Need Help With Nature Magic System

[Myff]

I'll split this into two posts. This one is regarding my nature magic system. Everything here is still in the brainstorming phase and is subject to change.

For context, there are four major aspects of magic in this world, each with multiple smaller branches within them: Sorcery, Divinity, Occultism, and Nature.

Sorcery is a scientific magic that "must" abide by the laws of physics. It is a permeating essence that most people have the ability to sense. Trained users must learn elements and their interactions. They can then use the magical essence in the air to create those elements and "program" them into spells of a sort. Sorcery's limits are determined by whether something is scientifically possible and how much Will a person possesses. The more complicated or powerful a spell is, the more Will it requires. Will functions similarly to stamina for magic users.

Divinity is power provided by specific gods to their devout followers. Not every god is capable of granting spells, but all divine spells are dependent on the powers of the god providing them. For example, an assassin god might grant abilities such as invisibility or the summoning of a teleporting dagger. These spells cannot be modified or programmed to do anything beyond their intended purpose, and they do not follow the laws of physics. The strength of a divine spell is determined by both the user's devotion and the power of their god.

Occultism is a smaller and far less understood aspect of magic. It is a mishmash of mysterious and otherworldly practices, such as reading the stars to glimpse the future, gaining forbidden knowledge, or attempting to open cosmic portals to distant realms. Occult magic is notoriously unreliable, often producing unexpected results. It is outlawed in many places, and practitioners tend to be either exceptionally intelligent, completely depraved, or both.

Nature Magic is somewhat of a blend between Divinity and Sorcery. Like Sorcery, it permeates the world, but most people cannot sense it. Those who naturally possess an affinity for it are usually animal-hybrid species, nature spirits, and similar beings. At the point where my story takes place, most people view nature magic as weaker and less useful than the other magical paths.

Unlike Sorcery, nature magic is itself a living force. It decides whether an individual will be successful in learning it or not. However, it does not make these decisions based on morality. It only cares whether a person's goals and concerns align with nature itself.

Nature provides power but using it effectively requires a deep understanding of plants, animals, ecosystems, and natural life. Most nature magic follows the laws of physics, but there are ancient spells, largely forgotten by the modern world that do not. Two major branches of nature magic are druidism and shamanism.

Common abilities include manipulating plants, healing, communicating with animals, communicating with nature spirits, bonding with animals, and eventually transforming into bonded animals.

In my story, the main character is a former child assassin who gives up both Sorcery and blades. He decides to pursue nature magic because, due to years of trauma and abuse, he struggles to emotionally connect with people. However, he finds comfort in animals. As a child, he had a puppy that was killed by his master, and that loss remained with him.

The problem is that he is not a Tauren, Nymph, or any other race naturally gifted with nature magic. His ability to even sense it is terrible.

From ages 18 to 21, he spends years studying plants, animals, nature spirits, and the natural world while trying to learn how to detect nature magic. Eventually he succeeds and slowly begins learning basic techniques.

For reasons I haven't fully figured out yet, the Goddess of Nature, a slumbering deity whom the other gods largely ignore, takes an interest in him. The gods care little about nature magic because they have no control over it.

The goddess offers him a deal.

Across the world are lost nature scrolls, forgotten teachings, and ancient forms of magic hidden in places most people cannot reach. Entire continents remain unexplored, protected by violent storms and unnatural weather that destroy ships long before they can land.

The goddess offers to guide him to these lost sources of knowledge. In return, he will help restore nature magic to its former glory and return it to the world as a respected and powerful magical path.

What I need help with is fleshing out the deeper details of nature magic. If you have any ideas regarding anything I've posted, I'm always open to suggestions.

I've done quite a bit of research, and the things most people associate with nature magic are animals, plants, elements, weather, and spirits. Personally, I don't like elemental magic such as fire, stone, or lightning being part of nature magic. That's already the role of Sorcery in this world, and I want each magic system to occupy its own niche.

Overlap is fine. For example, Divinity may grant healing through a god, while Nature magic may also have its own form of healing. I just don't want them to feel identical.

Things I currently have for Nature magic include:

• Talking to animals

• Transforming into animals you have bonded with

• Manipulating plants

• Communicating with nature spirits

• Animal-aspect buffs or auras

• Healing (still unsure on specifics)

I think the main character is also important when developing this system because certain aspects of nature magic should mesh naturally with his personality and experiences.

The MC is between 18 and 40 throughout the portions of the story where he actively uses nature magic. He's a former child assassin with skills in Sorcery and bladed combat, both of which he has sworn off. He refuses to kill people.

He is also mute. As a child, his vocal cords were removed to prevent him from revealing information if captured and interrogated, leaving severe scars across his throat. He communicates primarily through sign language.

I also like the idea of him using small nature spirits as translators. The spirits can relay his messages to others, but they don't always translate his meaning perfectly and occasionally add their own interpretations.

In combat, he is reasonably skilled with a staff, hand-to-hand fighting, and grappling techniques. His fighting style would focus on speed and mobility rather than direct force. Nature magic would complement this by allowing roots and plants to rapidly grow and ensnare opponents, block projectiles, create temporary obstacles, or provide platforms for movement and acrobatic attacks.