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Interview #1052: WOR Signing Table Q&A, Entry #108

Rhandric

How many magic systems are there on Roshar?

Brandon Sanderson

It depends on your definition. Is Windrunning its own magic system, or is it a division of a larger magic system? Are the ten different Surges each their own magic system, or are they all the same one?

Rhandric

If you assume the surges are all one.

Brandon Sanderson

Well then you would have Surgebinding, and the Old Magic, those are two at least, and there are things that are not explained in those at all, and how do you count creating fabrials? Is that a science and not a magic? Is that its own magic system?

Rhandric

It’s a science, because anyone can do it.

Brandon Sanderson

So Awakening is not a magic, then? Awakening’s a science? Because anyone can Awaken if they get the breath.

Rhandric

That’s something that stood out to me, because in all your other magic systems that we’ve seen so far there has to be some sort of snapping to occur, and that’s unique, because- […] Is there an active magic system on Threnody?

Brandon Sanderson

Threnody has a non Shard-based…it depends on what you call a magic system. Do spirits coming back from the dead count as magic? It’s science to them, but, it’s goofy science.

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