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Lately I've been thinking of the idea of a story set in our days, only that there is magic. It's basically meant for a story that I might write in the future. The problem is - too many problems/holes. (also, I'm thinking of adding a race besides humans, such as elves/demoted angels/demoted demons/etc. crap like that. But I'm still not sure I'll go that road though.)

What's the first problem with the settings? If we had magic in the real world, would humanity truly reach the present status?
The easiest way is to simply ignore this question and say "It's a world like ours, only it has magic" but then it creates so many problems which no reader can let the writer get away with.
The second easiest way is to have magic as a secret - only a few people know about magic and can use it. But that as well creates many problems. The story I'm planning is supposed to be a romance with some fantasy elements, so the 'good vs. evil' concept is present here (let's assume both sides can use magic). If magic is supposed to be a difficult feat, then what stops either the hero or the villain to simply buy a gun and shoot each other instead of using magic?
The hardest way, but probably the safest, is to let magic be known and a gainable feat. But then many potential problems should be addressed. However, then the result won't be the present status of our world, but different. Perhaps solving the potential problems in a believeable ways that can direct to our world, is the best option.
Just trying to think about all this stuff makes my head hurt. Later I'll try to solve some of the main problems 

Any ideas?

You could try a steampunk approach: That world has technologies similiar to the ones we have, but they're not powered by electricity but by magic.

My friend is writing something like that. Actually it is based on our roleplaying. In his novel only a few people know magic, it is really rare, end even if demons and such exists they rarely make contact with the normal world since they are to busy with their own stuff, also they try to stay hidden since would be a hassle if it were publicly known. And there are also parallel universes were magic is much more common, at least it is in one. In one there is no magic at all and almost no humans/humanoids either. The one with magic is more of a traditional fantasy-realm with elves and the like.

As for what hinders people to simply shoot each other in the face? It differs, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't it depends on the situation.


Not sure if this helped though.

perhaps the discovery of magic is a "new" thing, thus society's developed until now without it, but now is feeling the influence? That would at least solve the problem of how the world got to where it is now without going on a different course, at least.

nomemory wrote: My friend is writing something like that. Actually it is based on our roleplaying. In his novel only a few people know magic, it is really rare, end even if demons and such exists they rarely make contact with the normal world since they are to busy with their own stuff, also they try to stay hidden since would be a hassle if it were publicly known. And there are also parallel universes were magic is much more common, at least it is in one. In one there is no magic at all and almost no humans/humanoids either. The one with magic is more of a traditional fantasy-realm with elves and the like.

Gotta say it sounds a bit complicated with the parallel universes. I do have to scratch my head about the demons though. My demons are all about chaos and destruction. But well, every one has his own preferences. Does he intend to publish it?

Akonyl wrote: perhaps the discovery of magic is a "new" thing, thus society's developed until now without it, but now is feeling the influence? That would at least solve the problem of how the world got to where it is now without going on a different course, at least.

True, but then the question of "why didn't just the villain buy a gun and shoot the good guys?" is still present, especially since magic is still new, therefore it would be weird if the villain was good at it, although if he was given the powers then it can work.

Ok, let's see......

Standard stuff:

Dus wrote: That world has technologies similiar to the ones we have, but they're not powered by electricity but by magic.

I agree with this possibility. It can actually be done with that. If we specify anymore about how it is done, it is where flaws can appear.
Magic can also be a replacement to fuel! (how sweet of me, I care about the enviorment)

It does make a problem for me though, because what's intended to be a 'low-magic settings' (Lord of the Rings for example) will turn into 'high-magic settings' (see Fairy Tail, Harry Potter, etc.).

Perhaps the approach of Akonyl fits my intention the best, for now.

Now that I think about it, though, perhaps I'm making the whole deal too complicated to begin with. The more I'm being more specific with the intention to clear the flaws, I find even more flaws. Maybe the best way is to simply not be too specific and focus only on what is needed.

Kor wrote:

nomemory wrote: My friend is writing something like that. Actually it is based on our roleplaying. In his novel only a few people know magic, it is really rare, end even if demons and such exists they rarely make contact with the normal world since they are to busy with their own stuff, also they try to stay hidden since would be a hassle if it were publicly known. And there are also parallel universes were magic is much more common, at least it is in one. In one there is no magic at all and almost no humans/humanoids either. The one with magic is more of a traditional fantasy-realm with elves and the like.

Gotta say it sounds a bit complicated with the parallel universes. I do have to scratch my head about the demons though. My demons are all about chaos and destruction. But well, every one has his own preferences. Does he intend to publish it?

Someday I think. I think I make it out to be more complicated that it is. I am bad at explaining things.

But I would suggest that for now don't get to hung up over the flaws when you write, I believe many of the solutions will come in due time.

Kor wrote:

Akonyl wrote: perhaps the discovery of magic is a "new" thing, thus society's developed until now without it, but now is feeling the influence? That would at least solve the problem of how the world got to where it is now without going on a different course, at least.

True, but then the question of "why didn't just the villain buy a gun and shoot the good guys?" is still present, especially since magic is still new, therefore it would be weird if the villain was good at it, although if he was given the powers then it can work.

well, by "new" I don't mean that magic popped up like, last week. It could have been around for 30 years, giving your main characters the ability to become amazing at it, yet that would still get society up to almost modern day without it interference, so you'd only have to include little magical "tweaks" to the world.

