Heroes and magic

Felicia Beasley · Aug 30, 2007

During my rewrite of my novel, I'm currently reworking the magic system I have in place and I think I've finally got it right in regards to my world. There is just one thing that bothers me.

Magic comes for the gods, who aren't necessarily characters but can influence the world through avatars. These avatars also have powers, as do the fallen gods (one of whom is currently possessing the antagonist). Very few of the actual characters in the story have access to any magical abilities, mostly just the above antagonist.

My heroes, while they do come across magic, never gain the ability to use it. Nor really care to.

I know there are probably other stories out there with worlds where magic is possible but the main character(s) don't use it, but for some reason my mind is drawing a blank.

Do readers expect for the protagonists to be able to wield magic? Would I be letting down that expectation and causing potential readers to throw the book across the room in a fit because Alyia (protagonist) can never conjure a fireball?

Just looking for suggestions/advice/comments about reader expectation of magic wielding heroes in a magical world.

Hapax Legomenon · Aug 30, 2007

Fireballs are overrated.

I really don't see a problem. I'd like to see a character get by on their wits, for once.

My MC is actually quite skilled at magic (at least for her age), but then again she lives in a world where magic is considered primitive and savage, so it may be a different matter entirely.

Felicia Beasley · Aug 30, 2007

Haphazard said:
Fireballs are overrated.

No actual fireballs in the story, the magic is more for ease of practical things like transportation and communication rather than attack magic.

I agree with you about enjoying when the character gets out of jams with their wits rather than a magical spell, but both appeal to me depending on the individual story

Ravenlocks · Aug 30, 2007

Whatever works for the story. As long as the story works, nobody will be throwing the book against the wall.

glassquill · Aug 30, 2007

In one of my half-written work, the MC is a mage but I try my best to restrict her use of magic. Apart from the use of various rules she has to follow, the very nature of magic itself sets the limit of how much a mage can accomplish. If, let's assume, she wants to blow apart the gates of a keep, she'd need the help of four or five other mages. They would also have to work together. Distract one of them and the outcome will be very different, usually unpleasant for all involved.

I don't think there's any problem. It's just my personal opinion, but if you can come up with a good reason why your character would/ wouldn't use magic (regardless of whether it is available to be used or not) then the reader would accept it.

Another thing would be consistency, of course.

Having your character toss fireballs when you mentioned earlier that he can't do that might irritate the reader.

Felicia Beasley · Aug 30, 2007

Thanks for the replies. This makes me feel better about it!

glassquill · Aug 30, 2007

Oh, yes. I forgot if I've welcomed you yet.

If not,

! All the best with your writing.

TheIT · Aug 30, 2007

As long as your rules of magic are consistent, I have no problem with what you've described.

Oddsocks · Aug 31, 2007

Don't worry too much about doing something contrary to reader expectations. I know when reading that if nothing differs from my expectations, I feel a bit let down. The variations are what make things interesting, and if a cast of non-magic main characters in a magical world is what you want to do, go for it.

ink wench · Aug 31, 2007

Actually, that sounds great to me. I concur with whoever said it's nice to see a character get by on their wits for a change. In my WIP, only a few lucky people are born with the ability to use magic. It's just like eye color, some people are born with blue and others brown. My MC is not one of the magically talented, and it's been a lot of fun figuring out ways for her to outsmart those who are.

Hapax Legomenon · Aug 31, 2007

Felicia Beasley said:
No actual fireballs in the story, the magic is more for ease of practical things like transportation and communication rather than attack magic.

I'm sorry -- usually, 'fireballs' are used as a metaphor for any spectacular magical feat in fantasy stories, be they actual fireballs or anything different. The idea is that they're very flashy and quite useless unless in particular situations.

oscuridad · Aug 31, 2007

In LotR most of the characters do not have access to magic. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are a great example of being powerful and unable (Covenant) and powerful and unwilling (The Lords) powerful and uncaring (Foul). This is great as the use of magic (or Earthpower) isn't an aside but a key structural part of the plot.

Felicia Beasley · Aug 31, 2007

Haphazard said:
I'm sorry -- usually, 'fireballs' are used as a metaphor for any spectacular magical feat in fantasy stories, be they actual fireballs or anything different. The idea is that they're very flashy and quite useless unless in particular situations.

Ah thanks for clarifying. I had no idea you meant it as a metaphor but I do agree with what you said

Dave.C.Robinson · Aug 31, 2007

Conan never used magic.

Danger Jane · Aug 31, 2007

I'm writing in the mythological world of ancient Greece.

The couple of characters (two) who use magic are not really using magic, they're channeling divine power. So part of using the magic is being faithful to the gods.

Evaine · Sep 1, 2007

Thinking through my WIP, my MC has magic, but actually solves her problems by being quick witted, and not through the magic at all.

Felicia Beasley · Sep 1, 2007

Yay!

It's nice to know I'm not alone

Dave.C.Robinson · Sep 2, 2007

Magic, and the MC using it is a major thread of my novel. However, the final resolution is based on who he is and what he can do on his own. Not the magic.

Red Robin · Sep 2, 2007

I don't expect any character to use magic, and when it appears, it should move the plot along. Magic can also be used to give a character an air of mystery, unless magic is so common or predictable as to be itself mundane.

Never use magic (or technology) to pull the story through a rough patch. This happens all the time in Star Trek, and it is a huge let down.

For instance- when Lt. O'Brien makes some interspacial oscillator whcih starfleet engineers have been workng on for 20 years in 20 minutes to escape the Cardassians I am not impressed with O'Briens abilities, rather I think that starfleet engineers are idiots along with the writers.

Heroes and magic

Felicia Beasley

Hapax Legomenon

Felicia Beasley

Ravenlocks

How novel.

glassquill

RB's favourite chewtoy

Felicia Beasley

glassquill

RB's favourite chewtoy

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Oddsocks

ink wench

ray of motherf#%&ing sunshine

Hapax Legomenon

oscuridad

Felicia Beasley

Dave.C.Robinson

... with the High Command

Danger Jane

Evaine

Felicia Beasley

Dave.C.Robinson

... with the High Command

Red Robin

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