#( inspo | development. )

[theplotmage]

Principles and Laws of Magic for Fantasy Writers

Fundamental Laws

1. Law of Conservation of Magic- Magic cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

3. Law of Equivalent Exchange- To gain something, an equal value must be given.

5. Law of Magical Exhaustion- Using magic drains the user’s energy or life force.

Interaction and Interference

4. Law of Magical Interference- Magic can interfere with other magical effects.

6. Law of Magical Contamination- Magic can have unintended side effects.

8. Law of Magical Inertia- Magical effects continue until stopped by an equal or greater force.

Resonance and Conditions

7. Law of Magical Resonance- Magic resonates with certain materials, places, or times.

9. Law of Magical Secrecy- Magic must be kept secret from the non-magical world.

11. Law of Magical Hierarchy- Different types of magic have different levels of power and difficulty.

Balance and Consequences

10. Law of Magical Balance- Every positive magical effect has a negative consequence.

12. Law of Magical Limitation- Magic has limits and cannot solve every problem.

14. Law of Magical Rebound- Misused magic can backfire on the user.

Special Conditions

13. Law of Magical Conduits- Certain objects or beings can channel magic more effectively.

15. Law of Magical Cycles- Magic may be stronger or weaker depending on cycles (e.g., lunar phases).

17. Law of Magical Awareness- Some beings are more attuned to magic and can sense its presence.

Ethical and Moral Laws

16. Law of Magical Ethics- Magic should be used responsibly and ethically.

18. Law of Magical Consent- Magic should not be used on others without their consent.

20. Law of Magical Oaths- Magical promises or oaths are binding and have severe consequences if broken.

Advanced and Rare Laws

19. Law of Magical Evolution- Magic can evolve and change over time.

20. Law of Magical Singularities- Unique, one-of-a-kind magical phenomena exist and are unpredictable.

Unique and Imaginative Magical Laws

- Law of Temporal Magic- Magic can manipulate time, but with severe consequences. Altering the past can create paradoxes, and using time magic ages the caster rapidly.

- Law of Emotional Resonance- Magic is amplified or diminished by the caster’s emotions. Strong emotions like love or anger can make spells more powerful but harder to control.

- Law of Elemental Harmony- Magic is tied to natural elements (fire, water, earth, air). Using one element excessively can disrupt the balance and cause natural disasters.

- Law of Dream Magic- Magic can be accessed through dreams. Dreamwalkers can enter others’ dreams, but they risk getting trapped in the dream world.

- Law of Ancestral Magic- Magic is inherited through bloodlines. The strength and type of magic depend on the caster’s ancestry, and ancient family feuds can influence magical abilities.

- Law of Symbiotic Magic- Magic requires a symbiotic relationship with magical creatures. The caster and creature share power, but harming one affects the other.

- Law of Forgotten Magic- Ancient spells and rituals are lost to time. Discovering and using forgotten magic can yield great power but also unknown dangers.

- Law of Magical Echoes- Spells leave behind echoes that can be sensed or traced. Powerful spells create stronger echoes that linger longer.

- Law of Arcane Geometry- Magic follows geometric patterns. Spells must be cast within specific shapes or alignments to work correctly.

- Law of Celestial Magic- Magic is influenced by celestial bodies. Spells are stronger during certain astronomical events like eclipses or planetary alignments.

- Law of Sentient Magic- Magic has a will of its own. It can choose to aid or hinder the caster based on its own mysterious motives.

- Law of Shadow Magic- Magic can manipulate shadows and darkness. Shadowcasters can travel through shadows but are vulnerable to light.

- Law of Sympathetic Magic- Magic works through connections. A spell cast on a representation of a person (like a doll or portrait) affects the actual person.

- Law of Magical Artifacts- Certain objects hold immense magical power. These artifacts can only be used by those deemed worthy or who possess specific traits.

- Law of Arcane Paradoxes- Some spells create paradoxes that defy logic. These paradoxes can have unpredictable and often dangerous outcomes.

