Magic System - Imprinting

[Lindel he/him]

Here's a magic system that's been on my mind recently, so I thought I'd share. It's a more recent system. I only got the initial concept for this about three days ago, so it's still pretty rough. Anyway, without further ado, here it is. 

 

The basic premise behind Imprinting is simple. Sketch lines with a brush that take on a physical shape in the air. As an object is Traced, it is visible, but completely intangible. Once Imprinted, however, it takes on a solid form, appearing as a physical object of black ink. An Imprinted object is quite durable, but also exceptionally light. All Imprints follow these rules, but there are five subsets that have their own unique properties.

 

The first type is a Basic Imprint. A Basic Imprint behaves exactly as an ordinary object, dropping to the ground if it was Imprinted midair, and it's able to be handled like any other object.The second is a Directional Imprint. Directional Imprints are very similar to Basic Imprints, but are given a single direction and a speed upon Imprinting, and it instantly hurls itself in that direction and the desired speed. A simple application of a directional Imprint is a bullet. One simply draws a single dot, Imprints it as a Directional Imprint traveling at high speeds toward your desired target.The third is a Static Imprint, which remains in exactly the same location upon Imprinting. A Static Imprint will not budge from its location, event under tremendous amounts of force. A simple application of a Static Imprint might be a makeshift ladder. Draw a rung, step up, draw the next. Repeat.

 

The fourth type of Imprint is called a Bound Imprint. A Bound Imprint bestows all the qualities of one of the other three types of Imprints upon a preexisting object. The binding between the Imprint and the bound object is virtually inseparable. The Imprint itself will give out long before the connection. As with ordinary Imprints, there are three subtypes of Bound Imprints. A Basic Bound Imprint simply serves as an extension to the bound object. You know those annoying paper grocery bags with no handles? Just add a couple Imprinted handles of your own. Problem solved! A Directional Bound Imprint bestows all the properties of a Directional Imprint onto the object it is bound to. Pick up a rock, smear some ink on it, and send it flying at someone's face. The last of the Bound Imprints, Static Bound Imprint, again, bestows the qualities of an ordinary Static Imprint on the bound object. For example, a valuable object could be locked in place to guard against theft, or a lantern could be suspended midair. 

 

The fifth and final type of Imprint is called a Fluid Imprint. Fluid Imprints are generally considered fairly useless. They behave much like a Basic Imprint, but they don't hold their shape. They can be molded like clay, and bend under any amount of pressure. Other than the fact that you can change it up after Imprinting (as can anyone else), there's really no practical reason you'd use a Fluid Imprint rather than a Basic. 

 

Hopefully I haven't bored you out of your storming mind. If I have, don't blame me. You're the one who went ahead read the entire thing.

 

Anyway, obligatory self-deprecation aside, what do you think? Any and all questions, suggestions, and critiques are welcome! (Unless you really are just bored, in which case I highly recommend evacuating until I get the hang of injecting humor into the description.)    

[Haradion Drogon]

I love this magic system. Kinda reminds me of elements of Elantris, Black Prism, The Rithmatist, and "Scribble-naughts".

 

It looks really cool - and yet, I can already see some pretty cool limitations. You are limited in moving parts - Ie., you can make a bullet, but not a gun, so no summoning of tanks in the middle of a knife fight.

 

I have a few questions:

 

Is there anyway to dispell another's imprint?

Is there a limit to the number of imprints one can make?

Presumably, the "Brush" isn't a literal brush, but a tool of some other significance. Is there only one type of Brush

 - > Can different brushes create different imprints?

Do imprints last long?

 

Is an imprinted object visibly different?

Is there any benefit to using the real object over an imprinted imitation?

 

 

 

 

Have you read Sanderson's Three Laws? How have these influenced your decisions?

[Lindel he/him]

Thanks, glad you like it.   (EDIT: By the way, you're right on about the limitations, I'm really glad that you noticed that.)

 

-At least as far as most Imprinters are currently aware, an Imprinted object can only be dismissed/dispelled by its creator. There are certain aspects of Imprinting they haven't discovered yet that may make this possible, though.

-There is currently no limit to the number of Imprints beyond the amount of ink available to a particular Imprinter. 

-Good observation. I forgot to mention, but yes, Brushes are a unique tool. I'm not fully decided on the process to create a Brush, although I'm fairly certain a special kind of ink is required as well. The inks also come in color, although currently the colors have no functional difference, and they're more expensive, so black is more common. It's a sign of a more wealthy Imprinter if he or she uses colored ink.

-Imprints last until their creator dismisses them. 

 

-An Imprinted object compared to an ordinary object? If so, yes. An Imprinted object has a strange texture and appearance, almost like wet ink, with streaks along its surface. It holds its shape exactly as it was Imprinted, so one that was hastily scrawled before Imprinting might also have unnatural smudges around the edges. 

