New Magic System

[TheSurvivorofDeath]

So I had a magic system for a world I’m working on, which I’ve posted about before. But I realized that not only was it extremely similar to the mechanics and powers of Allomancy and Feruchemy, but it also simply didn’t work. It was weak, unbalanced, and overly complicated for the lack of power it provided. So I made something new.

Somaticism:

Somatics make use of a physical Focus in order to produce an effect. These effects are mostly physical, with a few cognitive possibilities, and they are limited to the user’s own body. Each effect can be achieved with multiple Focuses, though some work better than others. Some Focuses can also be used to achieve multiple different effects. For example, a Somatic can use stone as a Focus to increase their physical strength, but steel will make them far stronger for far longer. Stone could also be used to increase physical durability, though iron is the better option. In both of these instances, the metals are Perfect Focuses, which yield the greatest possible output for the longest possible time. All Perfect Focuses are metals, and are only associated with one attribute. 
 

What do you think? Feedback is welcome. 

[ChickenBonanza]

On 5/24/2025 at 8:37 PM, TheSurvivorofDeath said:

What do you think? Feedback is welcome. 

We love original systems; here are thoughts:

I’m assuming there is a limit to the number of Focuses have can utilize at once, probably one. And there is a time limit, with Perfect Focuses lasting the longest.

A few other questions, like how does one ‘activate’ a Focus? Is it contact? Does something happen to the object you use as a Focus? Like it’s supernaturally drained of its ability to be used as a Focus in the future or perhaps destroyed. (If neither of those things, than time limits wouldn’t always matter, because one would just have to keep an amount of it close to you at all times, to immediately reactivate a Focus once it runs out.)

Similarly, how much of a material does it take to use it as a Focus? An iron ring would be easy to carry around, twenty kilos of iron would not.

If one were to use stone as a Focus, would they increase both their strength and durability at the same time, to act as a trade off of power versus versatility compared to using a iron or steel? Or would one only be able to use stone to augment a single attribute, having to choose between improving strength or their durability?

Reading this, I find myself imagining a system wherein there would be multiple slots within a person, with slight differences in each, which could be filled by a ‘Focus.’ (I think I like the word ‘Essence’ more. Like the Ten Essences. Evokes a feeling of taking on the fundamental attribute of a material. The strength of steel, the durability of iron, y’know.) Like, the mind slot, which grants cognitive effects based on whatever Essence you fill it with, and so on. I’m unsure if I would use time limits, or maybe something where Essences are rare and require a specific task or dedication to acquire. That’s just how I think about such, though.

Personally, I think one could detach from the use of metals, to distinguish from the Metallic Arts, or lean into it. Or perhaps it already is perfect how it is, with metals with a higher position above the others. If this is a Cosmere magic system, it would fit well, I think, with metal naturally having interactions with Investiture.

[BigBadBagsworth He/him/his]

And if the system is Cosmere, then where’s the power coming from? Surgebinding uses Light, which is shardic investiture. The metallic arts use power within metals, within the user’s body, or within the target’s body respectively. Sand mastery uses investiture from Taldain’s sun. Is a focus slowly consumed during use? Does it have charge from somewhere and have to be occasionally recharged? Can foci only grant physical hemalurgic blessings? 

[TheSurvivorofDeath]

The system is not Cosmere, it is for my own world I’m building. A Somatic can use a maximum of 5 Focuses at a time, though only one mental attribute can be accessed at a given time. To activate a Focus, the Somatic must touch it and focus intently on their desired attribute. A single Focus cannot grant multiple attributes at a time, so a single piece of stone is only going to give either strength or durability. Multiple pieces of stone could be used independently to get both attributes though. When a Focus is activated, it will immediately disintegrate and the power will pass to the Somatic. The power itself comes from the God of this world, who focuses on Connection between people, objects, spirits, and nature. 

[AltonicKeys he/him]

A little late, but I would like to add, are you sure about having the pinnacle of magical equipment being metal? One of the most manipulable, and sometimes plentiful resources? I realize that gemstones would be a cliche, but I feel like metals (especially iron or copper) would be too common of materials to be the most powerful Focus options. Unless this takes place on a planet with extremely different geology and iron is somehow rarer and less accessable than most other materials.

I just don't see a metal screw being more magically attuned than a stone. Metal has often been regarded as a human material and kind of an opposite to nature, which is also what the God is connected to? But twigs being stronger than screws is also wrong. So I don't really have a solution other than the classic "shiny gems oooo."

[TheSurvivorofDeath]

41 minutes ago, AltonicKeys said:

A little late, but I would like to add, are you sure about having the pinnacle of magical equipment being metal? One of the most manipulable, and sometimes plentiful resources? I realize that gemstones would be a cliche, but I feel like metals (especially iron or copper) would be too common of materials to be the most powerful Focus options. Unless this takes place on a planet with extremely different geology and iron is somehow rarer and less accessable than most other materials.

