Having read some of the posts around here, I would say that my "Magic" is, in some forms, essentially nothing more than land-law and cobha. However, what would commonly be bundled up as "Magic" is divided into three very different forms in my world. They are as folllows:

Craft: This is the most common form used. Its technical name is "The Craft of Dragons." In the Red World, the world of my design, dragons are very human: they have speech, rationale, self-will, all of it. They can naturally work "magic" by the utterance of certain words or thinking certain thoughts. Men eventually learned this craft, though with some difficulty, as it requires a different language than that which men normally speak.

Magic: Magic itself could be subdivided, but since its main difference with Craft is its morality I won't divide it. In my world, all beings have three natures: spirit, body, and shadow. One way magic works is by becoming deeply involved with one's shadow, which is not natural and is wrong, and causing it to allow you to work magic. Another way is to lend power to a spirit-being, and then allow it to do the work you wish.

Both of the Above: Both magic and craft are limited by the power of the individual using them. If any of you have played some of the fantasy video games or internet games or what-not out there, then this is something like "mana," I think. I don't play those games but know people that do, and that seems like the best translation.

Power: This is an ambiguous term. Both of the above "magics" will drain someone's "power," (something like what I believe is called "mana" in some video games) but that is not the sense meant here. Power here could be called "Authority" and comes into play mostly when gods get involved. Such an example is the authority of a god over the lands he created to make them move or cause their mountains to fall. Another example is the ability of a god over beings which he endowed with strength or created. As is obvious this sort of power does not come into play very much. The big catch is that power can be passed around, i.e., a god may endow a certain man which he trusts with this sort of power, and that's when it gets tricky.

That is an interesting set up. So, is the magic "evil" or "good"? Where does it come from? Is it a gift?

Craft is right or wrong depending on the use. If it is used to defeat the White Cross's enemies, or to help his friends, then it is good. If it is used against the White Cross, his friends, or for his enemies, then it is wrong. "Power" is likewise dependent on the use.

Magic is always wrong. Always. No exceptions. Even if you normally use craft but need magic for something it is wrong. Never good. Always bad.

So craft and power are tools, while magic is not, correct?

Yes, craft and power can both be looked at as tools. Magic is a tool in the sense that you can use it to make tasks easier, or possible, but it is always immoral.

Ah, I see. I like how much you've developed it.

I like it--especially how Magic is always bad, and how Craft is tools. One of the things I don't like about traditional magic is the mystical aspect of it.

eruheran

I really liked your references to one's shadow. That is an interesting concept.

I thank you, Airianna Valenshia, for your compliment. Just so you know, though, the term shadow as meant here refers to one of the three metaphysical parts of all intelligent beings in the Red World, these being Flesh, Spirit, and Shadow. The Shadow is a corruptive agent evident in all beings.

I kind of got that, which is part of why I thought it was so interesting. Your comment held a lot of depth and my mind raced with all of the implications in your sentences.

Oh, and I am a big Dragon fan myself, so I like your uses of Dragons in your story.

Interesting thoughts Reiyen.

Very interesting, Reiyen. For a minute there, I was a bit uncomfortable, until you fully explained it. I might say, though, that you probably want to make sure that to come out and state it in your book(s). Good job so far!

Interesting indeed... *nods*

I also thought it was neat that you're using the story of Moses. I would love to hear more about your book!