Limits of Magic

Idea; Magic

Magic is very powerful. However, as magic is understood by most spellcasters, it has limits. All spells and most other magic obey these limits.

1. Limit of Divinity: There are some beings and forces whose nature, intent, and influence cannot be understood or changed by magic. Some spellcasters see this limit as arising from the cumulative belief of a large number of mortal beings, while others see it as evidence of one or more higher powers.
2. Limit of Essential Nature: Each thing has an essential nature. This includes including all beings, matter, energy, and forces. A thing's essential nature is tied the thing's identity, including its origins and composition. Magic can change any or every other aspect of a thing except this essential nature.
3. Limit of True Belief: Magic can't create, change, or destroy a being's true belief. Magic can repress a belief or create a false contradictory belief, but the true belief will eventually revert back. Some spellcasters view this limit as a special case of the Limit of Essential Nature. True love and similar pure feelings are true beliefs, so they also can't be fundamentally changed with magic.
4. Limit of Entropy: Everything has a cost and everything wears out. There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch (TANSTAAFL). There is no true perpetual motion.

See also: Laws of Magic; Summoning