absorbing magic

Sassee · Nov 30, 2007

How cliche'd is the <insert object here> that absorbs magic? Can anyone give me multiple examples of where this sort of thing was used? If I'm gonna use it I might as well know what's already been done.

Thanks much <3

Pthom · Nov 30, 2007

Absorbs it? As in prevents whatever magical spell, device, object, from having its desired effect? Like kevlar armor protects soldiers [well, it does on TV] from bullets? Or like lead absorbs radiation?

Sassee · Nov 30, 2007

Pthom said:
Absorbs it? As in prevents whatever magical spell, device, object, from having its desired effect? Like kevlar armor protects soldiers [well, it does on TV] from bullets? Or like lead absorbs radiation?

Either or. I was leaning more towards having the magic collected in said object rather than dissipated or neutralized (character would be wearing or carrying said object to keep him or herself from being harmed by magic), but again, I want to know what's already been done. Every little angle you can think of so I know what's used more often and how it's already been worked into a storyline.

MattW · Nov 30, 2007

Erikson's Malazan books has a metal called otarral that can be used defesively (armor, jewelry, fortications) or offensively (blades, arrows, etc). It makes all incoming magic dissipate, or allows an attacker to breach magical defenses.

Katherine Kurtz' Deryni tales have a drug that disrupts only the systems of magicians, it makes them beyond intoxicated and unable to do any magic. Used to weed out hidden casters and persecuting them.

The titular Eye of the World from Robert Jordan. A collection point of power - essentially a battery from ages ago.

rugcat · Nov 30, 2007

I used a device that dampens all magical energy in its vicinity for an hour or so, including the possessor. Of course, to find out exactly how I handled it, you'd have to read the book.

Ziljon · Nov 30, 2007

I think Paolini uses that device in Eldest. The gemstones on Eragon's belt store magic which he can draw from rather than exhausting his body.

But it's not clichéd. Since the Holy Grail and the Golden Fleece objects were said to contain magic. It's as natural as apple pie (with magic fairy dust on top).

otterman · Nov 30, 2007

Don't be wary of using such a device. Just add your own interesting ideas and make it part of a good story. I'd read it.

Jenny · Nov 30, 2007

Patricia Wrede has wizards' staffs (staves?) sucking up magic.

sanctuary6284 · Nov 30, 2007

Bartimaeus Trilogy's Amulet of Samarkand contains djinni that absorb/cancel out a weaker djinni's magic.

Hummingbird · Dec 2, 2007

Patricia Wrede's books were what first came to mind for me. Jenny beat me to it... LOL
In her books, the wizards don't have/generate their own magic so they suck magic from things around them. Mainly dragons and enchanted forests.

MargueriteMing · Dec 2, 2007

Mages in Mercedes Lackey's Heraldmage series have transmutation shields, which can absorb energy from incoming attacks and convert it back to magic which the mage can then use.

Matt in Jordan's Wheel of Time series has an amulet (called a terangreal) that absorbs any magic cast directly at its wearer. He is however subject to indirect effects. For example, a stone hurled by magic would still hit him.

LisaHy · Dec 3, 2007

So, what happens when the <insert doohickey here> holds TOO much magic? Huh? Huh?

Seriously, you could have a cool side effect of carrying the doohickey when it's fully stocked/charged/whatever.

Cheers, Lisa.

Aslera · Dec 3, 2007

ter'angreals and sa'angreals do this in Jordan's Wheel of Time but are not only rare but can be incredibly dangerous. I think you just have to make sure that there's an balance and you're not necessarily just letting the character off the hook.

Sassee · Dec 3, 2007

LisaHy said:
So, what happens when the <insert doohickey here> holds TOO much magic? Huh? Huh?

Seriously, you could have a cool side effect of carrying the doohickey when it's fully stocked/charged/whatever.

Cheers, Lisa.

Aslera said:
ter'angreals and sa'angreals do this in Jordan's Wheel of Time but are not only rare but can be incredibly dangerous. I think you just have to make sure that there's an balance and you're not necessarily just letting the character off the hook.

Heh, no worries. I have something ornery in mind

Pthom · Dec 3, 2007

I just got a mental hit of that storage vault in the basement of the old firehall in the movie "Ghost Busters" ...

Zelenka · Dec 3, 2007

I'm not much use in providing examples as I just can't think of any right now, but just wanted to second what people have said about writing this - so long as the idea has your own take on it, I wouldn't stop reading just because you had something that absorbed magic. It's an idea that's got a lot of potential, lot of different ways you could go with it.

Sassee · Dec 3, 2007

Pthom said:
I just got a mental hit of that storage vault in the basement of the old firehall in the movie "Ghost Busters" ...

"What did you do Ray?"

Darkness Rising · Dec 5, 2007

I think that the device hasn't been overused, but I believe that if you create a satisfying consequence for being able to escape magic, then I would be interested. For example, character wears the magic-negating device in battle. The character is struck with magical lightning, but instead of dying he just gets burned or blasted unconscious.

Akuma · Dec 5, 2007

rugcat said:
I used a device that dampens all magical energy in its vicinity for an hour or so, including the possessor. Of course, to find out exactly how I handled it, you'd have to read the book.

Why is it your shameless advertising always makes me want to?

AceTachyon · Dec 6, 2007

Pthom said:
I just got a mental hit of that storage vault in the basement of the old firehall in the movie "Ghost Busters" ...

PETER: We just got a visit from the Environmental Protection Agency. How's the grid holding up?

WINSTON: Tell him about the Twinkie.

PETER: What about the Twinkie?

absorbing magic

Sassee

Momma Wolf

Pthom

Word butcher

Sassee

Momma Wolf

MattW

Company Man

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

Ziljon

Tortilla di Patate

otterman

Word Voyeur

Jenny

Who should be writing ...

sanctuary6284

Mental Supernova

Hummingbird

Pen, Paper, Prepared. ...Write!

MargueriteMing

LisaHy

It's probably a tumour

Aslera

Not an exact science

Sassee

Momma Wolf

Pthom

Word butcher

Zelenka

Going home!

Sassee

Momma Wolf

Darkness Rising

Akuma

Rare Writer Pokemon

AceTachyon

Odd person