Looking for critiques of my magic system
The basics of my magic system are fairly well fleshed out in my head I think? The troubles come in trying to explain it in a concise way, and there are definitely some gaps that I've probably overlooked. This is an attempt to break down the basics into something comprehensible, and I'm curious to know if it makes any sense or if there are any obvious problems I'm missing. Is it compelling or intriguing? Are there any changes that might benefit it?
It might be notable that this is a sort of meta version of the explanation, inhabitants of the world (Gaia) do not have the full picture, so it looks softer and more mystical from the inside. I'm very torn between a fairytale high fantasy vibe and a more political low fantasy vibe, and I try to get both of those out of it by having the availability of magic wax and wane through periods of time
Magic basics
Magic is an intangible substance, it cannot be observed or interacted with in any meaningful way via the physical body or senses, it can only be observed or sensed via magical senses. If you are seeing "magic", then what you are seeing is not the magic itself, but the percentage of it that converts into matter/energy (including visible light) upon introduction to reality.
The most important functions of magic are its ability to bind to itself, to create chains encoding information, and the ability to convert into matter/energy (and vise versa). This ability is the basis for magic usage such as spells, and for the construction of souls and spirits.
In the context of this worldbuilding the word "fae" is synonymous with magic. The fae realm is the primary body of magic in existence, overlapping with reality(the physical world), but separated from it by a layer of bonded magic, known as the veil. The fae realm is not a physical place, or accessible in a physical sense. It's easiest to comprehend as similar to the Internet. Not a physical space, but a collection of information. Anything that enters the fae realm converts into magic (data), and when magic enters reality it begins converting into matter/energy.
Fae spirits, the inhabitants of the fae realm, are beings made of magic, which could be compared to programs, and may gain physical forms via possession of a material host.
All living things (even plants and microscopic organisms) have souls. A soul is a conduit(with associated networks) that connects an organism to the fae realm. The conduit of the soul allows the exchange of information between the experiencing mind (stored in the fae realm) and the body/brain in reality, especially the nervous system when applicable (it works differently between different sorts of organisms, such as colonial organisms sharing collective souls).
In order to interact with magic, a physical organism must be magically awakened (becoming a mage), a process which alters the soul and gives an individual more control and awareness of it. Since the soul is made of magic, it can be used to perceive and influence magic. The mind is just normally blocked from awareness of the soul (because it's not really safe). Awakenings can happen a couple different ways, most typically when the soul is used as a catalyst for a veil tear (When magic pools in the fae realm until it tears through and pours into reality), or via a deal with a fae spirit.
• some extra stuff that gives a picture of the world and inhabitants:
Fairfolk are human lineages descending from the host of a fae spirit who was altered by it in a way that allowed the magically altered traits to be passed on to offspring. Fairfolk are not inherently magical, they are still physical creatures so they must be magically awakened like any other organism: Elven fair, Eden Fair, Orcs, Dwarves, etc
Fairies (name pending) are lineages like fairfolk, but they do not originate from humans and cannot hybridize with them under normal circumstances: Goblins, Harpies, Pixies, Unicorns, Dragons, etc
Fae beasts are not species but individual occurrences, the result of a fae spirit taking on a physical host and altering it so it is genetically distinct. They may or may not retain the ability to reproduce, and those who can may start their own fair lineage. Because they are the host of a fae spirit, they are inherently magical: Proto Elves, Trolls, Changelings, the Sphinx, etc
Cardinal fae (or greater fae) are fae spirits which are born from the mass perception of a concept. Human perception creates magic, similar magic likes to clump together. It bonds and grows in complexity until it forms a fae spirit, and eventually perhaps a Deity: The Solarian (sun god. depicted in the first image, visage projected on the walls of its temple via a crystalline artifact), Nox (the night sky), Luna (the moon, depicted in image 7), Terran bodies, death, the Ocean, etc.
- Images 2-4 are diagrams attempting to depict some magic system basics
- Image 5 depicts some common types of wisps (the most common form of fae spirit)
- Image 6 depicts a person caught in a moderately large veil tear