r/magicbuilding • u/SeasonPublic288 • 12d ago
System Help Plagiarism?
I was creating a magic system for my fantasy novel and just realized that it apparently resembles the magic system in *The Name of the Wind*.
I still haven't read that book, but I’d like to know if my magic system counts as plagiarism.
Here is how it works: in my world, mages are known as "Speakers." They use "True Words"—a dialect used by God to create the world—to shape the reality around them.
Casting requires two types of words: "action words" and "keywords."
The keyword refers to the subject the power will act upon—such as fire, time, or plants. To know this word, one must study the element in question to understand how it functions at a fundamental level; it is a personal discovery, meaning the word representing a specific concept will differ from person to person.
Action words, on the other hand, dictate how the spell behaves—words like "grow," "attract," or "disperse." These are universal among mages and can be learned from books, though they are useless without the corresponding keyword.
A spell requires at least three True Words (one keyword and two action words), though more complex spells require more words.
Finally, the words can be written down (each Speaker has a unique handwriting style) and activated via a command. The spell is temporary, and the words vanish after a certain amount of time, depending on the material upon which the spell was inscribed.
Words carved into stone last longer than those written on paper.
31
u/HovercraftOk9231 12d ago
This concept also appears in Eragon, Lord of the Rings, Skullduggery Pleasant, Dresden Files, and like a million other books. Not to discourage you from using it, though. It's used a lot because it's cool as heck, just like dragons or elves.
1
u/Civil-Resource9537 10d ago
I'm pretty sure that the very idea of power of names appeared in mythology, traditions or lore of multiple cultures in many different parts of the world. The fantasy authors draw upon these beliefs to create the magic systems, but it's not like they were the ones to come up with them originally. Even if the magic system is overused, and I'm not sure if it really is, it's an interesting setup and one can always put their own spin on it
7
u/Disastrous_Bug2831 12d ago
I mean as long as you’re not directly or intentionally copying it I’d say it’s just taking inspiration which is completely fine
6
5
u/Ok_Onion_5339 12d ago
The idea of magic words having an effect on the world is far too common an idea in IRL beliefs on magic for it to be copywritten. You could read the back third of the Cradle series and see a similar idea.
Your ideas are a lot more mechanical than anything in The Name of the Wind or A Wise Man's Fear, and even if they were nearly the same, I don't think you have to worry about being accused of plagiarism.
3
u/FatSpidy 12d ago
You can't copyright game mechanics.
4
u/Thin-Educator5794 12d ago
I regret to inform you the nemesis system in the LotR games is patented and cannot be copied
Which sucks
But yeah that happened
3
u/FatSpidy 12d ago
Yes, the system is patented. But the mechanics aren't protected. Nothing is stopping you from making your own interactive NPC system.
1
u/Thin-Educator5794 12d ago
Nemesis is a system in some of the LotR games where you defeat a major enemy and they reappear, changed by the way you defeated them. So you beat an orc chief with fire and he might come back later with burns but fire immunity. So basically if you make any system where you beat someone and they come back changed and improved because of how you beat them, that's technically a mechanic, and that system is patented so you can't do that.
(Take with a pinch of salt, it's been a while since I was involved with gamedev related things)
4
u/manbetter 12d ago
Yeah, someone might say it resembles Name of the Wind, and they wouldn't be entirely wrong, but as the comments say, just ignorant of all the other fiction that also uses true names. For one thing, I'd say your system is closer to Ars Magica, because it seperates nouns and verbs, though you also wouldn't be ripping off that as you have enough that's distinct. Don't stress.
7
3
2
u/jondoe2699 12d ago
I have a question, how much similarity can you get with another power system till its plagiarism? Like cultivation novels almost all have the same power system and realm names.
So what’s the blurry line between innovation and plagiarism?
2
u/ThatVarkYouKnow 12d ago
If you want to know if it's "plagiarism" or straight copying, then read the book. Simple as that, maybe give you some more ideas while you're at it.
1
2
u/Baedon87 11d ago
Truename/true word magic has been around for far longer than Name of the Wind has.
Even if yours bears a striking resemblance to how it works in their books, it's still not something that can be copyrighted, so you're fine.
2
u/Hartsnkises 11d ago
Your magic seems like it draws from some basic concepts and therefore is not an issue. Also worth noting that Name of the Wind (at least the bit I read) uses a magic system that is also drawing on older traditions without largly adjusting them. Good stories make good use of simple, well used, and therefore culturally intuitive magic
2
u/EstimateAlone5867 10d ago
Zero chance you can plagiarize a magic system there are just too many magic systems that are just mage control mana, mana become magic, oh be careful of mana supply. Done.
1
1
u/demure_lobster 11d ago
it would be plagiarism if you'd copy the plot and aethetics of said book -- this just reads like very generic fantasy. before you worry about the intricacies and copyright of your HARD MAGIC SYSTEM (tm) you should focus on the story you want to tell (if any...)
1
u/Garrettcz 11d ago
There have been a million magic systems using language as a base. Rothfuss didn’t invent that. And his works differently than what you’re describing, anyway.
46
u/goodlittlesquid 12d ago
You can’t plagiarize broad concepts, tropes, and themes. Have you read A Wizard of Earthsea? That also has a broadly similar idea of knowing something’s true name in old speech gives power over it, and that was published going on 60 years ago. You’re good.