Simple question, long explanation. In my current WIP, there are four types of magic. Vale: life and creation magic Vex: death and destruction magic Viden: spirit communication and illusion magic Aevum: time control and fortune-telling magic Vales and Vexes are very common -- having one of those magics is the norm. Videns are rare. So rare in fact that very few people even know they exist. Everyone just assumes their magic died out long ago. Videns always have white hair and gray eyes. Aevums are even more rare, because their magic DID die out long ago. They always have red hair. After the Aevums died out, the ability to see the future passed to Videns. My issue is... I don't know how many Videns I can include in my character group and still be able to call them "rare." My MC was born a Viden (though later received magic to make her an Aevum -- long story), and I also include two seers who are Videns. But now I have this character, Echo. She had a rough life. She is a twin, the second born. Her mother, only wanting one child, gave Echo away at birth. She was then passed around from family to family, being abused and having to fend for herself to survive. She's a very rough character who will do what she has to do. But because she is so similar to my MC in personality, they become very close. In my mind, Echo is a Viden. From the first moment I saw her, she had the classic white hair and gray eyes. She's a skilled fighter with both swords and magic. She is very distance -- even more so than my MC. But now I'm worried that making her a Viden may be a mistake. If I make her a Viden, then I would have two Vales, one Vex, two Videns, and one half Viden/half Aevum (not including the second seer my MC meets halfway through the book and will become more important in the second novel). So half of my characters would be "rare" magic users. Is that a problem?
I think the issue could be that if you have all these people with rare abilities, it might be odd that they all found each other. It'd make more sense if they were in separate groups but if you write well and make it seem logical, than why not? Although, an abundance of the powers would just make them seem redundant and less special and hurt overall characterization.
Well the two seers I can explain away because they run the temples. (My world is very spiritual.) My MCs mom was an apprentice at the temple when she was younger, though gave it up to have a family. And Echo would have actively sought out my MC because she heard rumors through the grapevine that she may have ancient magic. Are those good enough explanations? In the next book, Videns will make a greater appearance. They live in a secret compound, guarded by the locals, and my characters visit it. There are about two or three hundred of them living there. Edit: So I guess that would make five characters that are Videns if I include my MC's mother in there.
Yep, they're born with it. My MC is the only exception. Essentially, she was experimented on as a child, and it resulted in her obtaining Aevum magic.
I would think that the rarities would find each other. Strong apart Invincible together yada yada yada. When I read Echo's (love the name by the way) description, maybe half Vidan and half Vex? Sword fighting is incredibly personal and that she exceeds I would think that she is part Vex. Other Idea: So what about making her part 1/4 Viden and 3/4 Vex? Her odd appearance could account for some of her mistreatment and her Viden power come only under certain conditions. Fighting, stressed, etc.
In my opinion, the idea of a book being based around an odd occurrence is what makes it a book. If your story was about a rare magic user going through life unnoticed and uncared about, it wouldn't be exciting! I think it's entirely possible for you to make every one of your characters a 'rare' magic user: if you write it well. Make me believe that they found their way together: whether by fate or by destiny. Show me, through dialogue or comparison, that the fact that these characters came together is a once in a million chance. That's what a novel is! Especially a fantasy novel. It's supposed to pinpoint an event in your living, breathing world that was so special, so extra-ordinary, that it's worth a book about -- sometimes more. You could make every one of your characters the rarest and specialist magic user in the world, and I'd buy it if you convinced me. But it means you really have to sell it, because you can't rely on "Oh he's the only Viden in the party, thats how we know she's rare." You'll have to use other methods. Best of luck!
Do you have good reasons for all them being Videns? Sure, you can have one for free, but what about all the rest? Where did they come from? If the magic is genetic, where did they get it? Maybe someone's ancestors used to live in the secret compound, but they left for some reason. Is it possible for a god to grant magical ability to a bloodline/unborn child? Getting them together is secondary - look at The Wheel of Time, for example. In a world with actual gods, it's not hard to imagine that said gods were subtly influencing them to meet.
