Writing Forum

Seller,

Magic, as with all archana, is most often limited by knowledge. If you only knew how, there is nothing you couldn't do. Therefore an omniscient god would also be omnipotent, but humans don't know everything. Another limiting factor is the very powers that can be unleashed. Imperfect knowledge can lead to catastrophic disasters and the knowledge of a talented practicianer is lost. Which reminds me that wizards are often very secretive, jealous of the knowledge they've gained and not always (or ever) to share their findings.

This limiting factor is obvious in the Word of Power magical system, perhaps call it the Platonian school of magic where having the name of a thing or a person gives you power over them (it). If you don't know the right word you can't do the magic.

Another limiting factor can be the power source. Are you drawing power from a zero point field, from ley lines that criss cross the land, from a place of power, a chrystalline structure or a place of great evil like a battle field. Are you engaging in blood magic where there is an economy of death paying for your effect, your wizard sets up a spiritual mechanism which is fueled by the blood of innocents. Obviously killing people is limited by how many people you can round up to kill. It is also limited by peoples desire not to be killed in dark rituals and their willingness to fight you with whatever comes to hand, pitchforks and torches come to mind.

Is any of this helpful?

Probably the most important factor in fictional magic is consistency. Your magic users can do what ever you need them to do, but what they can and can't do should be consistent and logical.

LSO