Difference between witchcraft and wizardry
Jan 31, 2012 14:42:13 GMT -8
Post by makoeyes on Jan 31, 2012 14:42:13 GMT -8
Okay if anyone's a fan of Discworld I got the idea from this series, though I've never actually read it. Basically a witch's approach to magic and wizard's approach is fundementally different. First let's start with witchcraft.
Witches are born mages, one with an Inherent Gift. There is ONE other way to become a witch, and that's to make a literal pact with Satan, though most witches are simply "God-given" mages. Witchchraft is easier than wizardry. It is more natural and intuitive. It is basically like a craft, like art it is a skill that needs training and practice to flourish but you need an innate talent to really get anywhere.
Wizardry on the other hand can in theory be learned by anyone. It is basically like science. It's harder to learn and use than art. The trade off to having to do everything in a harder way is that wizards' intense training and study makes it so that they have a greater versatility than witches. So this means that a wizard would be able to do more than an equally powerful witch even if it's harder for them to do so. If anyone's familiar with Dungeons and Dragons this is the difference between sorcerers and wizards.
In theory anyone can become a wizard but in practice most people still don't have the necessary intellegince and drive to become a real wizard.
But once you approach mastery and archmage level this differences pretty much become a moot point, and witch will be as versatile as a wizard and a wizard will be as flexible as a witch.
Now it's easy enough o figure out witchcraft, but I can't figure out how to make wizardry more like a "science." In Discworld, it's based off of Particle Physics, but this would be out of place in a "real world" setting. I have various ideas about this. Like for example, wizardy is partially based around Alchemy, since irl it was a precursor to real science mixed with mysticism and superstition. But this is only applicable to their potions (right?).
One idea I have is that it's more like Kabbalah or Hermeticism and that it's very complex magic and takes a lot of time and therefore wizards are forced to rely on "Vancian Magic" to use it more quickly, compressing the effects of the rituals into a portable spell that they can use instantly.
Another aspect of wizardry is that witches have Familiars whereas wizards do not.
Another aspect of wizards is that they're more likely than witches to mix it in with technology to create Magitek.
Another staple of wizardry is Numerology. Another staple of wizardry is that they're more likely to pay attention time (days, hours) whereas witches pay more attention to the phases of the moon.
Does anyone have any suggestions to help? Note that the two forms can overlap in a lot of the principles. It's mostly just the methodology which is different, the goal is the same.
EDIT: It seems like I accidentally clicked on the wrong subforum. This should be under "Technique and Style." If a mod sees this can they move it plox?
EDIT NUMBA 2: (If anyone ever reads this ever again...) Okay I've figured out what I want to do.
I've decided to take SkyKing's advice and make wizards Vancian. For a non-witch, ALL magic is of the ritual variety (meaning it requires a wand, a circle and possibly other reagents). The thing about actual wizards however is that they learn to compress the effects of the rituals into "portable" spells that they can "carry" around with them. The plus side is that while it still takes the same amount of energy (MP) to cast the spell in total, the actual triggering of the magical effect only takes a fraction of what it would cost a witch to do it. That's because half or more of the MP needed is spent in the ritual circle while compressing the spell, and only a portion of MOP is needed to simply let the spell happen. The downside is yes, that it is exactly like loading a gun. If a wizard expends his "stock" of spells, he won't be able to do hardly any magic evne if he has full MP. So yeah, a wizard has to be smart and figure out which spells they need beforehand. So if a wizard were going to deal with vampires one day, he or she would obviously want to sacrifice "breathe underwater" in favor of extra fireballs.
Now I talked about this eventually becoming a moot point. Witches start out with powers like telekinesis already inherent, meaning they can move things without having to use an actual spell, ie through sheer force of will. A wizard can't do this, and they have to work their way up to psychic powers.
These two styles of magic are mutually exclusive and a witch can't stock spells even though it would certainly be beneficial.
