Symbols for each of the schools of magic

[somethingrandom]

I am working on an idea for a craft project, the cover for a spellbook. I would like to include symbols for each of d&ds schools of magic.
I have ideas I like for some of the schools but I was hoping for suggestion for the other schools.
Conjuration: Portal
Divination: Crystal Ball
Echantment: ????
Evocation: Fire/Lighting bolt/Snowflake/ combination depending on space
Illusion: ????
Necromancy: Skull
Trasmutation:????

[Metastachydium]

I don't think I'd go quite as direct, obvious and figurative as that. Magic should at least pretend to be beyond the ken of mere mundane mortals! Have you considered something more oblique and, say, runic/runiform in inspiration? For instance:

, where the symbols are, from left to right
1. the Pool (Divination);
2. the Shield (or the Barred Door; Abjuration);
3. the Caller (Conjuration);
4. the Bolt (Evocation);
5. the Wings (Transmutation)[and yes, it's totally a butterfly];
6. the Yoke (Enchantment);
7. the Gibbet (or the Scythe; Necromancy); and
8. the Tent (Enchantment).

[Millstone85]

I think Metastachydium nailed it.

Now, if you still want more detailed symbols, I would suggest a pendulum, Rubin's vase and the philosopher's stone.



Respectively for the schools of enchantment, illusion and transmutation.

[brian 333]

There is a ninth school so often overlooked that it is seldom considered a school, but it is the essential school for any arcane caster. With few and mostly low level spells which are available to all specialists, a spells per day penalty for choosing this school, and no bonuses to casting spells of this school, few PCs pursue the Generalist school.

So, why bother with a symbol for a school nobody cares to specialize in? But if you do bother to create a symbol for it, might I suggest a knot, possibly a double square knot. Elegant simplicity with incredible strength, to symbolize the magic which unites all others.

[Bohandas]

For transmutation, maybe the symbol of the philosopher's stone

here's the basic version from wikipedia



I've also created a couple of tweaked versions of this with some modern zhuzh that you're welcome to use; they appear below:

[somethingrandom]

Thank you for the suggestions I have decided to go with Metastachydium's suggestion

[Metastachydium]

I'm helping! (If, for any reason, you want to use the names I gave them as well, I'd recommend the Veil for no. 8 (Illusion), in hindsight.)

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Metastachydium
Have you considered something more oblique and, say, runic/runiform in inspiration?

These are absolutely brilliant. I’m strongly tempted to make them canon in one or more of my settings.

[Metastachydium]

These are absolutely brilliant. I’m strongly tempted to make them canon in one or more of my settings.

Give in to your anger the temptation! I'd be mighty honoured (and happy to know my fascination with grammatology (in the pre-deconstructivist sense of the word) still has assorted situational uses)!

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Metastachydium
Give in to...the temptation!

Will do, and much appreciated.

Originally Posted by brian 333
There is a ninth school so often overlooked that it is seldom considered a school….if you do bother to create a symbol for it, might I suggest a knot, possibly a double square knot.

Interesting and elegant idea, although perhaps a bit elaborate.

As a simpler alternative I would suggest a circle, encompassing everything, on which every point is equal.

[Millstone85]

There is a ninth school so often overlooked that it is seldom considered a school [...] the Generalist school [...] if you do bother to create a symbol for it, might I suggest a knot, possibly a double square knot. Elegant simplicity with incredible strength, to symbolize the magic which unites all others.

Interesting and elegant idea, although perhaps a bit elaborate.

As a simpler alternative I would suggest a circle, encompassing everything, on which every point is equal.

How about the "Ing" rune?



It is about as complex as the others and it looks close enough to a square knot.

[Metastachydium]

How about the "Ing" rune?

[IMG]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Runic_letter_ingwaz_variant.svg[IMG]

It is about as complex as the others and it looks close enough to a square knot.

I support this motion, for one!

[Millstone85]

I support this motion, for one!

In that case, and though it is surely too late, here is how I would now picture OP's spellbook:

It felt right to start with Evocation and to end with Necromancy.

Also, I tried to make each horizontal binome somewhat complementary:

• Evocation and Abjuration, the bread and butter of war magic.
• Divination and Illusion, both concerned with information.
• Conjuration and Enchantment, the puppet masters.
• Transmutation and Necromancy, transcending this mortal coil.

Not the only way to organize the schools, of course.

[Bohandas]

In that case, and though it is surely too late, here is how I would now picture OP's spellbook:

I would move the symbols to the vertices and endpoints

[Millstone85]

I would move the symbols to the vertices and endpoints

Alright, here are some variations.

Spoiler: Midway through each segment.

Show

Spoiler: In the space between the lines.

Show

Spoiler: On the vertices and endpoints.

Show

Personally, the first is still my favourite.

[brian 333]

I don't think I'd go quite as direct, obvious and figurative as that. Magic should at least pretend to be beyond the ken of mere mundane mortals! Have you considered something more oblique and, say, runic/runiform in inspiration? For instance:

, where the symbols are, from left to right
1. the Pool (Divination);
2. the Shield (or the Barred Door; Abjuration);
3. the Caller (Conjuration);
4. the Bolt (Evocation);
5. the Wings (Transmutation)[and yes, it's totally a butterfly];
6. the Yoke (Enchantment);
7. the Gibbet (or the Scythe; Necromancy); and
8. the Tent (Enchantment).

I'm helping! (If, for any reason, you want to use the names I gave them as well, I'd recommend the Veil for no. 8 (Illusion), in hindsight.)

When I saw the first one I said to myself, "Myself, that's awesome!"

Of course, 2&3 are awesome too. My order of favorites, 2, 1, 3. However, any of them is a good choice.

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Millstone85
Alright, here are some variations.

First version is also my favorite, but I have to say the second one has its own appeal. It feels very esoteric, as if you could find that design etched into the far wall of a cave monastery, where mystics and sages have meditated on the philosophical interplay of the schools of magic from the most ancient of days.

[Dice Goblin]

In that case, and though it is surely too late, here is how I would now picture OP's spellbook:

It felt right to start with Evocation and to end with Necromancy.

Also, I tried to make each horizontal binome somewhat complementary:

• Evocation and Abjuration, the bread and butter of war magic.
• Divination and Illusion, both concerned with information.
• Conjuration and Enchantment, the puppet masters.
• Transmutation and Necromancy, transcending this mortal coil.

Not the only way to organize the schools, of course.

Interesting and elegant, really like this design.

[Millstone85]

First version is also my favorite

Interesting and elegant, really like this design.

Thank you both.

I have to say the second one has its own appeal. It feels very esoteric, as if you could find that design etched into the far wall of a cave monastery, where mystics and sages have meditated on the philosophical interplay of the schools of magic from the most ancient of days.

I am glad that one inspires you as well.

[Bohandas]

The idea with putting it on the vertices is that it would look kimd of like that one esoteric diagram you see everywhere. Although I suppose in that case the symbols would have to be circled as well