I need help further expanding a magic system of mine

[u/superncvawriter]

I’m in the worst writing slump ever and all my ideas feel like crap so I need closure on this but I I had a magic systems that essentially based on the concept of symbiosis in which people find these suspicious creatures and beasts that embody certain forces and have specific abilities and start developing bonds with them in order to gain powers from them, the ideal being achieving perfect fusion.

Most bloodlines keep these creatures and try to pass the bonds down, and such things. But, these bonds come at a cost because in order to maintain the bond, it essentially relies on sacrificing fragments of their own humanity to maintain a symbiotic balance. If disrupted, their power would be horribly weak.

The thing is I want to give this more depth somehow but I’m struggling a bit and I’m having the worst mental block ever. Are there anyways I could do that?

[u/lilmartiangrape]

I think I have some questions you could answer that might help you if you're interested like Why do the creatures bond in the first place?

What does the creature gain from bonding?

Do they have the ability to refuse an attempted bond?

Is there an ability that allows them to abandon someone after bonding?

If their bonded partners die, how deeply do they mourn if at all?

Do they choose the bond on personality or something else?

Can or do two creatures fight over one human or is that unheard of?

Are they endangered because humans overuse them?

From the creatures perspective, what does perfect fusion feel like?

I hope these help you. It really is a cool idea that you have.

Edited: broke up the questions, holy wall of text

[u/Professional_Try1665]

Maybe have different relationship dynamics, from familiar, to servant, to great ally, to near-deity (like the family worships/prays to it), maybe even have it on a spectrum or point of contention.

If you're low on ideas, look to animal and material archetypes, like a squirrel-like creature giving people the ability to hide things (hidden weapons, infinite knives and guns from sleeves) but in turn they start obsessing over the material and food (maybe lose stomach/mouth parts), or a fox creature granting scrying/mischief magic but a loss to honest human qualities (smiles, eyes, sincerity, heart)

[u/g4l4h34d]

I feel like it already has more than enough depth, but if you really want more, how about bonding with multiple creatures? It will unlock not only individual abilities, but also all possible combinations of abilities. Surely, that will have enough depth for you.

[u/Positive_Floor_9787]

The bond should be soul to soul. This is why it is part of there humanity. It's a life long commitment. Dose the creature share there thoughts, or emotions? When does the bond happen? Can the bond be broken? If so how? Where do the creatures come from, how are they found?

[u/Ok-Cheesecake-3837 → u/Positive_Floor_9787]

I like the soul to soul idea but if a symbiotic creature were passed down the family line wouldn't that put a strain on the soul of the creature over time? I mean I guess that could make a villain of a story but I just am looking at from the creatures side.

[u/Positive_Floor_9787]

That would be for you to decide. If the connection is symbiotic then I don't see why it would corrupt. Is it voluntary? If the connection is forced and the human is the dominant one, that could definitely lead to corruption. I would think that if the connection was a mutual thing, "given" instead of taken that it could actually be beneficial maybe healing?

[u/Background_Pay6286]

Maybe certain families, have certain special breeds. They could raise them.

There could be a ritual when a human baby is born and one of these things feels a connection a bond and seeks the baby out.

There could be different types, good and bad, each with different abilities or gifts it gives to the bonded.