I'm writing a fantasy story, and therefore I'm working on this magic system, but I'm not sure if its going to work or not. I have not yet worked out all the mechanics, but I'm not too worried about that. It's the very basics that are the problem. Here's how it works in a nut shell: to use magic, a mage would need an oculus, wich is a device he uses to keep contact between his body - witch is going to stay where it is, crosslegged in front of a fire - and his soul, witch is going to travel between the planets of our solar system. And here's why: all the energy a mage would need to do anything comes from the sun. But the sun is way to hot, way to powerfull, and WAY to dangerous to be used directly. But as this energy is radiated out into the solar system, it is also sorted out into different kinds. These are safe to use, but it does mean one needs to go to different planets if one needs to do different things. So as long as you know whitch planet to get it from, solar energy can be used to do just about anything: send a message, light a fire, kill a man, travel around, you get the picture. Now I don't mean to blow my own horn, but personally I like this, and I think it's pretty original too I'm only worried about using planets and all that in fantasy, especially ones that actually exist. If I start using planets and stars, I might also start using black holes and string theory. Not that I don't like that idea... but still some part of me feels it's out of place, like a lightsaber would be. After all, this is a world where most people still use horses to get around, and swords to kill one another so I think I'm worried about my fantasy story mutating into some fantasy-sifi mix that should not exist. can anyone help me with this?
I don't think this is such an issue when the use of 'magic' in history has often been closely associated with the planets, lunar phases, shooting stars, ect ect. I think it's more of an issue as to how you present the magic as being used. Do people use it for interstellar travel? Have they started colonies on distant planets through this astral travel (in which case you've already introduced the cross over fantasy/sci-fi)? Could the story be better served via doing such a cross genre type thing? Guess it depends where you're wanting to take it?
there will be no distant colonizations, and most people will still think of space as 'the great beyond' of witch they know virtually nothing. Mages can't phisically get off the earth either, only in a spiritual sort of way. there might be alien life in some way though... the point is, I really want to keep the sifi out of it. I just don't think it's a good mix. In technology, this world is no further than black powder. So any tools a mage could need must be made out of simple wood and iron, by a carpenter and a blacksmith. I want to have a sort of medieval atmosphere in the story. But is it possible to maintain that and still travel back and forth between planets, even if just in 'ghost form'?
A story concept means nothing. I can tell you now, it has been done before. What matters is how you write it, the characterization, the flow, the imagery, all of it. There's no benefit in asking what other people think of the concept! They'll either say,"Sounds great," or, "it sounds like a ripoff of..." If the idea stirs you, write it. Then ask people what they think of the final story. After they tell you what they don't like about it, revise it, usually several times, until you're happy with it or until you throw up your hands and say the hell with it. Please read this thread about What is Plot Creation and Development? Make the reader believe in it. That will be difficult if you don't believe it yourself, though.
I've read something that sounds similar to what you're trying to do (not the SAME thing but it was a mix of sci fi and fantasy but without the sci-fi becoming too much), but I can't think for the life of me what it's called. I do think you can pull it off without making it too sci-fi (or even making it seem sci-fi at all). By making the astral travel of the mages something completely specific to them, it should also serve a purpose. Like if they astral project to get in touch with the stars (planets and such) to grant them certain abilities or to be bestowed with gifts? Or do the more powerful ones just do it for fun, despite the act been a taboo or some such thing? I take it that this also leaves them in a vulnerable state? Which provides a great balance to their awesome abilities. Once again, I just think it comes down to how you use it. It doesn't even sound sci-fi and in my opinion the use of heavenly bodies does not make it sci-fi, so I think you'd be ok to pursue it =)
If you wanted to avoid making up planets, or using existing ones, you could just use Stars. You can them name them however you wish, create a starmap, name the stars and their abilities. That definitely wouldn't seem strange or jarring.
I know this is my first post, mainly because I haven't felt the need to comment in any other thread yet. So I hope this won't sound too critical for a first timer. However... I'd feel less bothered about my system of magic (which is different between every author) than my ability to distinguish the difference between the use of 'witch' (a person of magical ability) and 'which'. Pob
sorry about that >.< English isn't my first language (the story will be in Duch) but I do my best to keep my posts understandible for everyone on the forum