I just don't see a metal screw being more magically attuned than a stone. Metal has often been regarded as a human material and kind of an opposite to nature, which is also what the God is connected to? But twigs being stronger than screws is also wrong. So I don't really have a solution other than the classic "shiny gems oooo."

I like metal as the highest level of Focus because metals have unique traits, unique chemical makeups, and a unique role in mankind’s development. Apart from that, metals are slightly rarer on Nexum than on Earth, but not to a major extent. They are, in this story, rarer than you might expect, because this story takes place in a sort of mid-Industrial Revolution society, in an area akin to the Old West. It’s not incredibly rare, but rarer than in the modern world. Additionally, metal has more of an inherit limit than any other material. You have to carry it with you, because you’re not reliably likely to simply find it. It’s heavy, so you can’t carry massive amounts of it. Maybe you can get a screw to use, depending on where you are, but would you rather have slightly more power for a scant period or much more time with a bit less power with a chunk of rock? And metals are less attuned to nature, technically, than other materials, sure. But this magic system deals more with physical connections. Animancy, the other magic of this world, deals with connections to natural concepts and phenomena. Nexu, the God of this world, is deeply connected to nature, but also to humanity. He is a god of connection, not of nature, so the human nature of metal as a material doesn’t stray from the source of the power. 
Besides, with metal as a source of power I get to name my main character Cadmus Steel and have that name be slightly relevant to the magic system. So there’s that. 
Thank you for the feedback. 

[AltonicKeys he/him]

20 hours ago, TheSurvivorofDeath said:

I like metal as the highest level of Focus because metals have unique traits, unique chemical makeups, and a unique role in mankind’s development. Apart from that, metals are slightly rarer on Nexum than on Earth, but not to a major extent. They are, in this story, rarer than you might expect, because this story takes place in a sort of mid-Industrial Revolution society, in an area akin to the Old West. It’s not incredibly rare, but rarer than in the modern world. Additionally, metal has more of an inherit limit than any other material. You have to carry it with you, because you’re not reliably likely to simply find it. It’s heavy, so you can’t carry massive amounts of it. Maybe you can get a screw to use, depending on where you are, but would you rather have slightly more power for a scant period or much more time with a bit less power with a chunk of rock? And metals are less attuned to nature, technically, than other materials, sure. But this magic system deals more with physical connections. Animancy, the other magic of this world, deals with connections to natural concepts and phenomena. Nexu, the God of this world, is deeply connected to nature, but also to humanity. He is a god of connection, not of nature, so the human nature of metal as a material doesn’t stray from the source of the power. 
Besides, with metal as a source of power I get to name my main character Cadmus Steel and have that name be slightly relevant to the magic system. So there’s that. 
Thank you for the feedback. 

Ohhh I see, that makes a lot more sense. ig I forgot there's a whole process to make good metal stuff back before mass production of steel and stuff began. So in a kinda 1700-1800s time period, metal would be quite valuable.

But of course, we can't interfere with the sacred act of character naming schemes.

So good luck with the worldbuilding, I look forward to seeing where this goes!

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

On 5/24/2025 at 8:37 PM, TheSurvivorofDeath said:

So I had a magic system for a world I’m working on, which I’ve posted about before. But I realized that not only was it extremely similar to the mechanics and powers of Allomancy and Feruchemy, but it also simply didn’t work. It was weak, unbalanced, and overly complicated for the lack of power it provided. So I made something new.

Somaticism:

Somatics make use of a physical Focus in order to produce an effect. These effects are mostly physical, with a few cognitive possibilities, and they are limited to the user’s own body. Each effect can be achieved with multiple Focuses, though some work better than others. Some Focuses can also be used to achieve multiple different effects. For example, a Somatic can use stone as a Focus to increase their physical strength, but steel will make them far stronger for far longer. Stone could also be used to increase physical durability, though iron is the better option. In both of these instances, the metals are Perfect Focuses, which yield the greatest possible output for the longest possible time. All Perfect Focuses are metals, and are only associated with one attribute. 
 

What do you think? Feedback is welcome. 

Oooohhhhh

Have you given thought to chemical composition? I mean, you don’t need to, but might be interesting

Like - steel is iron and carbon, so you could extrapolate on that mayhaps

[TheSurvivorofDeath]

Just now, SpiritOfWrath said:

Oooohhhhh

Have you given thought to chemical composition? I mean, you don’t need to, but might be interesting

Like - steel is iron and carbon, so you could extrapolate on that mayhaps

I’ve considered chemical compositions to an extent, and I reckon I’ll do more as I assign specific focuses. I haven’t thought much past steel and iron, so there’s a lot of room to consider composition and chemical and physical properties of different materials.