This Concept Corner is going to be a little different from the others. I don't have a story idea - not a concrete one - but I do have an idea for a magic system. As I've stated before, I'm a big fan of Brandon Sanderson, and the magic systems that he creates are often bound to rules and created with flaws and limitations to make them seem more real (for example, Allomancy requires metal to burn, the amount of metal you have determines how much power you can throw around, and most people can only burn one metal). Inspired by this, I came up with a magic system of my own.
Concept Corner #10 - Spheres and Chakras
In the setting of this particular story - I imagine it taking place in a world inspired by feudal Asia, predominantly China - people can use the energy from their chakras for a variety of different effects. Chakra energy is drawn from the body using small metal spheres resembling Baoding balls - small metal balls spun in the palm of the hand for exercise and meditation. There are a number of different types of spheres, but they can be divided into two major categories: directory and inert.
Directory spheres are constructed out of a relatively fragile metal and decorated with certain patterns using a special type of paint. The color on the sphere determines the chakra drawn from, while the pattern determines the exact effect. Inert spheres have no such patterns, and are constructed from a much more durable metal. Spinning spheres involves at least one of each type of sphere - otherwise you will receive no effect.
Spheres are spun by holding them in the palm of the hand and rotating them around each other. At this time, the directory spheres draw energy from the body's chakras, which is then drawn into the inert sphere. The inert sphere can then be used in many ways: a throwing weapon, a healing device, and a means of predicting the future are only a few possibilities. This process is tiring on the body, due to draining energy directly from it, but training can be undergone to strengthen the chakra and therefore the body; this also allows for even more energy to be used, strengthening the effects further.
I have a vague idea for the setting of this story - something feudal Asia-based, like I said, perhaps with some Buddhist elements. I imagine different families would have access to different patterns - which must be drawn painstakingly for them to work - and that different castes of people would be trained in different uses of the art. Outside of that, I'm still putting it together. I'm not huge on writing political stories (I don't have the mind for it), so this wouldn't be coming for a long time. Someday, hopefully.
Interesting. You seem to have a wealth of background knowledge underlying a lot of your ideas.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I don't understand all these things, but you seem to have very interesting ideas.
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