30 Days of World-Building - Day 16 - Limits of Spec

Exercise 16 - What are the limits of your speculative element? What's the trade-off for using it? Magic usually comes at a cost - what is that cost? If there's no cost, then what's the trade-off? What keeps it from being used all the time, for everything, or is it used that much after all? Write down your rules, specifically focusing on what's impossible, and what should be established as unstable early, so when it fails conveniently in your novel, it won't be out of place or throw your reader out of the story. Establish the limits and boundaries of your speculative element today.

Primary Speculative Element: Connection between Magic and the Shadow Realm
- People with the ability to manipulate magic are afflicted with the taint of the Shadow Realm.
- This connection doesn't physically weaken these people, but instead wears on their minds.
- People affected by the taint usually die in their mid thirties. The stronger willed can survive for as long as average people, but the weaker-willed are usually consumed by the taint when they are but young children.
- The magical abilities gained through the taint usual manifest around childhood or the early teen years. Signs can range from simply reading thoughts and feelings to controlling and conjuring different properties, such as fire or lightning.
- One of the most prevalent dangers of the taint is the risk of possession by the dark creatures of the Shadow Realm. Malevolent beings bent on controlling the mortal people, these creatures can sense those people afflicted with the taint. Unless a sorcerer's will is strong, he could easily be transformed into a monster of the Shadow Realm.

Secondary Speculative Element: Connection between Gemstones and the Shadow Realm
- The gemstones are fashioned to harness the various powers of the Shadow Realm.
- In essence, these gemstones are able to allow people with non-magical taint to acquire some of the power it provides, without the long-term side effects.
- However, the gemstones are limited in their power, and they pale in comparison to the powers of a true-taint sorcerer.
- The Gem-Forgers of the University of Brel are dedicated sorcerers who use specific rituals to imbue the gems with the power of the Shadow Realm. Each gem is meticulously crafted, as any mistakes in the process could be costly.
-Creating the special gems requires the Gem-Forger to experience partial contact with the Shadow Realm, and sometimes, full contact, with the more powerful gems. During the brief connection, they are extremely vulnerable to possession. Therefore, only the strongest-willed and most talented of sorcerers are ever given the honor of Gem-Forger. Aside from the Headmaster himself, the Gem-Forgers are the most respected members of the university.