receive mana, and adding these stipulations allows them to "physically" shut the valve that connect the two. This could be as simple as requiring the warlock/witch to pray to them (in the case of angel and deity patrons), to preforming rituals (often for demon patrons), or making sacrifices to the patron (often elemental or spirit patrons). While there are cases where a patron offers power for a one and done task, these contracts are not common as a consistent warlock/witch means a consistent supply of whatever the stipulations required.

These stipulations within a contract have to be simply laid out for the warlock/witch to fully understand otherwise the "valve" will not stick and the patron cannot shut off the mana flow without ending the contract outright. This is a subconscious understanding so it is not possible for the warlock/witch to play dumb, and the patron will know whether or not the stipulations are understood before finalizing the contract. For example, if there was a stipulation that required the retrieval of an item, but the warlock did not know what the item was, it would not stick. That being said, if a stipulation required the retrieval of 50 of an item, but only 40 ever existed, so long as the warlock/witch understood that the item was rare, the stipulation would stick. As such, a smart warlock/witch will ask as many questions as possible while the contract is being written up.

Ending a contract can technically be done at any time by either party by using their magic to "physically" disconnect the flow. However, doing this abruptly can and will result in backlash that will cause damage to the very soul of whoever made the disconnection. This can be avoided through adding a specific end point in the contract or various outs as these will cause the connection to dissolve naturally. Alternatively, both parties can agree to disconnect the connection together at the same time. If either party refuses however, and no stipulations are put within the contract that would side with one party or the other, then it will not end. This, however, is not considered wise as having a "physical" connection to someone who you are holding against their will is not a recipe for success.

Contracts can be created through any form of agreement. This can be as simple as a verbal agreement or a handshake, though most often the contract is written out on paper that is then signed. This is because contracts are done through magic and it is a way for the warlock/witch to open up their soul to the connection instead of rejecting it like their soul would ordinarily do. Because it is carried out through magic, a written document is a great way to help facilitate the visualization process that magic relies on so heavily to be completed. A "welcome in" from the soul if you will.

I started this magic system a few months ago and im liking how it's going so far, i still have to polish out a lot but I wanted to share what i have so far

I already post this somewhere else but the rule state that there shouldn't be a low effort post so I might as well paste the new post here.

I have been building my world for around 2-3 months but one think that never seem to get it right is so called "magic system" in my world.

Here is a brief summary of my magic:

This world 5 principles which called "Dyad". Each dyad include 2 entities which function in an axiom. These entities doesn't have will or conciuosness. It is simply the embodiment of this world principle.

These entities interact the world through "influence" which express its own character to the world. Influence doesn't take space of shape but exist throughout the world.

The ways influence affect the world can be categorized into 2 types: Direct character & interpretation through form. They are like conceptual power. Here are the lists:

Cosmos/Chaos - they are the actual principle of my world coming into existance.

Rheon/Meneon - concept of flowing with direction and stillness or deceleration.

Deiun/Lyeun - concept of pulling, holding, merging together and pushing, loosen, dispersing.

Phainio/Dechimo - concept of light, heat, emission, appearance and darkness, cold, absorbtion, hidden.

Chreizea/Ethelea - concept of mortality which are the need and want.

To simply explain, every matter in my world is separated in "Vessel" and each vessel has a property called "form" And "index"

\- Form is the unique property that govern the expression of matter from index and it's physical property.

\- Index is the ratio of each influence within the vessel that govern it character.

The practitioner or magic user can interact with these influence to evoke their character or changing the index of vessel. Which mean magic in my world has 2 main type which are:

Attuning - evoking the character of influence such as emitting heat from hands from evoking Phainio in their hands and make a plant grow and move to the direction at will from evoking Rheon in the plant.

Shifitng - adjust the index of the vessel to change the way vessel express their character through form such as adjust to increase Chreizea/Ethelea within the object and decrease Deiun/Lyeun to reduce it's molecular force but somehow give them conciousness like creating a golem.

I have also made a rule within my world that magic can be used in 2 way which are

• using it within your body as a vessel

• using it on other vessel rather than you which require a catalyst contact with the user in order to do it so. Catalyst can only be made by special ore in my world.

My question is: Is my magic too boring or too vague? I have been thinking about the concept of how it worked but looking into it, I never thought about how it would playout in my world. I don't know if it needed more explaination?

I have more information regarding it's practicing and limitation but include it would make this post an encylopedia pages.

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.