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World · Foundations

Power Sources & Laws

Power sources & laws is the axis that classifies the rules by which power operates in a fantasy world. Where individual systems (magic, martial arts, sorcery, aura) catalog specific operations, this page asks what laws underlie all of them — what is power, where does it come from, what can it do, and what can it never do.

Every fantasy world rests on a power-law foundation. Some worlds derive all power from a single mana ocean; others have separate sources for different systems; others have power that's strictly conserved or freely created. These foundational laws decide what kinds of operations are even imaginable in the world.

On this page we walk the canonical power-law structures — single-source, multi-source, conserved, created, and the hybrid models — and how they shape what stories a world can tell.

Core characteristics

The defining properties that set this category apart from others.

  • Foundation-axis
    The base layer of how power works.
  • Cross-system
    Spans magic, martial arts, sorcery, aura.
  • Story-shaping
    Decides what operations are imaginable in the world.
  • Worldbuilding-essential
    Required for any consistent power system.

How it differs from neighboring categories

Even within the same family, each category has a distinct character. Comparing side by side is the fastest way to grasp the differences.

Power Sources & Laws

The laws by which power operates.

World Structure

The base layer of how the world is built.

Magic

One specific power system — channels external mana.

Martial Arts

One specific power system — cultivates inner energy.

When the power-law axis helps

Best when reading or designing a power system foundationally.

  • Reading a power system
    Understanding the foundation underneath stated operations.
  • Cross-system comparison
    Comparing magic and martial arts in the same world.
  • Worldbuilding design
    When a creator is establishing the power foundation.
  • Inconsistency-checking
    Verifying that power operations match the stated laws.

The canonical power-law structures

Most worlds use one of several patterns.

Single-source

All power derives from a single foundational source.

Multi-source

Different systems draw on different sources.

Conserved

Power is finite and cannot be created or destroyed.

Created

Power can be generated or removed by sufficient skill.

Limits of the power-law axis

Foundation work doesn't address specific operations.

  • Abstract
    Specific spells and operations live on system pages.
  • Varies by work
    Power laws shift dramatically across works.
  • Hidden assumptions
    Many works don't state their power laws explicitly.

15 data item(s) in this category are currently available only in the Korean source. View the Korean dataset →

How power-law systems develop

Power laws grow from simple foundations into nuanced systems.

Simple foundations tend to use a single source — mana, qi, faith — and let the system grow from there.

Mid-complexity foundations add multi-source structures and explicit conservation rules.

High-complexity foundations bring in specialized rules — power-trade systems, transformation laws, dimensional sources.

Reading the power-law axis

Sharpens alongside the system pages.

Read alongside Magic, Martial Arts, Sorcery, and Aura to see specific systems.

Pair with World Structure to see the broader foundation.

Return to World Lore for the big picture.