Sorcerer’s Hat from Fantasia
Welcome to the first official installment of this new thingy. The rules are that there are no rules. Sort of. I think of a topic on the fly and make a post that has 3 questions. You can answer in the comments or answer on your own blog. If you do the latter then please pingback to this post. Hopefully we can get some fun conversations going here. Here we go:
- If ‘Fantasy Style’ magic appeared in our world, do you think it would be a good or bad thing?
- What would you do with your new magical powers or would you even want them?
- How much of a change would the introduction of magic be to our world?
Now I’m leaving the system of magic up to you. There are many out there and everyone has their preference.
Legends of Windemere 
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Tell Charles your answers on his blog 😀
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Thanks for the reblog. 🙂
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Gotta keep you busy Charles – Don’t want you getting Bored 😀 😀 😀
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Yeah. Because I don’t have anything to do. 😛
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EGGSACKERDLY 😀 😀 😀
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Here’s my contribution:
1. If ‘Fantasy Style’ magic appeared in our world, do you think it would be a good or bad thing?
I think that would depend on the type of magic and how readily available it would be. Fire can be very destructive. Someone able to lob fireballs would cause horrible damage. If only a select few had it, the rest of the population would be in trouble if those select few had horrible intentions.
2. What would you do with your new magical powers or would you even want them?
I’d probably fight crime. Hunt down criminal warlords. Pick fights with evil power mongers. But hopefully, they wouldn’t have the power I have!
3. How much of a change would the introduction of magic be to our world?
The change would be huge. Any new source of power would change the dynamic. Wars always have been fought over power. Plus the balance of nature might be thwarted as greedy people gobble up resources or try to manufacture more through the use of magic.
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1. I can’t really give details because I’m leaving it open for these types of questions. By ‘Fantasy Style’ magic, I mean the ability to learn a variety of spells that could include elemental as well as healing, transformation, and other schools. As far as who would get it, I guess it depends on the system.
2. That’s the wrinkle in the question. You’d have to assume that if magic is in the world then it isn’t only in the hands of the good. 🙂
3. Wouldn’t magic be a resource in itself. I’ve wondered if it would replace stuff like oil and electricity, but you’re right that a war would definitely break out. Probably be worse than now.
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The questions are interesting. They are helpful for people who want to write envision the use of magic in a contemporary setting like ours. 🙂
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True. I’ve noticed that a lot of times, magic is hidden in a contemporary setting. For example, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is basically in a different dimension. It’s really hard to mix the two because you can easily go too far one way. Also, many authors go for the ‘fear of magic’ subplot.
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1. It would be fabulous.
2. I would instantly be the boss of everyone – super power deluxe.
3. We could tame the weather and have fairly lights – sounds cool to me.
🙂
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*FAIRY lights* 😛
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#2 sounds like a lot of responsibility.
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Not really – just telling people what to do. And if they don’t, zapping them to planet Wurm.
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What would you do about other people with magic?
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I’d invite them to parties and ply them with champagne, and then have the good guys lock the bad guys in the magic proof cellar while they’re singing along to Madonna.
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An interesting tactic. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Jo Robinson.
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Thanks for the reblog.
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I want it to be good.
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I’m sure it would be to some extent. Magic itself tends to be neutral. It’s the casters that make it good or evil. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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🙂 I feel the magic from the light is stronger.
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ooh, this looks like fun. I’ll do something on my blog and link back. I’m assuming I can tackle it with fiction? 😀
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Sure. Have fun with it.
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Sorry, Charles. I really wanted to write a blog post, and had every intention of doing so, but time got away from me – we’re having a few problems at home. My first thought when I read the question was that it would be a good thing, unless it got out of control, and really, who is going to regulate? It could get ugly! I have no idea what I’d do with magical powers – perhaps control time! It would be nice to freeze the clock every now and again 😀 In terms of the world, I imagine the change would be epic, considering how power hungry some people are without magic!
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I’d actually be terrified of time magic. Too much can go wrong for the caster and the overall world. Stuck between the seconds, aging quicker than everyone else, de-aging by accident, and those are just off the top of my head. You’d need a lot of control and discipline for that.
You have a point about the world and regulation. Somebody is bound to go Voldemort/Saruman/Skeletor on the world.
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I would use the magic, I got, for good in the world, no wars any longer, no hate, no cruelty for men or animals, everyone is living in peace. that would be great, if it would ever possible and happen. But one can try.
So it would be good, for some.
Want them for doing good, or we don’t need them.
Lot’s of change, I would say. Because the world needs lot of change so men can survive.
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For some reason, I’m thinking of ‘The Watchmen’ where peace is made by creating a global threat for humanity to unite against. Not great for whoever takes the role for the threat though.
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I think it would be bad. The power struggles to control it, or those magically blessed would be huge.
I’d be a complete jerk about it. I’d sell snake oil cures, and reserve my magic until my plot demanded I step outside the box.
I think it would be a huge change in the world. Those without would band together for witch hunts. Being the unenhanced is scary.
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Sadly, I think I’d have to agree with you. At least with the current mentality of society. Then again, there might be some groups out there who wouldn’t abuse it. I’m curious what you would use your magic for if you’re doing snake oil cures.
Not sure the witch hunts would go in the hunter’s favor this time. Though it probably depends on the type of magic they’re against.
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I’d be one of those abusive anti heroes. Preying upon society for personal gain, particularly the vain. When I saw something that tugged at my personal moral code, I would step out of the shadows.
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Trying to think of a good example of that. Modern anti-heroes seem to be more ‘good guy with violent actions’.
