Posted by Kromey at 2:22am Jul 29 '08Genesis of the idea:
Some of you may recall the story I was writing for Nanowrimo last year; the basic premise was a fantasy/sci-fi mix in which high-tech drones were defeated by fireball-flinging sorcerers. I realized partway through that I didn't really know what magic in this world really looked like: Where did the mages get their powers? What were the limits of their powers? How many mages existed? Was magical ability a learned skill or inborn talent (or a mix of both)? How had they kept their existence secret for so many centuries?
The idea:
In trying to answer some of these questions, I realized that I needed a rich history to form the background for these people. Some of the answers were easy enough, but others began to form the seeds of a new story: The Great Mage War, a centuries-long struggle between numerous groups of mages waged in secret in the very midst of modern "muggles" (no, I don't actually use the word "muggle" anywhere in my stories, it's just the most concise term for now). My idea is to set this story in modern day, probably an unnamed generic urban setting, but the story could certainly take itself elsewhere.
The details:
So essentially what we have now is several hidden sects of sorcerers, each fighting the others to the death but simultaneously trying to keep their abilities a secret from the general populace. The original spark for the conflict has long since been forgotten (you and I, however, know that it is essentially a religious war focused around the different views on where magic power comes from - some sects believe it comes from God, others that it's their own inner fire, still others that it comes from the Six Elements, etc.).
The individual groups are very different - everything from your stereotypical extinct pagan bloodletting ritualists to hard-studying bookworm wizards to nigh-apathetic and solitary but nonetheless powerful [private]s, and everything in between - but they all share the desire to keep their powers secret, and all (except perhaps the apathetic [private]s, who really just don't care and want to be left alone) seek to destroy the other groups. Although the original source of the war was a silly dispute over where the power behind magic comes from, the war has grown to pit all groups against all others (excepting a few temporary and constantly-shifting alliances), even those who's ideas are in fact the same (or at least compatible). Think of it as a gang turf war now - no one remembers why they fight, they just do.
What I need help with:
What does this war look like? Flashy duels between powerful mages are the rare exception, not the rule - defeats the whole "keep our powers hidden" nature of mages. Obviously more mundane tactics would be the norm: The hiring of hitmen, subverting local law enforcement into cracking down on the local "drug smuggling ring". Major confrontations would be street gang or paramilitary style: The primary combatants would be non-magical guys wielding assorted black market weapons, facing off with little-to-no magical support except the occasional (and subtle) spell from their respective mages. In fact, it's entirely likely (and probable) that these guys don't even know the true nature of their employers.
What other methods would be used in this struggle? What devious tactics would the various mage groups use against each other?
Also, any other feedback is welcome. This is still just a concept, and pretty much everything is still fluid at this point.
Some of you may recall the story I was writing for Nanowrimo last year; the basic premise was a fantasy/sci-fi mix in which high-tech drones were defeated by fireball-flinging sorcerers. I realized partway through that I didn't really know what magic in this world really looked like: Where did the mages get their powers? What were the limits of their powers? How many mages existed? Was magical ability a learned skill or inborn talent (or a mix of both)? How had they kept their existence secret for so many centuries?
The idea:
In trying to answer some of these questions, I realized that I needed a rich history to form the background for these people. Some of the answers were easy enough, but others began to form the seeds of a new story: The Great Mage War, a centuries-long struggle between numerous groups of mages waged in secret in the very midst of modern "muggles" (no, I don't actually use the word "muggle" anywhere in my stories, it's just the most concise term for now). My idea is to set this story in modern day, probably an unnamed generic urban setting, but the story could certainly take itself elsewhere.
The details:
So essentially what we have now is several hidden sects of sorcerers, each fighting the others to the death but simultaneously trying to keep their abilities a secret from the general populace. The original spark for the conflict has long since been forgotten (you and I, however, know that it is essentially a religious war focused around the different views on where magic power comes from - some sects believe it comes from God, others that it's their own inner fire, still others that it comes from the Six Elements, etc.).
The individual groups are very different - everything from your stereotypical extinct pagan bloodletting ritualists to hard-studying bookworm wizards to nigh-apathetic and solitary but nonetheless powerful [private]s, and everything in between - but they all share the desire to keep their powers secret, and all (except perhaps the apathetic [private]s, who really just don't care and want to be left alone) seek to destroy the other groups. Although the original source of the war was a silly dispute over where the power behind magic comes from, the war has grown to pit all groups against all others (excepting a few temporary and constantly-shifting alliances), even those who's ideas are in fact the same (or at least compatible). Think of it as a gang turf war now - no one remembers why they fight, they just do.
What I need help with:
What does this war look like? Flashy duels between powerful mages are the rare exception, not the rule - defeats the whole "keep our powers hidden" nature of mages. Obviously more mundane tactics would be the norm: The hiring of hitmen, subverting local law enforcement into cracking down on the local "drug smuggling ring". Major confrontations would be street gang or paramilitary style: The primary combatants would be non-magical guys wielding assorted black market weapons, facing off with little-to-no magical support except the occasional (and subtle) spell from their respective mages. In fact, it's entirely likely (and probable) that these guys don't even know the true nature of their employers.
What other methods would be used in this struggle? What devious tactics would the various mage groups use against each other?
Also, any other feedback is welcome. This is still just a concept, and pretty much everything is still fluid at this point.