-Depends on the situation. Weight makes a difference. An Imprinted object, especially one that's hollow inside, as they often are, is exceptionally durable, but quite light, so in the case of a Directional Imprinting, it may be more effective, or more time effecient, to use an actual rock, or a piece of furniture. 

 

Great question! This was indeed heavily influenced by Sanderon's Laws. His First Law was particularly important in this case, as it basically shaped the limitations, which feeds into his Second Law. Essentially, I really want people to understand the capabilities of the magic, and the limitations those capabilities imply. With this system, I wanted to create a toolbox of abilities that are easy to understand, but have a wide variety of applications and natural limitations. There are also a few hidden appendages of the system that those using the magic don't know about, of course. I'm only just reaching the point of working it into the world (Sanderson's Third Law), as I want to make sure the basics were internally consistent before building up a world around it.

 

Thanks again for your excellent questions!  

Edited August 24, 2014 by Lindel

[Ashiok]

I've got a question or two. How are imprints declared (how do I know I'm making a directional or basic)/ Will others know what kind of imprint I'm making as I make it?

Do directional imprints run out?

If I have  static and Directional Imprints Bound to the same object, what happens?

More about the limitations of Directional imprints and Mental costs (How hard is it to Imprint?)

[Lindel he/him]

An Imprint is pictured clearly in your mind as it is traced, so all that's required is to visualize those specifications. It's not possible to tell for certain which kind is being Imprinted as it's traced, although you can sometimes get a pretty good idea of what it is based on context and body language. That's actually a very interesting point, as it would be interesting to play with your opponent's assumptions in a fight, for example, trying to read your opponent while bluffing as you trace your own Imprints. Thanks for bringing that up!

 

Directional Imprints do eventually lose their momentum, both from a combination of air resistance and friction, as well as gravity, which they are still effected by, unlike Static Imprints. 

 

That's an interesting question. I hadn't thought of that. I'm not entirely certain of the answer, actually. I'd imagine the older Imprint may override any future attempts, but what would happen if you managed to Imprint them at exactly the same time? I'm leaning toward Static Imprints simply always overriding Directional Imprints, although that seems like the boring way out. I'll tell you my reasoning. As I see it now, the thing that makes a Directional Imprint unique is that it comes into existence along with a powerful burst of energy that propels it in a specific direction. It will keep moving until it is stopped, whether than be by air resistance, the effect of gravity, or a Static Imprint. Does that seem like a logical solution?

 

Imprinting revolves around taking a thought from your mind, and literally painting the concept into natural world. It becomes progressively more difficult to master as you move up through the types of Imprints, as the difficulty lies in the complexity of the idea you're attempting to Imprint. A Basic Imprint can generally be drawn with minimal concentration. As long as you're an Imprinter, and you have a brush and ink, you can generally create as many basic Imprints as your heart desire, assuming you have the time and ink for your project. All Imprinting is directly limited by time constraints, as the object literally has to be painted into the air meaning that to Imprint a larger, more complicated object you would also need to be able to move around it to access all angles.

 

Picture Imprinting as a form of exercise for your mind. Basic Imprinting is like reaching out and picking something up. You could do it pretty much all day with few ill effects, although heavier objects are obviously more strenuous and will wear you out. Directional Imprinting is like walking. Fairly easy, but it can be tiring over extended period of time. Static Imprinting, then, is like jogging. It will wear you out if you keep it up, but it's not that difficult. Bound Imprinting, then, is like running. Doing it too often wears you out a lot, and you'll have to rest before you can even muster up the energy for a Directional Imprint if you overdo it. 

[Ashiok]

I'm assuming one can't simply create an aerodynamic Directional Lashing Imprinting that goes through the center of the earth?

 

Have you read Brent Weeks' Lightbringer trilogy? this system seems similar to the system of chromaturgy, except not.

[Lindel he/him]

It would be difficult to break through a wooden door with a Directional Imprint, and virtually impossible to even get through a stone wall, so I think it's safe to say that tunneling through that much solid rock would be impossible. A Directional Imprint receives only that single burst of momentum when first Imprinted. I imagine it more like a Steel push, rather than a Lashing, the main difference being that the push can't be sustained beyond that initial burst. I definitely see the parallels in the terminology, though. I may need to tweak those a bit. 

 

I have not, although Haradion drew that parallel as well. I hope it's similar in a good way, not an, "I accidentally ripped this right out of the pages of a book I've never read" way. 

[Haradion Drogon]

Heh! You know something? My first magic system had plenty of parallels to Feruchemy...

And the book title of another, was called "The King's Necromancer" and was about a guy, who wanted to become a Mage (Think Oxbridge Uni) but due to things like a lack of back ground, wealth, and poor results on a rigged test, fails. 