- Law of Elemental Fusion- Combining different elemental magics creates new, hybrid spells with unique properties and effects.

- Law of Ethereal Magic- Magic can interact with the spirit world. Ethereal mages can communicate with spirits, but prolonged contact can blur the line between life and death.

- Law of Arcane Symbiosis- Magic can bond with technology, creating magical machines or enchanted devices with extraordinary capabilities.

- Law of Dimensional Magic- Magic can open portals to other dimensions. Dimensional travelers can explore alternate realities but risk getting lost or encountering hostile beings.

- Law of Arcane Sacrifice- Powerful spells require a sacrifice, such as a cherished memory, a personal item, or even a part of the caster’s soul.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

what are some ways to describe people other than eye and hair color

I am assuming you are looking for physical descriptors. Here are some examples. I may just make a different post on psychological descriptors.

Arms: Long, Muscular, Pudgy, Short, Skinny, Thin

Back: Bent, Hunched, Ramrod Straight, Rounded

Build: Anorexic, Athletic, Beefy, Brawny, Burly, Chubby, Coltish, Compact, Fat, Gangly, Gaunt, Gawky, Haggard, Heavy-set, Herculean, Husky, Lanky, Lithe, Muscular, Obese, Overweight, Petite, Rangy, Reed-like, Scrawny, Skinny, Slender, Slight, Solid, Spindly, Statuesque, Stocky, Strapping, Sylphlike, Taut, Thickset, Thin, Trim, Underweight, Voluptuous, Well-built, Willowy, Withered

Cheeks: Blushing, Bold, Curved, Dimpled, Bold, Curved, Dimpled, Disturbed, Glorious, Glowing, Hairless, High (cheekbones), Hollow, Honey, Livid, Pale, Pallid, Pink, Plump, Puffy, Radiant, Reddened, Rosy, Rounded, Ruddy, Shining, Smooth, Soft, Sun-burnt, Sun-bronzed, Sunken, Sun-tanned, Tanned, Tearful, White

Chin: Angular, Bony, Bumpy, Chiseled, Defined, Doughy, Firm, Protruding, Round, Smooth, Soft, Square, Strong

Ears: Jug-like, Large, Protruding, Tiny

Eyebrows: Arching, Bushy, Emphasized, Near, Spaced, Thick, Thin

Eyelashes: Artificial, Beaded, Beautiful, Blinking, Dark, Dark-fringed, Dense, Dusky, Heavily-fringed, Long, Mascaraed, Sandy, Sooty, Sopping, Tear-drenched, Thick, Uplifted

Eyes: Almond-shaped, Bright, Bulging, Expressive, Frightened, Gentle, Languishing, Little, Luminous, Made-up, Round, Shining, Shortsighted, Smart, Stunned, Thin, Wide, Woeful

Face: Baby, Blood-stained, Bold, Chiseled, Contorted, Dead, Expressionless, Fair, Familiar, Fierce, Flat, Frightened, Furrowed, Honest, Indifferent, Little, Pale, Poker, Pretty, Radiant, Rough, Ruddy, Sallow, Square, Stained, Swollen, Trim, Weather-beaten, Wry

Feet: Athlete's, Big, Flat, Pigeon-toed, Small, Sore, Stinky, Stubby, Swollen

Fingers: Gnarled, Long, Short, Stubby

Finger Nails: Bitten, Broken, Claw-like, Dirty, Hooked, Long, Painted, Sharp, Talon-like

Hair: Afro, Bald, Beehive, Braided, Bristles, Bun, Chignon, Coiffure, Combed, Corkscrew, Corn rows, Cowlicked, Crew cut, Curly, Disarrayed, Disheveled, Dreadlocks, Dry, Flattop, Flecked, French braid, French twist, Fringe, Greasy, Grizzled, Knotted, Layered, Locks, Matted, Messed up, Mohawk, Mussy, Muttonchops, Neat, Oily, Page boy, Perm, Pigtails, Plait, Pompadour, Ponytail, Ragged, Receding, Ringlets, Ruffled, Shaggy, Shorn, Shoulder-length, Skinhead, Spiky, Split-ended, Straight, Tangled, Thick, Thinning, Tidy, Topknot, Tousled, Twisted, Uncombed, Unshorn, Untidy, Wavy, Wiry, Wisps

