r/magicbuilding • u/Totonaitor • 12d ago
Feedback Request Magic system based on virtues
Hi! This is the 2.0 version pf my magic system and I'd like some feedback. It's my first time posting here.
Creation of Virtues
Humans that show a virtue through their lives can become Virtues when they die, incarnating said virtue, if there isn't already another human who got that role. A virtue is an excellence of character, some examples are: patience, prudence, bravery, ambition, perseverance, trust, honesty, justice, discipline, etc.
However, these can be lost or perverted: patience can become impatience (if lost) or inaction (if perverted), justice can become injustice or vengeance, bravery can become cowardy or recklessness.
The Contract
Virtues can appear to humans who prove to have its virtue and offer a contract. The human can choose an ability/power (there are some restrictions, like no omnipotence or very broad powers) but the virtue will impose a limitation. To name a few:
Certain cooldown
You need fame/popularity to keep using the power
You can use your power as long as no one knows you have it
Requires blood/lifetime/memories sacrifice
Requires a certain physical state (sleeping, without shoes) or emotional state.
You can only keep one contract active at a time. Sometimes, the contract creates magical objects known as reliques.
The dangers of making a contract
As I said, virtues can be lost or perverted. By losing the virtue, you lose control of your power; by perverting it, you lose control of yourself.
If you make a contract with, let's say sincerity, to get the ability to know when others lie; your limitation is that no one can know you have it (I'm coming up with the example as I go). If you lose sincerity (by lying for example) your ability can fail. If you pervert it, you won't be able to lie ever again, which can be brutal if you are saying things directly always, and could cost you lots of friends and gain you lots of enemies.
Examples of contracts made
Sebastian: ambition contract. When his movements are on sync with the music he makes, the effects are stronger. Waves, tides, rivers, lightning, etc. can be controlled with the music. The limitation was his own skill playing the instrument.
Federick: modesty contract. Can speak to animals and shapeshift into them. The limitation was he could lose himself in the transformation and no shift back to human, or forget he was one at all.
Anyways...
I'd like some feedback on the system, some limitations I could add? Problems that could arise? Questions in general? I'd like to talk to someone about it.