In desperation, be is trained by a Necromancer, which though not illegal, is frowned upon as being dirty, and unpleasant, if useful. Kind of like a guy going from wanting to study Medicine, to studying nursing. Both are important, but because of social perceptions one is seen as more "Academic" and useful.

 

Thus begins his time as a Necromancer, which is essentially a Department of Post-Morton Communications for the Night Watch.

 

I envisioned it as a CSI-Fantasy, with the murder's being solved with Necromancy...

 

No sooner do I have this idea, but I log onto Sanderson.com, and read that Sanderson actually has a book in the works called "The King's Necromancer."

 

Not only that, but the idea of diseases causing magic power? My Brother had that one, and was excitedly telling me about it, until I explained it was in an unreleased Sanderson Novel.

 

***

 

Anyway, story over.

I have a few more questions:

 

Perhaps the Ink can be what determines the quality and type of Imprint? And Ink-print, if you will? 

This adds a finaciel limitation, with the richer imprinters being more powerful. Black ink might be only suitable for Basic Imprints. With Blue, Red and Green inks being needed for Fluid, Directional and Static Imprints, respectively?

 

Presumably, some form of alchemical component which attacks Ink would dispel some Imprints, unless specific Inks (Thinking along the lines of Waterproof/Permanent Markers) are used to eliminate this weakness? So most imprinters would use the coloured special inks, but in a pinch, you could use regular inks?

 

 

 

 

 

 

How is this for a limitation?

Every Person can only create one Imprint at a time - with the size of that imprint being determined by the strength, concentrations, quality of ink and brush, etc.

 

Creating a second one, dispells another.

 

This creates an interesting dynamic.

 

If two "Duelists" fire Imprinted Bullets at one another, they can shield themselves, buy imprinting a wall - but if they do, their own bullet disapears.

 

creating a ladder, requires jumping, then quickly forming a new rug, as the old disappears.

 

This would also force Imprinters to work together.

 

 

 

***

 

As for worldbuilding, as long as the following are included I don't particularly mind.

 

- At least one Creation myth, in which a God "Drew" the world.

- At least one Creation Myth in which "Satan" grew jealous and tried to scribble it out.

- At least one "Hero" myth, in which a Hero drew an entire Sailing Ship out of thin air to wage war/defend the ocean/to return home in.

 

 

Any thoughts?

[Ashiok]

Or instead of one, each Imprinter/Inker can only create as much as their mind can control, with stress growing exponentially the more Imprints/Inks (I personally like the idea of a term other than imprinting because Imprinting usually implies a mental bond to me) a person has out, and larger taxes of mental energy like you said before with Statics and basics

 

Ooh! how about an extra kind? linked imprints. you bind one to one object, another to another object/yourself. when the one on the first object moves, so does the one on the second object (Think about the burglar alarms you could make...)

[Lindel he/him]

@Haradion - That kind of thing happens to me all the time! For a fun side project once, I invented a Feruchemy-like ability that stored up Luck. I proceed to read Alloy of Law, and discover that Chronium does just that! 

 

As to your suggestions, I really like some of those ideas! I especially see the varying colors as a useful limitation. Here's how I see it. 

 

Black - Basic Imprint and a Bound Basic. 

Red - Directional Imprint and a Bound Directional. 

Green - Static Imprint and a Bound Static. 

Blue - Fluid Imprint

 

I also like the idea of some sort component that dispels others' Imprints. Should this be a sort of "Anti-Imprinting" only accessible to Imprinters, or just a chemical mixture that anyone can use to slowly break down the ink? I'd imagine a single slash with "Anti Ink" would be enough to dispel most Imprints, while some sort of compound would be more like a form of acid that would corrode the Imprint. I'm liking the Anti-Ink idea better, personally. 

 

I like the concept of the single Imprint at a time, but I feel that, partially from a worldbuilding perspective, I like the idea of permanent Imprints better. I picture Imprinted objects littering the streets in poorer districts, where no one bothers to hire an Imprinter to dispel them, and Imprinting can also be used to create special protections against theft, or, if you're really rich, to create an entire building. Limiting it by color does put a damper on how useful Imprinting would be in an artistic/architectural sense, so I'm conflicted there as well. 

 

I love the creation myth concepts! Especially the idea that God "Drew" the world. Brilliant imagery! Thanks much!

 

@Ashiok - The definition of Imprinting is "impress or stamp (a mark or outline) on a surface or body." When you Imprint, you're taking a concept from your mind, and forcing it into the world. Once it's there, it no longer has a direct connection to you. This is why there are no types of Imprints that can be directly "controlled" after Imprinting, and I actually think the name fits pretty well will that concept. 

