Vivi from FF9
The awkward subject of ‘Forbidden Magic’ turns up from time to time in Legends of Windemere. So far these spells have turned up by accident with the effect ranging from devastating to mild. At least for the casters behind the enchantments. Nyx and Trinity have each been pushed to their limits and lashed out with one of these banned spells, which have very good reasons for being sealed by the gods. What are the most common reasons?
- Spell is so powerful that it could unbalance Windemere.
- Spell is so powerful that it could wipe out an entire species.
- Spell can destroy the world if done incorrectly.
- Spell can be used against the gods.
This isn’t an uncommon thing with fantasy stories. Some worlds even have all of magic listed as a forbidden art. The idea of taboo goes hand-in-hand with magic pretty easily since it’s not something we find in our world. Banned spells can be seen as a piece of reality in fantasy since they’re too wicked or unbelievable for that world. Many times they’ll be the center of an adventure because the villain wants to unleash it or the heroes need it to save the day. For example, FFX involves gathering summoned monsters to gain the strength for an ancient spell that will defeat an approaching evil. One thing that always stays consistent is that there is an impact on the story and/or history of the fictional world.
Now, Windemere is a very magical world, so there are fewer off-limits enchantments. The system that keeps them locked up is fairly simple too. Gola the Magic Goddess has created global enchantments that activate if someone attempts a forbidden spell. There isn’t a flash of light or anything violent. The caster merely makes a mistake or has second thoughts. It has happened enough that all of these spells have fallen into legend. This also prevents the spells from being reinvented by someone who is unaware of their existence. One would think this goes against the Law of Influence, but it falls into a neutral area for the sake of Windemere.
It’s really a delicate subject to work with because you need to think of the spell from various angles. Not only the effect it will have and the reason it’s needed, but where it fits into the world’s history. Why did this spell get sealed? What major events lead to its creation? Let me use the GENOCIDE spell from Prodigy of Rainbow Tower as a simple example:
- Where did it originate from? During the ancient Race War of Windemere. It was created to be used on a city and eliminate an entire race. If you wanted to kill all dwarves without hurting the other species then you say ‘dwarves’ during the casting. All of them will drop dead in the ensuing wave. Truly one of the most horrifying creations in Windemere’s history.
- Why did this spell get sealed? The gods sealed it because of its destructive capability and saw it as a jumping point for worse. Imagine a spell unleashed on the entire world that eliminates an entire race. This could even lead to a spell with the power to wipe out the gods. It had to go and many casters consider it a dark spot on every school of magic, including necromancy.
Some forbidden spells are more complicated than this, but I hope this gets the point across. These are no joke and will appear from time to time in all of the Windemere series due to the world’s chaotic history. In fact, The Spirit Well (aiming to be out in December) may have a few juicy banned spells turning up. Though the first release of next year, Ritual of the Lost Lamb, will definitely have this. Guess we’re getting into the big guns as we race to the grand finale.
Legends of Windemere 
Very cool. You could weave in some militaristic debate about collateral damage. How much is acceptable? Do the ends justify the means? Lots of good tension here.
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It comes up at times when the spells appear. Though, I don’t know how often they’ll be used since they’re locked. You would need either a god, high-powered demon, special chosen, or a very powerful channeler to break the wards. Guess we know which current characters have this on their bucket list. 🙂 The militaristic usage is probably the most common reason for sealing too. It would be like if we realized how terrible nukes were and locked all of them in an inaccessible vault along with everything used to make them. Not a very good analogy there.
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I was very intrigued with the genocide spell and the consequences of using it. I thought it was well well done.
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Thanks. If things can keep going then I might get to the story that involves its first use one day.
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🙂
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Your creativity in creating these spell is awesome, Charles. A genocide spell? Sounds a bit like a twist on a neutron bomb…
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It’s something that gets accidentally unleashed in one of my books. It was created to wipe out a specific race within a city. Sealed by the gods for obvious reasons.
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You really have a huge world! Love the notion of forbidden magic and its consequences. I can understand the need to seal off that genocide spell.
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I think 2 more show up throughout the series. Maybe 3, but I’ll have to double check that at some point. It’s fun creating spells with a shaky history.
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Have you considered a spell that would destroy everything? It could be used as a threat to a great evil. The caster would just threaten to destroy everything in the world, I doubt many villains would be willing to see everything (including themselves) destroyed.
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Not really. It’s been done before and you point out the biggest flaw. Most villains want to live. Another issue I always have with a spell like this is the testing phase. How do people know this thing works since it’s a one time use? The closest thing I have is a rumor that Windemere can be changed entirely if an ancient being awakens and hates what he sees.
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I shudder at the thought of such a spell existing in our world. Humans would probably using it without thinking twice to get rid of, say, the orcs. Oh, wait…
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It’s like a precision nuke if you think about it. Everyone picks on the poor orcs. This is why so many of their youngsters turn to a life of banditry.
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I know. They’re just misunderstood, the poor things. All my goblin friends agree on this.
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Goblins get it even worse. Elves would have the same problem if they were considered ugly. Nobody ever assumes an elf is being evil until they’re cackling in front of a cauldron of death.
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I’ve had that happen to me once. Highschool’s not for the weak.
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Never trusted those pep rallies.
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Very creative!!
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Thanks. 🙂
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This is a very cool idea, Charles – I like how complex and well-thought out your Windermere series is (at least from the bits I’ve read so far) 🙂
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Thanks. This is one of the fun parts that I don’t get to use often.
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It’s definitely fun, and has a lot of potential, too 🙂
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