More differences: There is one other way to become a witch: Making a literal pact with Satan. WHereas most witches are born this way, a Muggle can serve Satan in return for power. Satanic witches are naturals with Maleficium (the Dark Arts). The main difference between the two is that a natural witch cannot permanently lose their pwoers. A Satanic witch can have their powers taken away by Satan if they fail him. If a Satanic witch uses their powers for a truly GOOD purpose, they automatically are stripped of their powers.
Witches also have Familiars. A Familiar doesn't necessarily have to be an animal. A Familiar's main purpose is to serve as a tool in ritual magic, as well as aid them in combat. For example, a cat Familiar would turn into a tiger/lion/ some kind of big cat with enhanced physicality. A stone Familiar would turn into an animal shaped, life sized rock that can move of its own accord. A Familiar is also a fully sentient creature and can speak the human tongue. THye also have magical powers of their own, such as the ability to transform into a human.
The relationship between witches and Familiars is based off of mutual love, trust, and friendship.
Satanic witches on the other hand, have a minor demon as their Familiar. The relationship is based solely on greed. The witch wants more power and the demonic Familiar gets promoted to a higher place if they do a good job.
In Discworld, magic works in quite a different way. I've never read the books but I know a ton of stuff about the way it works thanks to Wikia, King Wikipedia and Queen TVTropes.
In Discworld, the laws of physics operate under "Clap Your Hands If You Believe." Witchcraft takes this to the extreme with Headology. Headology is (from what I've gathered) CYHIYB taken to the extreme. A witch basically makes a person THINK they are a frog (for example), which since this is the Disc makes them actually turn into a frog. This means that a witch is more powerful if everyone in the room knows she's a witch.
Also, Discworld witches are ALL women.
With my series, it doesn't matter whether people know a person is a witch; they'll be equally powerful regardless of this. Also, witch is a gender neutral term and there's no gender bias with the endowment.
Wizardry in Discworld, on the other hand, is based on Particle Physics and it even talks about the Five Flavors of magic.
Also, almost all wizards are men in that series.
My wizardry on the other hand is mostly like witchcraft except that it is Vancian and a wizard compresses rituals into a portable spell. Also wizards are both men and women and while it used to be more common for wizards to be men, that's only because of society's past misogyny and women are just capable as men in taking up magic.
Witches are born mages, one with an Inherent Gift. There is ONE other way to become a witch, and that's to make a literal pact with Satan, though most witches are simply "God-given" mages. Witchchraft is easier than wizardry. It is more natural and intuitive. It is basically like a craft, like art it is a skill that needs training and practice to flourish but you need an innate talent to really get anywhere.
Wizardry on the other hand can in theory be learned by anyone. It is basically like science. It's harder to learn and use than art. The trade off to having to do everything in a harder way is that wizards' intense training and study makes it so that they have a greater versatility than witches. So this means that a wizard would be able to do more than an equally powerful witch even if it's harder for them to do so. If anyone's familiar with Dungeons and Dragons this is the difference between sorcerers and wizards.
In theory anyone can become a wizard but in practice most people still don't have the necessary intellegince and drive to become a real wizard.
But once you approach mastery and archmage level this differences pretty much become a moot point, and witch will be as versatile as a wizard and a wizard will be as flexible as a witch.
Now it's easy enough o figure out witchcraft, but I can't figure out how to make wizardry more like a "science." In Discworld, it's based off of Particle Physics, but this would be out of place in a "real world" setting. I have various ideas about this. Like for example, wizardy is partially based around Alchemy, since irl it was a precursor to real science mixed with mysticism and superstition. But this is only applicable to their potions (right?).
One idea I have is that it's more like Kabbalah or Hermeticism and that it's very complex magic and takes a lot of time and therefore wizards are forced to rely on "Vancian Magic" to use it more quickly, compressing the effects of the rituals into a portable spell that they can use instantly.
Another aspect of wizardry is that witches have Familiars whereas wizards do not.
Another aspect of wizards is that they're more likely than witches to mix it in with technology to create Magitek.
Another staple of wizardry is Numerology. Another staple of wizardry is that they're more likely to pay attention time (days, hours) whereas witches pay more attention to the phases of the moon.
