I like this concept a lot actually. I see this as a kind of elemental attunement with the natural world. I feel like this system would be best added as a subtlety at first, but eventually may evolve into something that progresses with the player. The type of magic I feel would fit best within the universe that will be created by TFC2 is a bit unorthodox as magic systems go, but I think it may work. By the way, this idea is something that would more reasonably be added after the mod is somewhere near completion and assumes magic to be something players will work at as a main focus throughout the game.Here is my idea:
WARNING: This comment may get a bit complicated...well...I say a bit...:P
Basic idea: (Apparatus, Transmutation)Source, Vessel, (Transmutation), Focus.
Explanation:
Let's use fire magic as an example. Imagine you want to cast a flame spell. Instead of using a mana and pyromancy system (Using mana and channeling it into arcane fire), I would like to refer to the post quoted above.The energy would be drawn from like Sources. (Source)
- I want to cast a flame spell, so I must first absorb the flame from something that already contains some sort of flame (In the case of TFC1, campfire, kiln pit, forge, etc.)
The flame will then be transferred from the source to the Vessel(the Vesselbeing the mage). This "vessel" would hold the raw magical form of the flame found in the source. (Imagine mana, but element-specific. I absorb fire, I can only cast fire) (Vessel)
- I hold the flame in my hand and see its power indicated by a new bar appearing on-screen
From here the flame can be cast as is, or proceed to the next step. (Focus)
- I use my flame to cast a short burst of fire at my target (Imagine Igni from the Witcher series), The target is lit on fire.
But, what if I require something a bit more powerful?From the vessel stage, myflame can be manipulated, the more drastic the change from the original source, the more energyit uses (as we are getting into alchemical transumtation territory at this point) Converting a flame into a fireboltwould take more flame to provide the energy to manipulate the starting flame. (Transmutation)
- I need to absorb more essence. I light a campfire and let it get really hot. I hold a hotkey over the fire and let my flame indicator fill as the campfire is drained of energy. After I've contained enough, I press another hotkey and a quick-selectGUI opens. I can now select the form my flame will take. I tab over to the firebolt icon and my flame condenses into a castable firebolt.
Now, picture this. I amunder siege by three other players and magic is my only defense. (Iwent full mage. NeverAlwaysgo full mage...) What do you do if you really don't feel like making a crap load of campfires and sluggishly casting your small flame burst at your adversaries as you are promptlyoverrun and destroyed? Here comes the apparatus stage!
- I know this attack is coming for the sake of this postbecause of my spies strategically placed in the enemy base. I create anelemental crystal that i can cast flame spells into to fill its internal buffer. I see my enemies on the horizon and i right click with the crystal in my hand to fill my player buffer. I select firebolt and begin to rain fiery death on my foe.
Now, the only thing I haven't mentioned thus far: transmutation from the apparatus stage. An elemental crystal is a type of apparatus that can be used to store magical energy absorbed by the mage, but others exist as well. Such as an apparatus used to convert flame into, say, frost.
- My ally is by my side in my time of need. She uses an elemental crystal filled with flame and plugs it into a really interesting looking, 3D modeled, late-game device I've created and uses raw magical energy or specific raw materials to transmute her flame into frost. I see my enemies on the horizon and my ally sprints behind them and slows them with a frost spell. This makes targeting easier as I rain fiery death on my foe.
This system can be applied to various types of magic, mixing multiple essences (Earth and Fire to create an explosive fireball), expediting growth of crops, cooling stored food, turning your enemies into ice sculptures, etc. I thought a system like this would compliment TerraFirmaCraft's In-world focus and TerraFirmaCraft2's Adventure focus. I just thought I should provide a bit of inputbecause I love magic systems . I can see a few problems with my system though. In my personal opinion, a little semi-automation would be nice, such as a machine that assists in the absorption and storing of essence. I wouldn't want a feature set like this to feel grindy, so multiple ways of absorbing, channeling, and combiningelements would make the system feel more complete. As for the art style of the various apparatus Iwas picturing something like the image below.If anyone is genuinely interested in this idea and would like a more balanced and non-grindyform of it, I would gladly write another post lol. I'm excited to see where the TFC2 magic system goes and I hope I've provided some substantial ideas for the developers.
As a side note: If this becomes a thing, I have some experience withmodeling and texturing and I would be willing to assist in that respect.
Thank you for your time reading this comment