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I'm updating my magic system, including the original post that describes the system narratively (sorry if this annoys). I thought I'd also walk through it a bit in this post...

The goal is a magic system that feels magical; no easy task. I took elements from my favorite magic systems: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and A Wizard of Earthsea. Magic is like music: some can, some can't; some read, some intuit. Magic is of the world... a mage asks favors of it and/or does favors for it.

• ask a stone to gather its brethren and create a road
• ask the air to withhold itself from a creature until it is unconscious
• ask a still lake to reflect a scene its been witness to
• ask the moon to hold back the tide
• help tell the story of a misdeed that a forest or church or statue cannot alone

Totems can also spark a player's creativity for spells for their mage:

• bark from a hanging tree
• a stone from an enemies castle
• any manner of items found in an apothecary
• a king's slipper
• a coin from a beggar's cup

Burdens are ballance in the magical world (Earthsea). Representing them with tarot is part GM/Player support and part... well... mysticism? They're an oracle for storytelling, and give consequences a symbolic, narrative hook instead of being just a penalty.

Promises are like cantrips. Any mage worth his socks should be able to cast these simple, ephemeral spells. Substantial magic requires Rituals that can take days, weeks or even months. And then Summoning is the crazy train of opening yourself up to the whims of the Fey. Eg. only they can bring life back to the dead?

I try to provide just enough structure and support, while leaving it open to interpretation and creativity at the table. It certainly won't be for everyone... and perhaps not even anyone but me :D

From the memoirs of Rown Varkana - Mage, Council of Six @Yagul Fane...

I have no skill with quill or ink, but my wife insists I write. "Who should know of you if you don't?", she says. "I am a mage on the Council of Six", I reply! I neglect to tell her I've spent the better part of an hour trying to get this quill to abide my commands and write for me. Alas, and more time still cleaning up the mess. This empty page vexes me.

I suppose the place to start is at the beginning. Fine. What is magic? It's quite simple really: the world is full of magic and a mage communes with the world. Air, tree, stone, ocean, star; all allies of the mage. With proper knowledge, a mage may petition the world for indulgence; favors if you like. Given their relationship is in good standing, the world is likely to comply.

Magi are born with this gift but it requires development. Some learn spells from tomes and scrolls while others may intuit them. But this development takes time. The Fae, with their long lives, are the most knowledgeable in magic. They enjoy the deepest bonds with the world. If their magic has boundaries, they are unknown to me but with long life comes madness. Pity the mage that must bargain with a Fae; it's like treading on shifting sands.

The world has a mind of its own, and so too does magic. One rolls the dice when casting a spell [2d6 or 3d6 for circumstance or legendary skill]. A mage may tip the scales, so to speak, but at a cost. Balance will be restored one way or another. A mage feeling a spell failing may accept a Burden [represented by a tarot card] and have it succeed instead. How the Burden is satisfied is anyone’s guess, but rest assured, it will call on the mage in time. Particularly poor castings can invoke failure and a Burden [rolling snake eyes]. A mage can endure only three before being lost in the world.

Promises--the simplest spells--wield significant potential in the hands of a cunning mage. Often dismissed as "cheap tricks," their ephemeral quality leaves no lasting impression on the world. Yet, they signify an unspoken agreement; a remnant from the bond between mage and world.

More advanced spells demand a Totem—something physical of the world and a representation of the intended outcome. While a totem should ideally resonate with the desired effect, substitutions are possible. Salt is renowned for its ability to ward off malevolent energies. However, alternatives like chalk or even ground coffee may serve adequately.

Furthermore, Enhancement Spells, cast in tandem with a primary spell, can amplify potency, duration, or scope. They enhance a spell's efficacy but take time [ie. an extra turn] and compound the risks of casting—an additional Burden for the mage who pushes both.

Rituals are the pinnacle of magical prowess. They yield unparalleled power but demand patience and dedication. Alternatively, one might venture into the perilous realm of Summoning. But bargaining with a Fae comes with great risk and success is far from guaranteed.

~ R