Hand: Big, Elegant, Small

Height: Big, Knee-high, Medium, Short, Shoulder-high, Sky-high, Small, Tall, Towering, Waist-high

Legs: Amputated, Bandy, Bony, Bowed, Brawny, Bulging, Fluted, Gartered, Gouty, Graceful, Hacked, Hairy, Jagged, Knotted, Leaden, Long, Lower, Muscular, Pitiful, Rickety, Shapely, Shivering, Short, Sinewy, Slender, Slim, Spindle, Stockinged, Sturdy, Thin, Thread-like, Tinder, Tiny, Toothsome, Tree trunks

Lips: Blue, Cracked, Cupid's Bow, Downturned, Dry, Fat, Full, Grim, Large, Luscious, Parched, Parted, Red, Ruby, Small, Smiling, Thin, Wet

Mouth: Arch, Ascetic, Baby, Cavernous, Churning, Compressed, Cooing, Coral, Cracked, Cruel, Delicate, Dumpled, Distended, Dry, Fine, Firm, Frothy, Full, Funnel-shaped, Gaping, Grim, Handsome, Hungry, Insistent, Irritable, Large, Luscious, Munching, Musty, Perilous, Puckered, Querulous, Relaxed, Resolute, Sardonic, Sensuous, Serious, Slobbering, Small, Sulky, Sweet, Tender, Thin, Wide, Winsome, Wrinkled, Yawning

Neck: Bullnecked, Elegant, Long, Short, Swan-like, Thick

Palm: Broad, Oval, Rectangular, Square

Skin: Acned, Alabaster, Albino, Apricot, Black, Blemished, Blistered, Blooming, Blotchy, Blushing, Bronzed, Cadaverous, Calloused, Caramel, Clear, Craggy, Cream, Ebony, Fair, Flush, Freckled, Glowing, Greasy, Ivory, Jaundiced, Leathery, Lily-white, Lined, Milky, Mottled, Nut-brown, Olive, Pale, Pallid, Pasty, Peeling, Pimpled, Pink, Pitted, Pockmarked, Red, Rosy, Rough, Ruddy, Russet, Sallow, Scabby, Scarred, Smooth, Splotchy, Spotty, Sun-burnt, Tan, Wan, Waxen, White, Wrinkled, Yellow

Stomach: Bulging, Distended, Empty, Firm, Flabby, Flat, Heroic, Hollow, Lean, Paunchy, Protruding, Unbounded

Teeth: Artificial, Black, Blunted, Buck, Canine, Chattering, Clenched, Clinched, Compressed, Crooked, Dagger-like, Dazzling, Decayed, Deciduous, Extracted, False teeth, Feeble, Ferocious, Filed, Flashing, Fluoridated, Foam-laced, Fractured, Gap-toothed, Gleaming, Glistening, Glittering, Gnashing, Goofy, Grinding, Hooked, Horrid, Ivory, Jagged, Lacquered, Large, Milky, Mottled, Neglected, Pearly, Perfect, Pretty, Protruding, Razor-like, Sharp, Shining, Short, Small, Snowy, Sore, Spaced, Straight, Sweet tooth, Tender, Tiny, Toothless, Toothy, Ugly, Unrelenting, White, Wisdom, Wolfish, Yellow

Hope this helps! If it does, do tag me or send me a link to your writing. I'd love to read your work.

