Community Suggestion: Create a template for Magic* Systems (Classifications)
Create a template for Magic* Systems (Classifications)
Content Addition · Articles & templates · Created by TimesChu
declined
Template Systems Magic Classification Powers Taxonomy
What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?
Currently, there is no built-in method of describing a complex, but arbitrary, system of classification in World Anvil. For example, you could not describe D&D's magic schools using the current templates on offer, since they're not "Laws" of the world, nor really cultural traditions, nor individual spells. Pressently, World Anvil allows for specifics in these things, but doesn't have a way to describe the actual systems they are based on. Since many fictional worlds have remarkably complex and thought out technical systems to describe their fantastical elements, it seems an odd exclusion, especially considering we have templates for things as specific as medical conditions and titles, but none for describing something like the concept of Abjuration magic.How does this feature request address the current situation?
A template for systems like this would allow creators to describe and classify the more esoteric parts of their world more thoroughly, without having to design a template themselves or resort to a generic article.What are other uses for this feature request?
Though the title says "Magic Systems," really this is applicable to any arbitrary system of classification, be it superpowers, magic, technology, or even taxonomy.The Team's Response
Thanks for the suggestion! We already have templates to talk about magic—remember that, in a universe where magic exists, magic itself is part of the laws of physics of this world (even if we, as people who live in a boring and real world, don't see it as such). If your schools of magic are institutions that rule of areas of magic, you would use the Organization template. If, instead, you want to describe a type of magic, that would most likely be a Natural Law. Check this page for more details: https://www.worldanvil.com/learn/article-templates/magic-systems
Current score
12/300 Votes · +1502 points
Votes Cast
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+1
by The Sad Saint
on 2026-01-21 21:19 -
+300
by Deus-ex-mapping23
on 2026-01-19 10:10 -
+100
by Jupiter Melichios
on 2026-01-18 15:48 -
+300
by Exarx
on 2026-01-15 11:50 -
+1
by MathuinDaBurr
on 2026-01-09 15:00 -
+300
by Ceilian
on 2026-01-07 02:42 -
+100
by isaacbabad
on 2026-01-05 17:18 -
+1
by kalvorp
on 2026-01-05 01:11I see others have mentioned it so I realize I'm not necessarily adding anything new here, but I would agree with what others are saying that a magic system WOULD be considered a natural law. With that said, I actually really like having specific article types with their own unique prompts/sections for different things, it actually inspires my creative process. So while I don't think it's strictly necessary, I actually like the idea for the potential to stoke creative thought.
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-300
by Ademal
on 2026-01-03 20:35This is exactly the intention of the Natural Law article - to write about any phenomenon in your world from thermodynamics to magic to storm formation.
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-1
by Those2Nerds
on 2025-12-31 15:06The second question in the template FAQ addresses this: https://www.worldanvil.com/learn/article-guides/article-templates#faq Natural law is great for magic that's a fact of the world. Technology is great for magic that's a tool to be used and studied. Tradition is great for approaches and perceptions of magic. Ethnicity is great for sub-cultures defined by their magic. You could use a language template for word-based magic systems, or profession or title for specific types of practitioner. Many of these templates have prompts that set up hierarchies. Systems are defined by connections between items, typically done on WA with inter-article links. I'm not sure a "System" template would add anything we can't already do with existing templates, their prompts, and tools like whiteboards and content trees. Especially considering how complex templates are and how much of the site would need to change to accommodate a new one.
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+100
by ss2020
on 2025-12-31 02:45 -
+300
by Ratha
on 2025-12-30 21:09 -
+300
by TimesChu
on 2025-12-30 18:29
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