For a long time I've been imagining my Oc's in all sorts scenarios like most folk but when it came to making the world these scenarios take place in I've been having more than a little trouble, but I've been working on it nonetheless. A big part of one of them is the magic system which has been hard getting my head around but I think I came up with the basis of one which vibes I rock with.
Magic is a substance that flows throughout both Ghelaia and Earth, and is considered essential for life to exist.
Wisps are little mites of living magic. They're more like particles who are drift about and are drawn to the will of higher beings, but together they can preform miraculous acts when there's something to guide them. They enjoy the rhythmic sounds and music and respond best to commands given through such mediums. Throughout it's life a Wisp can gain more power and may eventually become a Spark.
Sparks come from Wisps. They have something resembling a will and will often lead Wisps and weaker Sparks. Sparks that are not bound to anyone will often follow a "routine" over the course of a certain period of time such as migrations over the course of a year or a magical act at a certain time of day. They are still prone to following the will of greater beings.
Sprites have a conscious and personality but are still susceptible to the will and commands of stronger beings. They enjoy the presence of other living things and can be mischievous or courteous to them, using magic to help or hinder other's as they please. They can often be seen leading swarms of Wisps and Sparks but can also be found roaming alone with the only sign of their presence being the soft sounds that they occasionally make.
Seelies are Sprites who have gained autonomy and personhood. Most are considered legendary beings of great power. They are few in number and rarely show themselves to people.
Titans are god-like entities who shape the endless world of Ghelaia through their influence over wisps, sparks and sprites. It is believed that the Titans were once Seelies.
People tend to make familiars out of Sprites and Sparks.
Every magical creature is born with a Spark of their own and is what allows them to perform magic. Non-magical creatures like humans normally are born without sparks but they have a chance of developing one later in life. In both cases the creature and the Spark are one in the same.
There are three main ways of preforming magic is as follows, using one's own Spark, commanding a swarm of Wisps and Sparks, and commanding a small number of Sprites.
Using one's own spark means being able to use magic anywhere, but it's versatility and strength can be limited depending on the individual. (Playing your own instrument)
Commanding a swarm can be far more versatile and powerful, but requires more effort to lead a large swarm. (Conducting an orchestra)
Having a small group of familiar Sprites is more versatile and powerful than just using one's Spark and easier to manage than a swarm of Wisps and Sparks but one has to contend with the personalities of their partnered Sprites and whether or not the Sprites will be willing to work together. (Playing in a band)
It is important to treat these being with kindness and care.
What exactly this magic can do exactly is something I'm still thinking about but at least I have something to work with in the meantime.
If you dear reader have any suggestions, please let me know!
If there’s one thing that many skilled, professional artists will tell you, it’s that you should use references and work on your concepts to make effective designs quickly. So it’s a wonder why I haven’t applied that method yet. Who knows, if I did maybe I wouldn’t be spending the better half of the year on just four designs ¯_(ツ)_/¯
So today I learned that I know next to nothing when it comes to html, which to my limited understanding is what most people use to customize their profiles.
I honestly thought it would be, not quick per se, but simple enough that I'd get the foundations down in like a day or two u know but this is an expertise that's going to take a while to learn I guess. It's times like these that makes you realise just how much effort people put into the things that they care about, especially considering how way back in the day where I was too young to know what the internet even is everybody had to code their entire blog or website on their own. Salute to those braves soldiers cause they're stronger than me.
Alas whining isn't going to help nothing, just gotta grit my teeth and bear since it will be worth it in the end.
P.S. Although any help would be greatly appreciated shyly side eyes
When it comes to posting art online I do it once in a blue moon and when the planets align, this is mainly because I get nervous that whatever I make is subpar compared to what other people post online. I know that's a dumb way of thinking and that it goes against the whole point of posting for fun but that doesn't change how I feel.
I tend to draw whenever I have free time but it's mainly just stills and side profiles of whatever creature I have in my mind and I've realised in recent years that I'm way worse at character design and other art fundamentals than I thought I was which didn't help things. Couple that with the fact that when it comes to the internet I'm a lurker through and through. It stinks cause I want to talk more about my art and art in general but the folks I know don't really know much or don't care.
But at the beginning of this year I decided that that's going to change so I'm making good on that promise four months in(better now then never) including talking about the things I like even if it's to an empty audience. I'm also going to try to seriously improve even if it's only a little bit since I have noticed that I've been stagnating for a while now.
Hopefully this motivates me to get over my posting anxiety and encourages me to draw more since it's one of the only things that I can do that I'm genuinely proud of. First step of the plan is properly decorating my profile!
P.S. Now that I think about it's kinda weird to make this my first journal post but what can you do, I already wrote the damn thing.