As for bullets killing wizards, that's a little trickier, but you could say something along the lines of wizards/magicy things having extreme healing factors that are fueled by their innate magic, and can only be nullified/pierced by other magical forces. So, wizards need to be killed with magic.

Akonyl wrote: well, by "new" I don't mean that magic popped up like, last week. It could have been around for 30 years, giving your main characters the ability to become amazing at it, yet that would still get society up to almost modern day without it interference, so you'd only have to include little magical "tweaks" to the world.

Oh, right. So yeah, it can work. Most countries could have also gotten rid of their weapons since magic is better, but we have to think what the religiouns think of magic and how they acce-
damn, I'm being too specific again  But yeah, the general idea can work.

Akonyl wrote: As for bullets killing wizards, that's a little trickier, but you could say something along the lines of wizards/magicy things having extreme healing factors that are fueled by their innate magic, and can only be nullified/pierced by other magical forces. So, wizards need to be killed with magic.

The bolded part is the only part that is needed to be written  (I don't mind the explanation cause as I've said, I don't like flaws in the settings, but I think most readers don't like to read something which might cause them a headache)

Kor wrote:

Akonyl wrote: As for bullets killing wizards, that's a little trickier, but you could say something along the lines of wizards/magicy things having extreme healing factors that are fueled by their innate magic, and can only be nullified/pierced by other magical forces. So, wizards need to be killed with magic.

The bolded part is the only part that is needed to be written  (I don't mind the explanation cause as I've said, I don't like flaws in the settings, but I think most readers don't like to read something which might cause them a headache)

Serious flaws and plotholes is a serious pain but excessive explanations is a bore to. Make sure it is believable but don't go in on it to much. The most important thing is that you know that it is correct, then it will show in your writing without boring the readers to death. I am sure some are interested in the explanation but if the book is a success you can have a second book with nerdy facts =) Although it is possible to write the full explanation without boring people too, it depends on how you do it and your normal style of writing, and of course on the intended audience.

What I was thinking was that magic could have been recently rediscovered...say 10 years before. So the tech of the world can still be about the same level wile giving people enough time to master the use of magic for good/evil reasons

so I guess what Akonyl already said

Kor wrote: What's the first problem with the settings? If we had magic in the real world, would humanity truly reach the present status?
The easiest way is to simply ignore this question and say "It's a world like ours, only it has magic" but then it creates so many problems which no reader can let the writer get away with.

That's only if you want to explain the phenomenon itself.

(but seriously...) In the story, magic can be traced back to alchemy of sorts (but that sounds like FMA). Some of the stuff used today weren't fully understood at the time (I think laser was one such example).

Kor wrote: If magic is supposed to be a difficult feat, then what stops either the hero or the villain to simply buy a gun and shoot each other instead of using magic?

That reminds me of Indiana Jones. At one point in the movie, there was a sword fight. The director wanted some crazy sword play and some dodgy moves to go along and in the end Indiana Jones was supposed to win. However, when they started shooting, the actor playing Indiana Jones decided to take out a gun and shoot the enemy instead. The other actor went along with it and that is now how it goes in the movie. Funniest scene in that movie (you can tell I'm not a fan since I can't say which of the 4 it is, but it's not raider of the lost ark or the last one that came out a few years ago).

Kor wrote: The hardest way, but probably the safest, is to let magic be known and a gainable feat. But then many potential problems should be addressed. However, then the result won't be the present status of our world, but different. Perhaps solving the potential problems in a believeable ways that can direct to our world, is the best option.

That reminds me of an anime my brother watched (which he found was more creative than others). The world contains magic (something you cast magic circles and do) and inherent magical-like ability (esper?) that a person just uses without magic circles and science to figure them all out. Definitely does not fit with your view of magical world (since it lacks explanation).

a tangent to the topic, but:

blurfbreg wrote:

Kor wrote: If magic is supposed to be a difficult feat, then what stops either the hero or the villain to simply buy a gun and shoot each other instead of using magic?

That reminds me of Indiana Jones. At one point in the movie, there was a sword fight. The director wanted some crazy sword play and some dodgy moves to go along and in the end Indiana Jones was supposed to win. However, when they started shooting, the actor playing Indiana Jones decided to take out a gun and shoot the enemy instead. The other actor went along with it and that is now how it goes in the movie. Funniest scene in that movie (you can tell I'm not a fan since I can't say which of the 4 it is, but it's not raider of the lost ark or the last one that came out a few years ago).

iirc, the other actor actually didn't want to go along with it, probably because he had spent time training with the sword, but the director liked the take on it so much that he forced the guy to go along with it anyway.

I tried to figure out a solution to this topic. And I got one so insane, it has to work.





















































THIS TOPIC IS NOW AN RP IN A MODERN DAY WORLD WHERE MAGIC EXISTS! THE GOVERNMENT IS CORRUPT AND WE ARE THE REBELS, PRETENDING TO BE NORMAL CITIZANS. THERE'S A MYSTERIOUS 3RD GROUP.

START!

I'm just minding my business having a cup of tea and a bagel at an outdoor cafe.  The fact that the governor just dropped dead a block away as I turned the page of my newspaper has nothing to do with me.

My magic alarm clock goes off for the 10th time. I've overslept, and am late for work.

I run out of my house to my car, only to find that I've forgotten my keys. I go back to my house. I've locked myself out.

I silently curse the world as I sit in front of my door with no spare key.