System Mechanics - Magic Structure

This description isn't the mechanic, but the structure.

I'm picturing a system of magic thats tool driven.

A character involved has a tool, a device used to operate magic safely. If it were a wand or a gun or a shield or whatever, components would fit into a capsule. You'll always need fuel to draw from and a component to activate it, once activated, you have a limited number of charges over a certain length of time.


Since Backlash is so prevalent, many devices are built to compress this violent force into pressurized glass and copper jars until it can be safely discharged.

Free Magic -- Wizards?

Free Magi for one reason or another, don't use technology in order to accomplish their means. They drain components on the fly and have to redirect backlash on their own. Because of this, even simple spells can be dangerous. Their benefit is that they have much more freedom when composing spells and can do a wide range of things with their components. The detriment is that they need to figure out what to do with their backlash on the fly. Some magi carry crystals to absorb it, but without concentration, it'll reap havoc.