More: On Character Development

[numbpill]

RANDOM/SEMI RANDOM COLLECTION OF TILED BACKGROUNDS FOR YOUR WEBSITE / BLOG <3

(ko-fi)

[aquaglow]

Monday morning inspo. 🌼

[nenelonomh]

the basics are important because they form the foundation of our overall well-being. sticking to basic healthy habits like good sleep, nutrition, and exercise creates a stable routine that supports long-term health. focusing on the basics helps prevent many health issues before they start, reducing the need for more complex treatments later. simple practices like staying hydrated and getting enough rest can significantly improve your cognitive function and emotional stability. basic self-care activities, such as taking breaks and connecting with others, help manage stress and prevent burnout. moreover, basic habits are easier to maintain over time, making it more likely you’ll stick with them and see lasting benefits.

[poemsfor-her]

I WANT TO WIN AND I AM GOING TO WIN.

[ricesinspo]

how to develop oc

give them random or nonsensical personality trait or opinion

ask yourself why

think about it too much

congratulations! they now have a tragic backstory

[svdaily]

Get out of the mindset that people are better than you, that you cannot reach their standard, that they are inherently above you. Money, status, confidence, love, these are all attainable and rejecting yourself first from your ideal lifestyle/relationship/self-concept will keep you settling for crumbs. All the greats surpass their own standards and do not concern themselves with conforming to someone else's benchmark. You cannot believe you deserve the best if you can't even imagine your proximity to the best. Believe in an abundance mindset, believe in your efforts, believe you are limitless, believe you are worthy. Believe you have a seat at the table and that any standard that rejects your best effort is a redirection to a better seat, or a better table.

@svdaily

[draculasdaughterrr]

⭒ ⋆ 🩹 random stamps ⋆ฺ࿐🧷⁎˚

[mewcrossing]

the old town of cheesecake island 🍓

[mostlikelytocryonherbirthday]

@NAO_SEYCH: Electric Feeling

[thedeluxedoll]

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Character Development: 50 Questions

What does your character do when they think no one’s looking?

What’s the one thing your character would save in a fire (beyond the necessities)?

Who’s on speed dial?

Your character gets turned down for their dream job. What’s their second choice?

What would they tell their ten-year-old self?

Where would they want to go on a first date?

What’s the best advice they’ve ever received?

What’s the worst advice they’ve ever received?

What’s one physical detail they’d change about themselves?

When was the last time they were held? By who?

What’s their favorite thing about their favorite season?

Their wallet gets stolen. What do they do?

Prioritize: Love, money, power, knowledge?

What’s something nobody knows about them?

What’s in their fridge?

What (creature, object, substance) are they most disgusted by?

What’s their second worst habit?

What are the victory conditions for their life?

In the end, your character fails to save the day. Assuming they survive, what do they do?

Your character is charged with a crime they didn’t commit. What do they do?

Your character is charged with a crime they did commit. What was the crime?

How would you describe your character’s life in one sentence?

What important statistic would they want displayed above them?

What’s the first thing they would buy if they won the lottery?

What profession do they most respect?

What childhood injustice did they never get over?

How would they handle having a panic attack?

Your character is burdened with an inconvenient superpower. What is it?

If they died and could come back as any person, animal, or object, what would they be?

What’s the best meal they’ve ever had?

Where would they stand at a dinner party?

Who would they invite to the dinner party?

What makes a perfect day for your character?

If given the opportunity, would they want to know how and when they died?

What’s the one thing they’ve always wanted to do? Why haven’t they done it yet?

What do they tend to joke about?

What’s off limits?

Whose wedding would they cross the world to attend? Whose funeral?

What impossible choice did they make that turned out to be the right one? The wrong one?

Your character has someone to hype them up. What would they say to get everyone excited about your character?

What recurring dream does your character have?

What is the meaning of life to your character?

What book does your character pretend to have read?

Someone takes undeserved credit for your character’s work. What do they do?

What controversial belief or view does your character hold? Why? Do they hide it?

Your character is at a theme park. Where do they go first?

What’s your character’s favorite name?

What’s the biggest compliment they’d give themselves?

How does your character feel about bugs?

If your character could hit a reset button on their life, would they?

