Tag: Hard magic
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Exploring the Five Orders: Guardians
No magical secret society would be complete without its dedicated protectors. In the Stonebearer universe these are the Order of the Guardians. Not only do they protect the society’s interests, they also lead its defense in times of war and unrest. In this latest era of the world, they must step forward again to counter…
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Book Review: The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss
There are those books that are just interesting and fun to read and there are those books where you feel something magical has happened. The Name of the Wind is the latter. I read this book a few years ago, but because it’s summer and I’m behind on my normal reading, this was the perfect…
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Exploring the Five Orders: Healers
In the Stonebearer universe there are those who possess a magical power called the Khandashii. This power manipulates matter. Specific abilities and skills are determined by the strengths and talents of the user. Today we explore the Healing order of Stonebearers. What’s the use of magic and the ability to change the reality of the…
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Book Review: Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson
Growing up, I always had a book tucked away with me in my school bag, or violin case, or carry on, or simply stuck under an arm. The epic saga of the Wheel of Time filled in the gaps between classes at high school and during longer orchestra breaks when the second violins had to…
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Exploring the Five Orders: Seekers
The defining characteristic of books in the fantasy genre is the existence of magic and/or magical creatures. Last month, we explored the magic used by the Traveling order in Stonebearer’s Betrayal. This month’s focus is the Order of the Seekers. For many, both in fantastical worlds and also here in the real world, the pursuit…
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Exploring the Five Orders: Travelers
Back in January, I shared a little about the magic system that exists in Stonebearer’s Betrayal. Today I’d like to dive deeper into the magic system and talk more about Travelers. Star Trek fans can appreciate the science and technology surrounding the idea of teleportation and how useful it can be. If you can move…
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“The Magic System Mad Science Experiment” by Ryan Decaria
Magic and Science? It’s my dream come true! When it comes to magic there are two distinct teams. One team cheers for hard magic systems, such as what’s found in Brandon Sanderson’s books, where there are clear rules and limitations. The opposing team cheers for soft or undefined magic, such as what’s found in The…