In my novel, magic is only available in two forms. One of these I was terming as "racial" magic which means that every creatures, of the same species, would be born with a specific form of magic inherit only to them. However, due to researching taxonomic classification, I've read that "race" is only mainly associated as a human classification. Instead there are species and subspecies with other classifications such as breeds. My world has a vast selection of races and creatures. Many are unique only to the book I'm writing. My question is should I classify it as "Racial Magic" or perhaps term it differently, such as "Special" Magic? I have to say "Racial Magic" has a bit more of a nice ring to it. However, even something as ordinary as a rabbit would have a form of inherit magic. The magic is an evolutionary survival adaption just as the other form of magic serves as technological advancement. Should I simply not give it a specific term and describe it as inherit magic unique to each species? At some point I will have to explain my magic system, any help will be appreciated. My system is simple, but the things that are most simple should be the ones most perfected.
Yeah, racial would be the wrong word. Are the animals all intelligent? Or can your equivalent of frogs and squirrels perform magic as well?
All beings, for a lack of better term, are born with a magic that has helped shape them evolutionary wise. Even squirrels, in reality, have intelligence; it's merely limited. The "magic" could be described as a substitute to genetic mutation. It replaces evolutionary traits bred through generations. It's a form of adaption to promote survival. Therefore all beings of a certain degree of sentience have a form of inherit magic. I'm simply trying to figure out the best way to describe. My genre is heavy into token terms, so a label for this magic would be ideal.
Unfortunately it doesn't work. It's not some form of ancient magic, but rather a substituion for genetic mutation. New species keep evolving and being born. It's continuous, a part of all time.
Hmmm... that's a tough one. Maybe just pick a word with a magical connotation. Like "Cantrip" or something. I'd say that the accuracy of its meaning is nowhere near as important as coming up with a cool phrase that people will remember. Something like "The Shining" only not that obviously.
I like the idea of "innate magic". "Racial" kinda gives off the wrong impression I think. While not used in a taxonomic sense, the word "race" is still used when talking about sapient species other than humans. I believe this originally stems from the biblical study of near-human races who were believed to exist in various parts of the world, such as monopods, and there was a debate at the times as to whether those races would be sufficiently human-like as to require preaching to. Tolkien later used this word to describe his near-human species, and fantasy ran with it. So you're not using the word race incorrectly here. The trouble is, I think using the word "racial" might have certain connotations to real-world politics that you might not want.
Ya, it has a fantasy base and Tolkien has all my searches showing "fantasy races." Innate magic, with a description might work. I'll work on it and post it later. You sound kind of racist and homophobic. Even if you're being sarcastic "annoying gay people" is pretty immature for the 21st century. My book is cyberpunk sci-fantasy, for lack of a better term. Fantasy races are a common term, I'm just looking for the right description. I don't use the common, but here's an example. Human, Elf, Dwarf. Would you call it races? Also, I wanted different cultures in the same species to be able to adapt their original innate magic (evolving). Still going to work on it, but what about something like this? All sentient beings inherently have a form of unique innate magic; distinguished by culture, species, or race (?).
You use the word species, so why not use the word species? That is, species magic? (Wow, that word looks funny after typing it three times.)
I want to thank everyone for replying, but I've decided to switch the novel from a high fantasy to a cyberpunk science fiction. It will still be a simulated reality work, but I decided to focus more on advanced technology than using magic to justify my world building. As Arthur C. Clarke said, ""Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." I will be taking components, that I dissected, and creating a separate WIP for NaNoWriMo. I tend to like to write more gritty, realistic novels. I'll take an anti-hero over a classic hero any day. For this project a cyberpunk science fiction just works better. Besides, my concept for my NaNoWriMo actually ended up being absorbed into my main WIP at one point. I took ideas I had for separate series, due to not being able to work on so many projects at once, and found ways to integrate them into a single series. It just felt a little forced at times, this is a much better situation.
He must of deleted the post, he was active around twenty minutes ago. He's probably not really racist, more likely simply immature. At least he recognized his comment was in poor taste.
Hi, Actually I don't have a problem with racial magic. It is limited to intelligent peoples, but there are different races of elves - eg dark elves, drow, high elves, wood elves etc so why not. The only problem I could see you having is the reader reaction if you started using actual races eg Caucasian. I think a lot of people might get upset if you started suggesting that white people have this magic and black people this other one. But look to Skyrim. They're fine with racial magic for different human races, eg Redguard, Nord, and Bretton. With animals I'd probably go with innate. Cheers, Greg.