What Counts as Dark Magic?
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What Counts as Dark Magic?
I was wondering what magic is considered to be dark. I know technically magic is a tool and it depends on the users intention but some magical knowledge comes with certain negative associations. Off the top of my head I am thinking of Necromancy, Soulmancy, Blood Magic and Rune Magic. I added Rune magic because it involves the use of a living beings live essence/soul to power the item being created. I am sure there are others.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
Cheers
What are your thoughts on the subject?
Cheers
- Aermas
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Re: What Counts as Dark Magic?
Magic in Rifts is not just a tool though. It can literally corrode your soul.
Add Demon magic to your list
Add Demon magic to your list
Re: What Counts as Dark Magic?
Shifter's Summoning magic is often considered 'Dark' by others.

Darkness is eternal. And so am I.
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Re: What Counts as Dark Magic?
One could add Life Force Magic from PFRPG. While Through the Glass Darkly (Nightbane) states there are good Cybermages it generally involves torture and enslavement.
- Warshield73
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Re: What Counts as Dark Magic?
I think you would have to add bio-wizardry.
“No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever. There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand. The Centauri learned this lesson once, we will teach it to them again. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.”
- Citizen G'Kar, Babylon 5 - 2259
- Citizen G'Kar, Babylon 5 - 2259
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Re: What Counts as Dark Magic?
Bio-Wizardry (WB2), though this might be included in Rune Magicjtjr26 wrote: Sun Jun 29, 2025 11:55 pm I was wondering what magic is considered to be dark. I know technically magic is a tool and it depends on the users intention but some magical knowledge comes with certain negative associations. Off the top of my head I am thinking of Necromancy, Soulmancy, Blood Magic and Rune Magic. I added Rune magic because it involves the use of a living beings live essence/soul to power the item being created. I am sure there are others.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
Cheers
CIrcle Magic (PF2E), due to sacrifice requirements
Witchcraft, due to making a pact with dark forces
Magic practiced by Nxla's (sp?) Harvesters (WB12), though this might be lumped into Necromancy
Horune Dreamer Magic (WB7), their Combat Drones enslave creatures
Techno-Wizardry (half in jest), I mean you're perverting magic and technology to work together and can be done with any magic (including recognized dark magics so...)
I don't think there are rules per say or a class, but magic can be used to perform mutation/transformation on subjects and I'm not thinking of Bio-Wizardry, given AI (Lord of the Deep for example) and other statements that suggest this happens (like with Dark Hounds in WB16).
Elves might find Tattoo Magic to be Dark (given the negatives that apply to just them)
Re: What Counts as Dark Magic?
Walked the streets of the Chi-town Burbs and got a couple opinions via survey...
Mjr Tarik Ordel, Psi-Net, Chi-Town Sector 26 wrote:"Dark" magic? It is all dark. Every stinkin' mage is the embodiment of evil.
Arique Loofansa, humanoid in a large hooded cape and a strange accent wrote:Any magic that involves an element of destruction or control in opposition to the nature of the megaverse, either spiritual or physical
Lulo, street urchin wrote:The answer'll cost ya 10 creds... 20 creds for the right answer
Kaleb Goss, shopkeep wrote:Ya gonna buy summat?
Madame Bovanoy, Psychic Fortune Teller Extraordinaire (in a semi-trance) wrote:The spirit world... tells me to tell you... ah! What is written in the book is guidance enough for the one that masters the game....hmm more cryptic than usual, hope you know what to do with that...
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Re: What Counts as Dark Magic?
I don't know that Major Ordel seems a little biased to me.
“No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever. There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand. The Centauri learned this lesson once, we will teach it to them again. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.”
- Citizen G'Kar, Babylon 5 - 2259
- Citizen G'Kar, Babylon 5 - 2259