D&D General What does "magic" mean? [Read carefully, you can't change your vote]

[Lanefan]

I see. So is the question really is whether there is some middle space between 'magic' and 'normal as in the real world?' I'd say there is, for example most people wouldn't probably see giant creatures as magic, even though they couldn't really function under the real world physics.

I'm not most people then, as to me the very fact that giants can't function under real-world physics means they need the environmental presence of magic in order to exist/survive. "Giant" versions of some smaller mundane creatures, e.g. a giant rat, could function under real-world physics and thus would survive were magic to disappear from the setting. (I've had to think about this due to the countless times I've had to rule on what counts as a "normal animal" for purposes of spells that affect such)

Same with a high-level fighter - she's able to do what she does only because of the environmental presence of magic. In a non-magical world she'd still have skill but only that of a good real-world swordswoman, not the quasi-superhero she can be in a magic-friendly setting.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

I'd say there is, for example most people wouldn't probably see giant creatures as magic, even though they couldn't really function under the real world physics.

So are you saying that dinosaurs that walked/ran on two legs did not exist? Or that huge grizzly or Kodiak bears cannot get up on their hind legs and walk?

 

[Mind of tempest]

So are you saying that dinosaurs that walked/ran on two legs did not exist? Or that huge grizzly or Kodiak bears cannot get up on their hind legs and walk?

giants can jump properly not even elephants can do that anymore so clearly magic has something to do with how they work.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

So are you saying that dinosaurs that walked/ran on two legs did not exist? Or that huge grizzly or Kodiak bears cannot get up on their hind legs and walk?

Duh! Both dinosaurs and bears are obviously magical!

But I meant things that would blatantly be impossible due the square cube law. Dragons flying, giant insects existing, some other giant creatures that are not build in a way that they could actually support their weight etc.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Duh! Both dinosaurs and bears are obviously magical!

But I meant things that would blatantly be impossible due the square cube law. Dragons flying, giant insects existing, some other giant creatures that are not build in a way that they could actually support their weight etc.

The square-cube law is the greatest killjoy of all the laws of physics. It's the first thing to go once I ascend to a higher level of existence.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

The square-cube law is the greatest killjoy of all the laws of physics. It's the first thing to go once I ascend to a higher level of existence.

Good luck with that! It kinda requires redesigning the basic math from scratch so it might have some unforeseen consequences!

 

[renbot]

Sigh. A little topic-adjacent, but does anyone else miss the spell-like/supernatural/extraordinary ability distinctions? Because sometimes I do.

One person's clunky is another person's elegant!

 

[Micah Sweet]

Good luck with that! It kinda requires redesigning basic math from scratch so it might have some unforeseen consequences!

My new world is going to be interesting...

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Sigh. A little topic-adjacent, but does anyone else miss the spell-like/supernatural/extraordinary ability distinctions? Because sometimes I do.

One person's clunky is another person's elegant!

Can't say I've missed it. What would you use it for?

 

[Oofta]

So are you saying that dinosaurs that walked/ran on two legs did not exist? Or that huge grizzly or Kodiak bears cannot get up on their hind legs and walk?

Dinos had hollow bones and did not have a humanoid shape. In addition, a T-Rex may have been 40 foot long, but it was only 12 foot tall. A large giant might be possible, huge and gargantuan giants probably not.