FREE HARD MAGIC PDF Larry Correia | 560 pages | 08 May 2012 | Baen Books | 9781451638240 | English | Riverdale, United States Hard Magic | Grimnoir Chronicles Wiki | Fandom There are two main types of magic systems within the fantasy genre: hard magic systems and soft magic systems. Learning the defining characteristics of these two categories of magic systems will help you to better understand this fundamental aspect of fantasy. In this article, we will be investigating the precise similarities and Hard Magic between a hard magic system vs a soft a magic system. The main differentiating factor between a hard magic system and a soft magic system is how strict and definitive the magical rules are within the fictional universe. Hard magic systems must conform to a concrete set of laws, whereas soft magic systems loosely follow an abstract series of guidelines. This is the gist of what separates hard magic systems and soft magic systems. However, Hard Magic are some additional comparative aspects and peculiar caveats to consider. These finer details will be discussed later on in the article. Before we dive any further into the intricacies that separate hard and soft magic systems, it is necessary to understand what exactly these terms mean. A model example of a hard magic system Hard Magic the drafting system in the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks. In this system, all of the magic in Hard Magic fictional world is harnessed from the power of light. Furthermore, magical users, better known as drafters Hard Magic Lightbringer terminology, are also limited in the colors of light they can draw power from. Certain drafters can only draw power from green light, Hard Magic other drafters can only draw power from blue light. Drafters are also limited in how much magic they can produce. Every use of magic drains a bit of sanity from the drafter. The more magic a drafter produces, the closer they creep to hysteria. The set of hard Hard Magic fast rules that regulate the light drafting Hard Magic system guide how every magical element is Hard Magic and utilized throughout the novel. Now that we know the basics of what a hard magic system, let us take a look at what a soft magic system is. A standard example of a soft magic system is the supernatural discipline of naming in The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. The rules governing this central branch of the overarching magic system are vague at best. Very little is known about this realm of magic except for a select few individuals. Some individuals even believe naming to be mere folklore. All that is known of naming is that each object in the universe has a true name. When Hard Magic true name is spoken by a magical user, they are able to wield immeasurable power over this specific object. Nobody knows for sure if this magic has any sort of bounds. A magical user that speaks the true name of an element of nature can virtually bend the world to their will Hard Magic just one word. These ambiguous, transcendental guidelines leave the door open for endless magical possibilities. There is a major caveat that must be taken into account prior to delving into the explicit details of a hard magic Hard Magic vs a soft magic system… and that is the hybrid magic system. True hard Hard Magic soft magic systems are an anomaly in the fantasy genre. More often than not, the typical magic systems that are employed in fantasy novels are considered hybrid magic systems. Soft magic systems incorporate subtle elements of hard magic systems. Likewise, hard magic systems may contain aspects that would typically fall under soft magic systems. Consequently, it is far more beneficial to think of hard and soft magic systems on a differential spectrum as opposed to simply one or another. There are a few commonalities between hard magic systems and soft magic systems. These characteristics are universal to all fantastical magic systems, regardless of how strict or definitive the magical laws are. It is standard for hard and soft magic systems to have an illustrious backstory that explains when and where magic came from. The specific details of the magical history differs from novel to novel. Certain authors elect to preserve an aura of mystery about the origins of the magic system. Other authors prefer to reveal every minor detail that may help to uncover the roots of magic. The historical attribute of Hard Magic systems adds a layer of depth and complexity that could not be attained otherwise. This additional detail benefits both hard and soft magic systems. An extensive past hints that magic existed in the world long before the current time period. This emphasizes to the reader that the magical world extends beyond what they see through the eyes of the protagonists. The magical world is not simply just what is around them, there are other magical users and supernatural capabilities that the reader may not even know about. Either way, the extensive history Hard Magic the magic system is almost always addressed regardless of whether the magic is hard or soft. Authors rarely leave this area up for interpretation because then there Hard Magic be no repercussions for the use Hard Magic magic. A lack of magical vulnerabilities would communicate the wrong message to readers. Readers Hard Magic assume magical users to be invincible because there was no mention of any limitations that would be able to hold them back. Magical invincibility never bodes well in Hard Magic because then there would be no conflict. There must be flaws and weaknesses present within the magic system to allow for some sort of struggle. Fantasy Hard Magic make the extra effort to address this issue to avoid giving readers this false impression. They want their audience to know that the story does indeed have magical conflict. This writing guideline applies regardless of whether the magic system is Hard Magic or soft. Magical strife is a necessary anchor for all magic systems, no matter the category. Another shared attribute between hard and soft magical systems is explicitly addressing who the Hard Magic users are. This is an important point to discuss because it establishes a precedent for how and why certain characters within the narrative wield magic. Authors must distinctly point out who the magical users are in a narrative or the reader Hard Magic easily lose track of crucial plot sequences. For instance, during action sequences when magical users are engaging in supernatural combat techniques, it is important for the reader to note who is capable of wielding magic. If the reader is left in the dark as to which characters possess supernatural powers, it is going to be extremely challenging for the reader to follow what exactly is happening. Magical users must be explicitly identified to distinguish which characters are which. It is also typical to address the relationship between the magical user and the magic itself in both Hard Magic and soft magic systems. In certain fantasy novels, magical users can change the nature of the magic in the universe itself. For instance, a magical user who is skilled in the practice of dark magic may begin to change the very fabric of magic to suit more evil purposes and limit the use of magic for the greater good. Conversely, the relationship can work the other way. Rather than magical users reforming the essence of magic in the world, the exploitation of magic could influence the individual user. For example, if a magical user overextends their magical capabilities, a direct effect may be physical fatigue or mental unconsciousness. The bottom line is that all of these elements listed above are universal to Hard Magic hard and soft structures of magic. There is some distinctive criteria that is Hard Magic to categorize hard and soft magic systems. Some of these criteria are referenced more than others. Nonetheless, all of these criteria will be illustrated in the subsequent paragraphs. This is the most glaring point of differentiation between hard Hard Magic soft magic systems. It is what the majority of fantasy writers and readers first reference when determining how a magic system should be labeled. Hard magic systems definitively lay out all of the governing laws of how magic is created and used. There are very few loopholes, if any, in this type of magic system. The purpose of laying out the magic Hard Magic in this way is to present the reader Hard Magic all of the facts. The airtight organization of this type of magic Hard Magic confusion, allowing the reader to fully grasp the essence of the supernatural elements within the fictional universe. Soft magic, on the other Hard Magic, does not state any explicit laws that govern magic because there may not be any definitive Hard Magic in place. The Hard Magic behind soft magic is more conceptual than factual. The purpose of this type of magic is to leave the prospect of future magical possibilities open-ended. It is more unpredictable and mystical this way. This is the whole draw of soft magic systems. Although this mystery does have its benefits, the lack of conclusive direction has a greater potential to lead readers astray. Some of the indescribable magical powers found within the soft Hard Magic system are just that. Curious readers may find these inexpressible magical powers frustrating if they are unable to wrap their heads around the concept. In addition, these two magic systems differ in the reasoning provided for magical creation and use. Hard magic systems must adhere to a rigid line of logic.