Okay, this is a big one. Like many fantasy worlds, magic is an integral part of The Enigma Drift. I have been struggling with how to properly describe its properties. I think what I want to do is frame this post as a sort of Q&A with myself. Hopefully it comes across as making sense.
Q: How does someone use magic?
A: Consuming refined enigma (the fluid that the world floats in) allows you to shape your will into magical abilities. When consumed, the enigma causes your veins to glow a multicolored aura and you are filled with magical potential. Trained magic users can turn this potential into spells that have no limit other than the experience and skill of the user.
Q: Does everyone in the world have the potential to use magic?
A: Yes! Every living being in the world has at the very least a minimal sensitivity to magic.
Q: How is magic viewed by society as a whole?
A: Broadly, magic is normalized and accepted as a part of life. Some cultures might have different faux pas involving magic, but discrimination or social ostracizing is a rarity.
Q: How do people train in magic?
A: Though mage guilds/ colleges exist, instruction is primarily done through a master and apprentice relationship. In most cases, masters will bring an apprentice up to the point where they can cast basic spells, and then let them develop their skill on their own from there. Using magic is a very individualized process that anything more complicated than that is hard for another person to teach you.
Q: How do people consume enigma to use magic?
A: Every culture has their own favorite way to consume enigma. Some cultures take the refined liquid and drink it right out of a flask. Others will use the refined liquid to create various other ways to consume it. For example, enigma snack bars, enigma cigarettes/cigars, enigma syringes to be injected, enigma powder, enigma gum, etc. As long as the enigma enters your body, the reaction will happen.
Q: How hard is it to get refined enigma?
A: Purchasing refined enigma is usually kept affordable by government subsidies. It is important for your community to have enough skilled magic users to defend itself from danger. You can purchase refined enigma in any city of medium – large size as long as their refinery is in operation. During times of war, these refinery are often the first target of the enemy. This causes the refinery to be one of the most protected building in most cities.
Q: What happens if you consume unrefined enigma?
A: Nothing, you’ll probably just throw up.
Q: What happens if you consume too much refined enigma?
A: Consuming more than you can handle will cause erratic, uncontrollable magic to be produced by your will. It can manifest in your worst ideas, fears, and qualities manifesting into reality.
Hopefully all of these questions lay a good baseline understanding of the magic system going forward. I am really looking forward to detailing how different magic users look in different areas of the world, and how different ideas mix in different ways when The Drift causes these different ways to meet.