Magic-using races can only use the magic aligned with their god(s). The gods are either Ordered, Chaotic, or Wild. Humans are unique in that they generate both Ordered and Destructive magic but can only use Ordered magic unless they have been Tainted. Then they can use Destructive magic. I’m not sure yet if a Tainted […]
Personal energy (also needed to cast spells) cannot be stored but can come from others or one’s self, depending on skill level. Magic can be drawn from the nearest sources, ley lines, or nodes, depending on skill level. Magic can be drawn from artifacts regardless of skill level. Magic can be stored but a storage […]
Where does it come from? Where does it go? The reader may never know but you sure should! Know the source and behavior of the magic in your world – not just to help with consistency but for inspiration. The generation or creation of magic may be indued with spiritual, scientific, or historical significance. Changes […]
Gary Gygax (Photo credit: fd) In Role Playing Games (RPGs), the player controls a character who lives in a fantasy world. The character acts out a role and usually follows a plot of some kind. Some of these games can be used according to the “Popular Culture” guidelines. What is really useful for writers is […]
TajMahal from Agra Uttar Pradesh, INDIA (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Cultural anthropology is just one of four branches of anthropology. Cultural anthropology only studies humans because in the real world, only humans appear to have “culture”. Every intelligent race you create will naturally have their own culture. I assume that the race you create 1) is […]
English: Stone carvings at St Mary’s church (16) Two more fantastical creatures, perhaps a dragon and a cat(?) standing on its back legs. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Myths are found in every culture from Ancient Greece to Pre-Columbian Cuba. Myths are stories of important events and people from the past. Most times these stories have fantastical […]
Another way to create magical races is to take inspiration from nature. And not just animals! Where did Tolken get the Tree Ents, after all? Probably from different types of trees. A hidden benefit here is that most intelligent races are humanoid. If you are willing to stretch yourself, you can avoid this convention. Or […]
See what others have to say and look for ways to make creatures unique. One way is to do an Image search on you favorite search engine. You will likely come up with pictures, clothes, costumes, figurines, toys, and even jewelry. You many also find references to movies, television shows, and literature. Books: Very popular […]
Flickr Chinese Dragon Year Statue (Photo credit: epSos.de) In the next six days, I share several ways to create “complete” non-human races. If you hope to create fantastical beasts and characters that have depth and complexity, then you need them to come from a race that has those same traits. If you write fantasy, science […]
The fantasy and sci-fi genres may – more than any other genre – allow you to explore people, themes, and issues in larger-than-life scenarios. While world building is an important part of any story, it is especially important to the fantasy and science fiction story. A fantastic world is part of these genre’s appeal. These […]