Does anyone have any suggestions to help? Note that the two forms can overlap in a lot of the principles. It's mostly just the methodology which is different, the goal is the same.
EDIT: It seems like I accidentally clicked on the wrong subforum. This should be under "Technique and Style." If a mod sees this can they move it plox?
EDIT NUMBA 2: (If anyone ever reads this ever again...) Okay I've figured out what I want to do.
I've decided to take SkyKing's advice and make wizards Vancian. For a non-witch, ALL magic is of the ritual variety (meaning it requires a wand, a circle and possibly other reagents). The thing about actual wizards however is that they learn to compress the effects of the rituals into "portable" spells that they can "carry" around with them. The plus side is that while it still takes the same amount of energy (MP) to cast the spell in total, the actual triggering of the magical effect only takes a fraction of what it would cost a witch to do it. That's because half or more of the MP needed is spent in the ritual circle while compressing the spell, and only a portion of MOP is needed to simply let the spell happen. The downside is yes, that it is exactly like loading a gun. If a wizard expends his "stock" of spells, he won't be able to do hardly any magic evne if he has full MP. So yeah, a wizard has to be smart and figure out which spells they need beforehand. So if a wizard were going to deal with vampires one day, he or she would obviously want to sacrifice "breathe underwater" in favor of extra fireballs.
Now I talked about this eventually becoming a moot point. Witches start out with powers like telekinesis already inherent, meaning they can move things without having to use an actual spell, ie through sheer force of will. A wizard can't do this, and they have to work their way up to psychic powers.
These two styles of magic are mutually exclusive and a witch can't stock spells even though it would certainly be beneficial.
More differences: There is one other way to become a witch: Making a literal pact with Satan. WHereas most witches are born this way, a Muggle can serve Satan in return for power. Satanic witches are naturals with Maleficium (the Dark Arts). The main difference between the two is that a natural witch cannot permanently lose their pwoers. A Satanic witch can have their powers taken away by Satan if they fail him. If a Satanic witch uses their powers for a truly GOOD purpose, they automatically are stripped of their powers.
Witches also have Familiars. A Familiar doesn't necessarily have to be an animal. A Familiar's main purpose is to serve as a tool in ritual magic, as well as aid them in combat. For example, a cat Familiar would turn into a tiger/lion/ some kind of big cat with enhanced physicality. A stone Familiar would turn into an animal shaped, life sized rock that can move of its own accord. A Familiar is also a fully sentient creature and can speak the human tongue. THye also have magical powers of their own, such as the ability to transform into a human.
The relationship between witches and Familiars is based off of mutual love, trust, and friendship.
Satanic witches on the other hand, have a minor demon as their Familiar. The relationship is based solely on greed. The witch wants more power and the demonic Familiar gets promoted to a higher place if they do a good job.
Why this is different from Discworld magic
In Discworld, magic works in quite a different way. I've never read the books but I know a ton of stuff about the way it works thanks to Wikia, King Wikipedia and Queen TVTropes.
In Discworld, the laws of physics operate under "Clap Your Hands If You Believe." Witchcraft takes this to the extreme with Headology. Headology is (from what I've gathered) CYHIYB taken to the extreme. A witch basically makes a person THINK they are a frog (for example), which since this is the Disc makes them actually turn into a frog. This means that a witch is more powerful if everyone in the room knows she's a witch.
Also, Discworld witches are ALL women.
With my series, it doesn't matter whether people know a person is a witch; they'll be equally powerful regardless of this. Also, witch is a gender neutral term and there's no gender bias with the endowment.
Wizardry in Discworld, on the other hand, is based on Particle Physics and it even talks about the Five Flavors of magic.
Also, almost all wizards are men in that series.
My wizardry on the other hand is mostly like witchcraft except that it is Vancian and a wizard compresses rituals into a portable spell. Also wizards are both men and women and while it used to be more common for wizards to be men, that's only because of society's past misogyny and women are just capable as men in taking up magic.