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Maybe I’m just stuck on them after my last really big project. The Punisher, perhaps? He didn’t have any thieving tendencies though. I need some of this for one of my outlines too, so I’m still stuck on it.
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He didn’t really use people, but I think that’s best we can find. Maybe Rorschach from Watchmen too?
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I still need to do some thinking about that story, but I’m getting closer. I want my guy to be somewhat prickly, but capable of doing the right thing.
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Kind of like a hero who has terrible social skills? I think I got an anti-hero that really skirts the edges of morality. The Eddie Brock version of Venom when he was the Lethal Protector.
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I like Eddie. For some reason I just got a flashback to a Batman character named Joe Potato. He was nothing like Eddie, but the name just jumped out at me.
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I don’t know much beyond the basics and the Knightfall event with Batman. For some reason I liked the cartoons more than the comics. Can’t find any quick info on Joe Potato.
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Awesome! I’m gonna make this my Friday post on WBW! I have the perfect idea/answer! 😀
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Cool. Have fun with it.
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I’m actually writing it RIGHT NOW–I think I’ll post it tomorrow! 🙂
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Wow the thoughts that are running through my head…and then Mrs sensible puts her twopenneth into the mix….I think I would just want the power to calm people down and chill….no more wars 🙂
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That seems to be a popular one. Though I’m starting to wonder if there’s a dark fringe to that. After thinking all day about it, I kind of think that type of magic is a little villainous as well. Only because it’s highly manipulative of the minds and emotions of others, so it sort of removes free will. For the good of humanity, of course.
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Sussed! Only from those who I don’t like could be fun..ha ha
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This sounds fun. Okay, I’ll bite:
1. Fantasy style magic in our world would bring us back into the dark ages. Can you imagine magic falling in the wrong hands? Disaster is all I can think!
2. If I had magical powers, and I’m not sure if I’d like them, more than likely I would, I’d turn Africa into a jungle, climate change would then bring a more predictable weather pattern and the rain would be our friend than what it is now–storm upon storm upon storm.
3. The world would change. As I’d mentioned in #1, in the wrong hands, this would would become desolate. But in the right hands, I’m sure we wouldn’t have to worry much about lack of food, shelter and jobs.
IMHO.
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1. True. Even in the right hands, you could have a lot of destruction when they fight the wrong hands. Our species really are a bunch of children that shouldn’t be trusted with safety scissors much less magic.
2. Interesting. Although I think some of the non-jungle regions and its animals would take offense. 😉 I do like the idea though. I’d probably try to magically control the weather directly.
3. Probably end up being a war before anything else.
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Regarding your point for #1: The human compulsion to self-annihilate never ceases to amaze me. Children running with scissors, indeed.
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It’s almost like we’re programmed to go boom. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Charles E Yallowitz has come up with a new challenge.. three questions on a random topic.. so what would you do with newly endowed magical powers!!! My answers would be – I think there is already ‘fantasy style’ magic in our world but not all of us recognise that. If I had magical powers I would start in my immediate surroundings by putting a protective ring around the people I love and then move out from there. Even magical powers cannot change everything overnight but given time…. and three.. magic is out there and if recognised and embraced by the majority could change the whole direction this world is currently travelling…. How about you? Head over and add your views…
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Thanks for the reblog. Interesting answer. I like how you’re going for the gradual effect instead of the immediate one.
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If I was 30 years younger Charles I probably would have leapt in and stormed the castle… X
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That always seems to be messy though. Probably best to do it slow and secret. 🙂
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I love some of the comments on here, Charles. What a fun idea.
1. If ‘Fantasy Style’ magic appeared in our world, do you think it would be a good or bad thing? Good – it would be a boomerang spell. Do unto others as you want done unto you, because that’s what’s going to happen!
2. What would you do with your new magical powers or would you even want them? I’ll take any magical powers I can get my grubby hands on.
3. How much of a change would the introduction of magic be to our world? Huge and awesome. 😀
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Thanks. I like the idea of magic having a karmic boomerang. It would certainly make people be more careful with it.
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1) If ‘Fantasy Style’ magic appeared in our world, do you think it would be a good or bad thing?
Both. Magical healing would be a tremendous benefit to society, as would things like weather control to end droughts. But the more destructive and sneaky spells would have the potential to destabilize societies or would allow tyrants to spy more freely on their people.
2) What would you do with your new magical powers or would you even want them?
I would use them for the common good. And flying would be my new hobby! Maybe I would make it my job to patrol airports and cast spells on wayward drones so the operator got a small zap for being irresponsible.
3) How much of a change would the introduction of magic be to our world?
It would be like computers — it would change everything. Some events would be huge and important, but many smaller changes would come upon us almost unnoticed.
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1. I actually got to talking about someone about healing magic in the real world. It would definitely cure a lot of diseases, but my friend argued that it would end up being monopolized for money like medical cures. Rather cynical, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Then again, you could easily have people learning the magic and using it free of charge like clinics.
2. Curious if there would be any drones. Seems easier to use scrying spells. 🙂
3. Good point. What would a magical computer do? Though I guess it wouldn’t need a battery and Internet would be achieved from any location.
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I got my answers posted to my site.
http://wp.me/p5HYzX-an
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What fun!
1) For heaven’s sake I thought you were part of the initiated., there is magic in the world already, always has been, always will be. 2) What do you want a Haynes “how to” manual? I can’t reveal that level of information. 3) Look around, really look, lift the rock of life and see whats already there.
Just kidding. Well sort of! xxx
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I’ve tried to cast fireballs and lightning bolts. Nothing happened. So I’m guessing the magic in this world isn’t at the ‘fantasy level’ strength of books. 😉
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