Main/Magic/Has Rules/Draft

Functional Magic is a magic system which operates according to a system of rules. The number and complexity of the rules vary greatly from work to work and author to author. Some authors choose to state the explicitly in the text, while others choose to let the audience members figure them them out themselves.

Why would an author voluntarily place restrictions on the limitless possibilities of magic? There are a number of reasons, but they all really boil down to "To keep the story interesting."

The most important reason is that unfettered magic would remove all conflict from the story. If the characters could solve all their problems with magic, the story wouldn't be very interesting: any obstacle they encounter could be removed instantly with a spell.

Secondly, if magic is bound by certain rules, it will operate consistently and reliably to whatever degree the rules dictate. This assists in the willing suspension of disbelief.

Another reason is that well-defined magic is easier to describe. Which of the following is more interesting?


 * "Bob the Sorcerer cast a spell."
 * "Archmage Bob traced the runes in the air with his hands, while he chanted words of the ancient, secret language with which the Gods had created the world."

Unfortunately, if magic is too clearly defined, it can loos its sense of awe and wonder. In some cases, magic is so perfectly defined that it ceases to seem magical at all, and just becomes another type of science.