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[numbpill]

RANDOM AND SLIGHTLY UNHINGED- ANOTHER ROUND OF MY ENDLESS FAVICON COLLECTION (this is a sign to req a themed icon post in my asks)

(ko-fi)

[queen-of-disasters-stuff]

“I’m just a girl” >>

[theplotmage]

100 List of Quirks for your Fantasy Characters:

Get character worksheet here!

1. Speaks in ancient or forgotten languages when nervous or emotional.

2. Uses magic unintentionally when upset (e.g., fire bursts when they’re angry, plants grow when they’re sad).

3. Collects rare magical creatures that no one else believes exist.

4. Has a cursed item they’re terrified to part with, even though it brings them bad luck.

5. Refuses to drink water because they prefer enchanted liquids.

6. Draws arcane symbols in the air with their fingers when deep in thought.

7. Can read minds, but only when they sing.

8. Casts spells backwards unintentionally, resulting in unintended consequences.

9. Has an unbreakable bond with a specific animal that no one else can see or communicate with.

10. Can’t touch silver or iron, as it causes them pain or weakness.

11. Stitches or mends their own wounds with enchanted thread to heal faster.

12. Absorbs magical energy from nature, but it causes them to uncontrollably speak to plants or trees.

13. Loses their sense of direction in places where magic is particularly strong.

14. Holds an enchanted mirror that shows them glimpses of alternate realities.

15. Has an ethereal, glowing aura that only appears in moments of extreme emotional stress.

16. Can summon an animal companion, but only one species, and only when they are truly in need.

17. Can’t touch their reflection without losing control over their own magic.

18. Speaks to inanimate objects like they’re alive, especially if they’re enchanted.

19. Can heal others, but it comes at the cost of feeling their pain.

20. Can’t resist collecting powerful artifacts, even if they don’t know what they do.

21. Can temporarily “borrow” someone’s ability, but only for a short time and with chaotic results.

22. Has a hidden, second personality that they can only access in times of intense danger or during sleep.

23. Is allergic to magical substances, causing unpredictable side effects when exposed to enchanted objects.

24. Fears their own powers, often using them sparingly or trying to suppress them.

25. Can only see magic in its purest form, making everything around them seem blurry or dull.

26. Can’t be around strong sources of magic for too long without feeling sick or weak.

27. Is cursed to speak in riddles or rhyme without control.

28. Can summon storms or fire, but only if they’re singing or dancing.

29. Has a magical tattoo that shifts and changes in response to their emotions or actions.

30. Can communicate with the dead, but only through dreams.

31. Has a secretive, invisible “guardian spirit” that follows them, but they can’t see it.

32. Has an odd way of navigating magical realms, like through riddles, puzzles, or specific gestures.

33. Can only use magic through physical objects, like rings, staffs, or enchanted gloves.

34. Believes they are cursed and always wears a charm or talisman to ward off bad luck.

35. Can grow extra appendages or traits (e.g., wings, claws) but only during moments of intense emotion.

36. Tends to get lost in enchanted forests, no matter how well they know the area.

37. Can read ancient texts, but only in their dreams, and the words change every time.

38. Can never speak the truth when they are under the full moon.

39. Has a deep connection with a particular star or constellation, often talking to it for guidance.

40. Always collects feathers, believing they hold magical properties.

41. Is drawn to certain magical places, like specific altars or ancient ruins, for reasons they don’t understand.

42. Can’t lie, but can weave elaborate half-truths or manipulate the truth without realizing.

43. Absorbs the memories of those they touch, which often causes them to act in ways that confuse others.

44. Can control shadows, but the shadows sometimes take on a life of their own.

45. Has a collection of cursed relics, but they keep them hidden away for fear of them causing harm.

46. Has an ancient creature bound to their service, but it’s unpredictable and often mischievous.

47. Talks in their sleep about ancient prophecies or forgotten spells.

48. Can change shape, but only into something they’ve seen before in their dreams.

49. Can sense the emotions of others through touch, but it overwhelms them in crowded spaces.

50. Has an unpredictable magical aura that shifts colors depending on their mood or energy.

