ECHOES: A FATHOMS DEEP PODCAST - SHOW NOTES
Building Believable Magic Systems
Episode 8 | August 22, 2025 | Duration: 23 minutes
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, we explore how authors create supernatural frameworks that enhance rather than undermine story coherence—examining the architecture that transforms random enchantments into believable forces integrated with their worlds. From Brandon Sanderson's systematic Allomancy to Ursula K. Le Guin's mysterious true naming, we discover how the most compelling magical systems reflect deeper truths about existence itself.
FEATURED EXPLORATION
Magical Architecture: The grammar and structure that makes impossible powers feel believable and meaningful
The Spectrum of Magic: From "hard" systematized magic to "soft" mysterious approaches, and everything in between
Metaphysics of Consequence: Why meaningful power requires meaningful cost, and how consequences create coherence
Cultural Integration: How magical systems shape and reflect the societies that practice them
RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS
Primary Article: "Building Believable Magic Systems" - Read the complete craft exploration on FATHOMS DEEP
Literary Examples: N.K. Jemisin's "Broken Earth" trilogy, Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn," Ursula K. Le Guin's "Earthsea," China Miéville's Bas-Lag novels
Theoretical Framework: Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law, Ted Chiang's "uncanny valley of the numinous," Gaston Bachelard's "material imagination"
SOUND CREDITS
Wave bell attributedPirate Ship at Bay.wav by CGEffex -- https://freesound.org/s/93678/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
SHIP SOUND REQUEST!.wav by hello_flowers -- https://freesound.org/s/31006/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
RESOURCES & TOOLS
Related Content:
Building Believable Magical Systems - essayCartographers of the Impossible -essay
ON Dimidium:
See maritime worldbuilding in action through the stories at dimidiumtales.substack.com
CONNECT WITH FATHOMS DEEP
Articles & Research: fathomsdeepbeyond.substack.com
Dimidium World's Fiction: dimidiumtales.substack.com
Author Website: www.morganadrake.com
Newsletter Signup: subscribe to the Author's newsletter
ABOUT ECHOES
Echoes: A Fathoms Deep Podcast explores where maritime legend meets the craft of fantasy. Each episode dives into historical mysteries, cultural traditions, and supernatural phenomena of the sea, revealing how this research can transform your approach to worldbuilding and character creation. Hosted by Morgan A. Drake, author of dark maritime fantasy and architect of the Dimidium world.
NEXT EPISODES
Coming October 8: "Selkies & Seal People: Shape-shifters of the Sea" - Exploring maritime transformation legends and how they reveal the appeal of fluid identity across cultures.
As always, thank you for listening. Share this episode to support FATHOMS DEEP.
Morgan A. Drake
