So for some reason, despite working on four different stories at once, one of which is an RP and another a future forum game, I just can't stop coming up with new ideas. And today's new idea is a world with personality-based magic - the different traits of your personality determine which type of magic you're likely to find easiest to use. The twelve branches of magic I have so far, along with some sample traits, are:
- Fire (impulsive, volatile)
- Water (calm, laid-back)
- Earth (stoic, stubborn, firm/harsh)
- Air (impartial, distant)
- Lightning (erratic, excitable)
- Ice (cold, unforgiving)
- Force (oppressive, domineering, direct)
- Storm (violent, loud, unpredictable)
- Nature (duality - wild/peaceful, destructive/benevolent)
- Light (nurturing, positive)
- Shadow (cool, opportunistic)
- Space (distant, empty, cold)
Personality disorders would effect magical ability in unpredictable ways, and among people with MPD nature magic would be common, as well as one or more other types of magic, depending on the extent of the MPD. It would be entirely possible to use most magic other than your natural magic, though much more difficult, but magic that directly clashes with any given mage's personality would be unusable to that mage (e.g. a Lightning mage would most likely be incapable of using Water magic, but might be able to pick up Fire magic without much difficulty).
Once again, I have no use for this idea as yet, so if you want to use it, go right ahead.