Magic in the Orthoverse - a soft system that allows for diverse (but balanced) wizards

The Three Tenets

• MOTIF THROUGH PERCEPTION

  all magic cast by an individual relates back to their erroneous perception of the world

• FOCUS THROUGH EMOTION

  the immediate effect of magic is determined by one's immediate emotional state

• POWER THROUGH LIMITATION

  the more one can theoretically do, the less one can actually do

Derivations of Motif

• The Law of Validation

  it is hard to change motifs because magic will empirically confirm one's beliefs

• The Law of Mundanity

  one never perceives their own magic as out-of-the-ordinary

• The Law of Culture

  one's motif is heavily influenced by their upbringing and developmental environment

Derivations of Focus

• The Law of Consistency

  the same emotional state will produce the same magical effect

• The Law of Complexity

  one's mind is so intricate that deliberately reproducing an emotional state is nigh impossible

• The Law of Ritual

  one may trick themselves into reproducing an emotional state through use of mnemonics, ritual, and mental formulae

Derivations of Power

• The Law of Specialists

  some mages cultivate creativity, finding multiple uses for a single strong effect

• The Law of Generalists

  some mages cultivate versatility, compiling a broad arsenal of low-power effects

• The Law of Rationale

  the most powerful magician is one entirely confident in their absolute ignorance