Hard vs. Soft magic systems (+poll~)

[Candlebite]

Ah, okay, Its fine
And thats a cool idea using contracts instead of magic. Sounds like its really open to different things it could do, but also characters can only "magic" what they have specific contracts for, until they go get a new one.
And there probably could have better contracts require specific things, like a contract requiring you to always do something before having the demon assist you, or just getting these demons/ fae/ etc to accept a contract could be the hard part- or even a mix of both
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btw @DukeOfOool I might fall asleep soon, its late where i am

[DukeOfOool]

Hmm, maybe offering some thin gof monetary value each time the contract is activated, or even demon and fae specific items/currency. Can definitely work on that. And increasing complexity of the contract forming with increasing power is definitely the minimum requirement. Ha, maybe I'll make it that the hightier demons act like famous artists, who just straight up refuse people out of a whim.

This is definitely the hardest magic system I've created xD.

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Ok, just write your prefered magic system, whenever you have time. till later

[Candlebite]

@DukeOfOool I am awake now,
And yeah, it's a really cool system

let's see
Besides Devoured World's magic system there's also one story idea I'm working on,

In this other story people don't have magic, but there are magical items scattered around the "dangerous parts" of this world, and have specific abilities.

Though the more someone uses an item they sort of bond with it and get more abilities with that item.

Though it is always possible for someone to lose said item and lose all that progress unless they can get it again.

[DukeOfOool]

Oh, So they're like relicts from a time long past. Cool!
So do those additional abilities corespond with the original ability? I'd think more specialized versions of the original skill, would be the most interesting. Allowing the characters to diversify would make them more and more sameey over time.

And the posibility to lose the item is also a real danger. Is it more physical touching said item or theoretical possesion? Like as long it's in my (e.g.) bag I can use the ability. Either way I just imagined a close quarters fighting scene where both sides are somewhat atuned to one item their fighting over. Both sides trying to steal "their" weapon back. That would be rad!

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On a side note: I realized how many people tend to want hard systems, but with multiple ways of application. Maximized security with maximized freedom. Wanting the cake and eat it

[Snickerdoodles]

I have been mentally replacing every instance of the word "magic" with the word "taco."

[DukeOfOool]

What benefits do hard tacos have over soft tacos or vice versa?
I am not very well versed in taco systems.

[Snickerdoodles]

I prefer soft because it keeps tacos as tacos, rather than a science

I like the element of mystery, that taco goes beyond mundane classifications and never be fully mastered

Of course this isn't true for all soft taco systems, but it is the system that allows for it

[Candlebite]

You got that right,
And yeah specialized versions of the original powers what I was going for.
For how its used i just went with has to be physically touching you, though i hadn't really thought about it just being in their possession and having its ability, but thats a cool idea i'll be sure to remember

Yeah having both limitations to what the magic can do, and different characters having different ways to solve their problems via magic, is very appealing
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Though think thats all i have about that system I'm working on- I could talk some more about how Devoured World's magic system works though.

[DukeOfOool]

Thanks.

If you want you could talk about Devoured World's magic I would be delighted, I'm going to start reading it now.
hehehehe scurries away on spider legs

[Snickerdoodles]

Now watch everyone avoid the word "magic."

[DukeOfOool]

What word <>!? I only see tacos.

[DiegoPalacios]

"Taco the gathering sounds like a funnier game now"

[Darth_Biomech]

Hard magic often provokes some deeper worldbuilding, and I'm a sucker for worldbuilding.

[Candlebite]

Okay so, In Devoured World everything has mana flowing through it, people/ animals/ plants/ the land etc.
thanks to the World Hearts- Think of it acting like a regular heart, refreshing used up mana to be used again by the things there.
So anyone from that world can use magic,

Anyway things are born/ or made with a mix of any of the aspects
(on this page) https://tapas.io/episode/1762752
Though- a problem arises if someone has too much aspects-,gonna save that spoiler for later too though

gonna talk about more in a second--

[DukeOfOool]

Thanks to your nice graphic I can already imagine what problems.

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I'm going to fix my sleep skedule, so I might turn off soon.

[Candlebite]

Mmm maybe...
anyway goodnight
I guess 'ill finish writing up the rest stuff for when you wake up

[Candlebite]

Abyssals eat mana, so it just takes mana out of the cycle so i can't be refreshed
And abyssals generally dont have what would be considered magic in that world though they have other odd abilities- that happen because of how they mess with the world.

Full fledged Guardians are connected to the Heart they protect and get perks to being near it like more power, or regenerating mana from being near it.

Certain people, not everyone in a Guardians family have an ability thats deadly to Abyssals- that one trait, lets you apply to become a Guardian.
Why they have it? thats all I'm talking on that subject cause of spoilers.

[DukeOfOool]

Thanks for this small excursion into your tacos. I'm already dying to keep on reading your work.

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[Snickerdoodles]

Small excursion into your what?

[DukeOfOool]

hurumpf! You surely misheard, it clearly sais tacos