51. Can see into the past, but only in fleeting visions that don’t make sense.

52. Accidentally switches between realities when they feel too much stress or anxiety.

53. Can grow plants, but the plants always have strange magical properties.

54. Summons random creatures during moments of anger or fear, which they must immediately try to control.

55. Can manipulate time, but only in small, disorienting ways, like freezing seconds or speeding up moments.

56. Has a cursed heirloom that appears to be an innocuous object but reveals darker powers when used.

57. Refuses to speak their real name, using a nickname that has no apparent origin.

58. Gains new powers with each battle they survive, but the cost is often personal suffering.

59. Has the ability to transform into a mythical creature, but they can’t control when or how it happens.

60. Can’t touch certain sacred objects without them burning or reacting violently.

61. Communicates through dreams and often doesn’t remember what they said after waking up.

62. Has a dark shadow that acts independently, sometimes as a second conscience or mischievous entity.

63. Can only perform magic when they are barefoot, believing the earth must touch them.

64. Constantly collects and studies herbs, believing each one holds a secret magical property.

65. Tends to absorb spells cast at them, either amplifying or reflecting them unintentionally.

66. Is haunted by a prophetic vision that they don’t fully understand.

67. Has a peculiar obsession with fire, either fearing or worshiping it.

68. Can communicate with celestial beings, but they only appear in dreams or moments of intense need.

69. Is connected to a particular elemental force (e.g., wind, earth), and feels its emotions or disturbances in the world.

70. Has a permanent aura of cold or warmth surrounding them depending on their magic.

71. Is terrified of magic despite being one of its strongest users, afraid of losing control.

72. Owns an enchanted mirror that shows a different version of themselves from an alternate timeline.

73. Can turn invisible, but only when they’re standing still and perfectly calm.

74. Has a companion spirit that offers cryptic advice but can never be fully seen by others.

75. Cannot perform magic without speaking in rhyme or using specific words.

76. Can only cast spells during specific moon phases or celestial alignments.

77. Possesses a unique magical artifact that gives them incredible power but also makes them prone to dark impulses.

78. Can resurrect a person, but only once in their lifetime and with severe consequences.

79. Can read someone’s future, but only through a random, seemingly unrelated event.

80. Has an uncontrollable craving for magical food that gives them temporary powers but with a cost.

81. Can summon weapons from thin air, but they always appear in odd or impractical forms.

82. Lives in a pocket dimension, where time and space are bent and distorted around them.

83. Can change the color of their eyes depending on their mood or energy level.

84. Speaks in a forgotten dialect that no one understands except other magical beings.

85. Has the ability to summon storms, but only when they are emotionally unstable.

86. Is always surrounded by a faint, otherworldly hum or energy that others find unsettling.

87. Can travel between realms, but always ends up in the wrong one by accident.

88. Has a mysterious scar that glows with magical energy, the origin of which is unknown.

89. Can raise the dead, but only animals, and they can never be fully revived.

90. Is bound by an ancient oath, limiting their actions and magic, though they often forget the specifics.

91. Has a dark side that they cannot control when under extreme stress, sometimes causing them to act like a villain.

92. Can create illusions, but they always have a twisted, unsettling edge to them.

93. Can communicate through dreams and often uses it to warn others of impending danger.

94. Has an affinity for the dead, able to summon spirits but at the cost of their own health.

95. Can see the threads of fate, but they’re always tangled and difficult to interpret.

96. Has a connection to an ancient god or deity, often seeking their approval or guidance.

97. Can slow or speed up time, but the longer they use it, the more they age prematurely.

98. Can summon and control shadows, but they constantly shift, making it difficult to control them.

99. Has a pet familiar that’s actually a shape-shifting entity from another plane of existence.

100.Is always accompanied by a chorus of distant, haunting voices, making them appear as if they are never alone.