MY MAGIC SYSTEM - PART 2

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Terry Pratchett

In my previous post, I explained one of the main components of my magic systems in The Maqlû – elemental (controlling the power of earth, wind, fire, water, and the ether, or spirit world). In this post, I’ll discuss another aspect of my magical systems – the technology of the ‘magical’ objects.

The ‘magical objects’ in my books are broken into two different groups:

1.    The Maqlû and ankh and

2.    All the other magical objects.

Origins of the objects

The two sets of objects were made by very different groups of beings and have dramatically different levels of power.

1.    The Maqlû and ankh are extraordinarily powerful objects made by an unknown species that spread through the universe and died out, leaving their ‘technology’ behind. The same species also made the wormhole portals and equipment in Nabu’s laboratory. Their technology is so advanced that no living species, not even the dragons, understand them completely and thus believe the objects are magical. No one knows what happened to this long-forgotten race.

2.    Former Atlantians created the remaining ‘magical’ objects using the power of the Maqlû and the dragons’ knowledge. The dragons encouraged this work as they were trying to help humans evolve quicker. But in the last days of Atlantis, Pythia conspired with Gilgamesh to gain control over as many of the magical objects (Maqlû and Atlantian-made) as possible by stealing the Maqlû and killing other Atlantians for their self-made objects.

How the magical objects work

All the objects are based on advanced technology that allows their owners to harness the energy around them (much like the elemental magic discussed in my previous post) and use them in various ways. Very little is known about the Maqlû, making them much more difficult to control than the Atlantian-made objects. One of the ghosts who follows Alex around, Sibyl, tried learning how they work and documented everything she learned in the Sibylline Books.

The ankh is unique, as it was designed to control other magical objects. It also is able to anticipate threats to its owner and protect them. But just like the Maqlû, little is understood about it. Another significant difference between the ankh and the Maqlû is in its influence on their owners. While the Maqlû tend to corrupt their owners with a lust for power, the ankh tends to drive its wearers crazy as its ability to influence the wearers is too much for most humans.

The next post will delve into the religious, or divine aspects of the objects.

Me in front of Saqsaywayman, Cusco Peru. These gigantic stones are so closely spaced that a single piece of paper will not fit between most of them. Little is known about how the ancient Incans managed this feat without metal tools.