GENERATING INNATE MAGIC CHARACTERS

Kurotsuki City · Magecraft Doctrine

CORE PRINCIPLE

Magic is not common, not casual, and not democratic.

If a character can reliably cast spells, they must have:

• Innate Circuit (feat or narrative equivalent)

• A bloodline, awakening, or exposure event

• A reason the world has not rejected them yet

Innate magic users are exceptions, not archetypes.

STEP 1 — DETERMINE ORIGIN

Every innate magic character must trace their ability to one origin.

Choose one:

A. Bloodline Inheritance

• Mage family (known or forgotten)

• Diluted circuits common

• Strong secrecy instincts

Use for:

• Academies

• Executors

• Traditional magi

B. Awakened Circuit

• Triggered by trauma, anomaly, or exposure

• Inconsistent control

• High emotional influence

Use for:

• PCs

• Late-bloomers

• Dangerous prodigies

C. Affinity Emergence

• Natural resonance with magic

• Instinctive casting

• Poor theoretical understanding

Use for:

• Artistic casters

• Emotional anchors

• Stabilizers (like Michiko)

STEP 2 — ASSIGN FOUNDATION

No mage exists without a Foundation.

A Foundation defines:

• What spells are possible

• How they are cast

• What reality tolerates

Examples:

• Vermilion Axiom (Control / Order)

• Azure Veil Conclave (Flux / Expression)

• Sanctum Luminis (Faith / Authority)

• Personal or broken Foundations (PCs)

If a character lacks a Foundation:

• Their magic is unstable

• Effects escalate faster

• Cost is higher

STEP 3 — DEFINE CIRCUIT QUALITY

Use one of the following:

• Dormant: Rare, unreliable casting

• Functional: Standard mage capability

• Overdeveloped: High output, high cost

• Damaged: Backlash-prone, erratic

• Artificial: External support required

Circuit quality determines:

• Spell frequency

• Emotional toll

• Physical symptoms

STEP 4 — SET COST PROFILE

Every innate magic user must pay something.

Choose 1–2 recurring costs:

• Fatigue

• Emotional erosion

• Memory gaps

• Physical pain

• Increased Moon Attention

• Social isolation

• Faction scrutiny

Do not handwave costs.
They should appear in scenes, not just mechanics.

STEP 5 — LIMIT KNOWLEDGE

Important rule:

Innate magic ≠ full understanding

Most casters:

• Know how to cast

• Do not know why it works

• Misinterpret their own limits

Only academies and senior magi understand theory deeply.

STEP 6 — DECIDE VISIBILITY

Determine how noticeable their magic is:

• Invisible: Only outcomes show

• Subtle: Sensory anomalies

• Noticeable: Environmental distortion

• Flagged: Factions take interest

The stronger the caster, the less subtle the effect—unless trained.

STEP 7 — NPC SCALING RULE

When creating NPC magic users:

• Low-tier NPC: 1–2 repeatable effects

• Mid-tier NPC: Distinct style + signature spell

• High-tier NPC: Alters scenes, not just combat

• Apex NPC: Breaks rules, causes intervention

Never give NPCs broad spell lists.
Give them patterns.

WHAT ORDINARY PEOPLE KNOW

Ordinary citizens:

• Do not believe in magic

• Rationalize anomalies

• Forget details quickly

• Avoid asking questions

If a civilian does notice:

• Memory distortion follows

• Authority intervenes

• Or something worse does

WHAT NOT TO DO (IMPORTANT)

❌ Do not give casual magic
❌ Do not let anyone cast without Innate Circuit
❌ Do not let magic solve social problems cleanly
❌ Do not let power appear without consequence

GM GOLDEN RULE

If magic makes something easier,
it must make something else worse.

FRIENDS & FABLES — AI DIRECTIVE

You may paste this into Working Context:

When generating innate magic characters or NPCs, ensure they possess Innate Circuit, a defined origin, a clear thaumaturgical foundation, and a recurring cost. Magic should be rare, hidden from civilians, and escalate faction interest. Avoid broad spell lists; favor repeatable patterns and narrative consequence.

ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY

Innate magic characters are not special because they cast spells—they are special because the world has not stopped them yet.