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I have been brainstorming a new magic system for a story I'm working on, and I wanted to know what people might think! The magic itself is known as "Astra", and it's a cosmic power gifted by the Aether to those it deems worthy as Protectors. Some are born with it however. (I have not given much detail on some of this as I want to focus on the magic system itself.)
What exactly is Astra though?
Well to start, it allows you to form a bond with a familiar, usually with a creature known as an echoe, intelligent fox like beings that dwell in the Aether. It also allows the ability to cast spells by tracing certain patterns with your hands (with the intent of casting a spell), or just one hand depending on skill. The patterns are seen as lines and dots when being drawn as well.
The types of patterns made resemble constellations, with the general shape differing depending on the element of the spell in a way that resembles that element. For instance, fire spells are seemingly erratic in their arrangement, and earth spells are arranged in a pattern that almost touches, if that makes sense. Water spells are sort of... a wave like pattern. Shadow spells sort of spiral outward like a vortex...? (There are light spells too but haven't really figured out how that'd be shaped yet.) Edit: Light spells go straight outward like a sunbeam! (Added based on suggestion.)
For one other thing with Astra, users of it each have a unique ability that differs from person to person! The protagonist of this story for instance can create astral flame at will that can be shaped into different things.
So... it's a bit simplistic and bare bones so far, and I need to figure out what the element spells actually do and the limits of unique powers... But I hope that was enough information to go on!
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Thank you for reading, what do you think about it? Anything I should change or anything I could add to this?