If you are a fan of magic systems like I am, you’ll enjoy this guest post from magical fantasy author Vanessa Finaughty. Vanessa is doing a blog tour to promote her new Wizard of Ends series, and she agreed to share a bit about her magic system with my readers here at the Vaetra Files.
You can learn more about the first two books of the Wizard of Ends series below Vanessa’s article. Enjoy!
Magic Systems in Wizard of Ends
by Vanessa Finaughty
In Wizard of Ends, magic is fairly commonplace and accepted as a normal part of society. The only law that applies to only magic users is that each has to wear a wizard’s medallion, so named after the wizard who invented it. This is to prevent a random drunkard or brawler from starting a fight with a magic user, which could easily end in the attacker’s death.
There are many types of magic users in this world, and the ones I’ve introduced in the first two books include wizards, sorcerers, witches, Druids and necromancers. Many of them have the same capabilities, but differ in some ways. For example, wizards and sorcerers are able to manipulate reality with the power of their minds, but some wizards also have the gift of foresight and specialise in magical objects, whereas sorcerers can also conjure magical creatures and follow magic to its route in order to undo it. A wizard can do the latter too, but only if guided by a sorcerer.
There is an infinite amount of magical energy in existence, but most of it is inaccessible to humans. This means there is a limited amount that the universe can give, so, the more frequently magic is used, the faster it is depleted in the user. A period of ‘rest from magic’ is then required in order to build up the magical energy again.
All magic users are born that way, but no one knows why some people are born with the ability to harness magical energy and others are not. Used too frequently, aggressive magic affects the wielder instead of the intended victim, but this does not deter some. Wizard of Ends main character, Lashlor Leaflin, believes that abusing magic will result in the goddess turning you away in the afterlife, and that it changes a person irreversibly – and not in any good way. All magic users can see auras. Strong emotion changes the colour of auras, they can be tracked by magic users and magical creatures, and usually dissipate within an hour or two.
Spells are used by some to perform magic, while all others need is a strong mind, a flick of the wrist or knowledge of the Old Language, which is power in itself. Objects such as crystal balls or enchanted items are also sometimes used, along with herbs and other easily obtainable items.
The world in Wizard of Ends is filled with magical anomalies, such as the loci, which have a vague silver hue and cause nightmares in anyone within their sphere of influence. Then there are the disruption fields, which are natural occurrences that disrupt the use of magic and are only visible to magic users. They can be found in many places, but usually only cover small areas.
There are plenty more details that flesh out the Wizard of Ends magic system, but let’s leave a little something for those who haven’t read the books yet. I hope you enjoyed this post!
Wizard of Ends
Book 1 of the Wizard of Ends Series
When Lashlor Leaflin offers to escort Queen Narraki Dragonsbane to the Jeltar Woods, he’s unwittingly caught up in a magical adventure of the type he would rather not have.
The sorceress Assassa believes the Land of Ends to be rightfully hers, but King Lanaran refuses to hand over his crown. In retaliation, the sorceress conjures creatures of darkness to hunt the queen and end her life. Lashlor helps where he can, but it isn’t easy when the Guards of Ends who protect the queen believe him to be false.
A confrontation with Assassa will be the death of him, Lashlor is certain. However, the king insists on his help and it soon becomes apparent that he may have no choice.
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Dark Creature
Book 2 of the Wizard of Ends Series
Escorted by soldiers of Ends, Lashlor sets out to find an old flame, Rune Arcana, the only person who can help to remove the curse placed on the Queen of Ends. Lashlor believes that Rune currently resides in the Mountains of Eclador – a place from which no one has returned in all of recorded history. She could refuse his request. She could be dead. Lashlor and his companions could meet the same fate.
If they do not brave the mountains, however, Queen Narraki will remain in the form of a rabid creature of darkness… forever.
Forever is a long time, and King Lanaran fears the Wizard of Ends will not return. Ignoring Lashlor’s advice not to meddle with the curse, the king employs other magic users to attempt to undo the dark magic.
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About Vanessa Finaughty
Vanessa Finaughty is an author of many genres who now focuses on fantasy and science fiction. She’s published 15 books, of which 6 are fantasy. Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and still lives there with her husband of fifteen years, her baby daughter and plenty of furry, four-legged ‘children’.
Vanessa has always been passionate about books, and knew from a young age that she wanted to write them one day. She loves animals, coffee and the smell of wet grass, and hates liars, sweltering weather and long queues. Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, mythology, aliens and outer space, ancient history, life’s mysteries and martial arts, of which she has five years’ experience.
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