 

Ooh, I like that! This actually helps me fill in some gaps I was wondering about. It's something that isn't fully understood within the world yet, but there's a distinction between the common types of Imprinting and the High Imprints. The general population of the world is aware of at least one of the High Imprints, called a Bound Imprint, but some of the others have yet to be discovered. Linked Imprints and Anti-Imprints open up new possibilities for other forms of High Imprints, although Linked Imprinting doesn't quite fit with the other three. I'll see what I can do there, I really like the concept.

 

Anyway, one of these unknown Imprints is called a Reverse Imprint. Any guesses as to what it might do? (Hint: Normally an Imprint takes an idea from your mind, and turns that into a physical object.. )

 

[Ashiok]

Ooh, that sounds cool (Reverse Imprints) Object--> your mind?

Also, the definition makes a lot more sense when you put it that way.

Ok, if color is too limiting, how about brush type? Or maybe all the ink is white, just from different types of plant (one per imprint), and you can color the ink as you choose.

[Lindel he/him]

Exactly! It acts as a kind of mental storage, although there may be some other interesting applications as well.

 

Interesting idea on the color, I think that could work very well. Having the type of plant determine the kind of Imprint has basically the same implications as the color determining that without limiting the application of Imprinting as an art form. Individual Imprinters would probably have their own color code to make sure they don't mix up their paints, but this way individual Imprinters could have their own unique shades and color combinations. I like that a lot, actually!

Edited August 25, 2014 by Lindel

[Haradion Drogon]

Perhaps, rather than have single colours dictating the purpose, there is a spectrum of colours, with different colours being suited to others. Imagine the alloys in Mistborn? How if you are out by a bit, it works, just not as well, and out by too much, it doesn't work?

 

Perhaps a similar thing with hues?

 

 

But the above works quite well.

 

 

 

 

Hmm... I think the "Anti-Ink" should be accessible to all... It reminds me of the "Dip" from the old "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?!" film? Remember? It acts like an acid or a solvent, decaying imprinted images and objects, which would mean that for some things, its not suitable...

 

Another interesting idea, would be to use the Imprinting to create the mould or cast of an object, then fill it with molten gold, silver, or cement, to create buildings with fascinating architecture, then dispel the imprint, and have it made of suitable materials. Proceed to paint, and done.

[PorridgeBrick he/him]

I'd rather that the color dictated the physical properties of the Imprinted objects, rather than what kinds of Imprinting can be done with it (green ink with the physical properties of wood, blue brittle like ice, etc). Of course, that is awfully close to luxin.

[Lindel he/him]

An interesting suggestion! I'll have to think about this one more extensively, as it would be a pretty major modification, but it would certainly be a very cool addition.

[Lindel he/him]

This is kinda necroing my own topic, sorry about that. 

 

But I just realized that, while I must have read Haradion's most recent comment at some point, I actually came to the exact same conclusion independently, only to check back in here, and realize that he'd suggested it months ago! 

 

Basically what I've settled on for the color coordination is exactly what Haradion suggested. You have a set of "Ideal" colors. If your Ink is spot-on, your Imprint will last indefinitely. Slightly off, and it will last for a while, but eventually dissolve. Completely off, and it just fizzles out as you Imprint it. 

 

I think that's a fairly intuitive system that actually adds to the "cool" factor and also presents limitations in its own right. 

 

The color system I've got right now is this:

 

Basic Ink = Black

Directional Ink = Red

Static Ink = Blue

 

Bound Ink = Yellow

Erasing Ink = White

Retrieving Ink (Used to call back an item that has been stored through Reverse Imprinting) = Green

 

In the case of the Bound, Erasing, and Retrieving Imprints, each must be linked to another object in some way. A Bound Imprint is attached to a physical object, an Erasing to another Imprint, and a Retrieving Imprint to a mental object, one stored within your mind. Erasing Imprints dissolve instantly after being Imprinted, taking with them the Imprint they were linked to. Retrieving Imprints create a space for the retrieved object to occupy. 

 

When Retrieving a Reverse Imprinted object, one sketches out a basic outline, of the object. Not really a replica, just a rough sketch of its dimensions, to form a space for it to occupy. 

 

That's why Erasing and Retrieving Imprints haven't been discovered yet. Whenever someone tries to Imprint with white ink, it just fizzles out. Same thing with Green, since Reverse Imprinting, which no one's ever attempted, is a prerequisite to Retrieving. 

 

EDIT: Oh, also. I recently had a thought on Static Imprints. Obviously they're linked to the planet. They stay motionless relative to the planet, otherwise they'd shoot into space at ridiculous speeds. The planet is the default reference. However, if someone realized that, they could probably tweak a Static Imprint so its motionlessness was instead relative to a different object, or even yourself. It doesn't have huge ramifications, but it does change some things. 

Edited January 22, 2015 by Lindel