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Brandon Sanderson / Re: Alloy of Law (Chapter 4)
« on: July 28, 2011, 04:10:48 PM »
I guess it's obvious enough but "Lord Mistborn" = Spook?
"Magic is what makes fantasy fantastic," someone says, "you can't apply rules to them or else it loses wonder!" I respond, "Sure, but if you want to write them you will certainly want to know how they work." Writing is all about execution, and I find applying some basic laws of physics to magic systems make them more understandable and realistic. Here, I'm going to outline my basic method for developing a magic system.
Column by Chaos2651
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QuoteCertainly Dalinar is special in some way - after all, he's been reliably getting visions/messages from the Almighty for some time now. Of course, he may not be unique in this - others may be getting them now, or got them in the past.
There is other getting them as well- or at least one other:
Chapter 66-
“That chanting, that singing, those rasping voices.”
Kaktach 1173, 16 seconds pre-death. A middle-aged potter. Reported seeing strange dreams during highstorms during the last two years.
Shardblades are exceptionally light.
My guess is that this relates to the Cognitive realm, and that aspect of the powers. When you say something, you also think it; you think it *very* clearly. Kind of like Awakening. You have to say something to Awaken, you have to say it correctly, but you also have to think it very clearly. The Words may be some similar concept; a focus for something that has much deeper meanings and connections to Shadesmar.
I like the idea of a contract, of Kaladin binding himself to a mission he has always dedicated his life to. It sounds like the kind of thing Honor would like.
- The number 10 is obviously a major theme of the series. However, the appendix hints at 10 further magic systems beyond the first 10 that we are starting to learn about. So 20 in total. Also, looking at the 20 traits associated with the 10 numbers (each herald has 2 traits, which are similar in theme) gives us 20 again. Little to go on for now, though.
On the topic of Elhokar, might Shalan try currying his favor by showing him how he can visit the Shadesmar? Might she try to get him to marry her so she can save her house and family? Might Adolin then be pissed because he finally started REALLY liking a girl, and then she goes flirty with the King?
For what it's worth, though, the idea of spirits in various things is hardly original to the Codex Alera.
For a real-world, modern example, see the Shinto faith of Japan with its associate kami.