Originally Posted by
Clea
I think Marvel did have a basic set of rules for magic, at least in Doctor Strange's various series. Magic was a skill that was learned through intense, never-ending study of spells, talismans, and magical beings. Some of the magical beings out there are inter-dimensional beings that date back almost to the origin of the universe. They wield vast elemental powers tied to the creation of the universe itself. Some of them, like the Faltine (Dormammu, Umar, Clea in part) are actually sentient magical energy themselves. These beings are not subject to the rules of physics as we know them and they wield great elemental powers that can alter reality as we know it. Some of these beings are flat out malevolent (Dormammu for example), while others are quasi-benevolent towards humanity when it suits them (the Vishanti). At that level, those beings are pretty much always at some level of simmering war for dominance amongst themselves, and periodically they break out into flat out wars of aggression to determine who gets to be the top dog powers (War of the Seven Spheres) and rewrite the rules to suit themselves. Each dimension, such as the earth dimension, has a champion (Sorcerer Supreme) in place to protect their dimension from some of these more malevolent elder beings. The Sorcerer Supreme learns how to draw on the magical 'energy' of these various elder gods in order to perform magic here on Earth. An adept sorcerer can trap and store this sort of energy in various talismans. One of the consequences of using this sort of sorcery though, is if a sorcerer uses a spell to draw energy from one of these elder gods, that act serves to empower the god in return because it extends that deity's sphere of influence into the sorcerer's dimension. Strange in his early days sometimes cast spells drawing on Dormammu's power until he realized that he was unintentionally expanding Dormammu's influence in the earth dimension. Because magic is an act of thought and will, drawing on dark forces or casting spells to harm can affect the Sorcerer's personality and turn them towards increasingly darker uses of power. This can be a trap for a magic user, as the darker forces usually expect fealty in return and they're likely to destroy any acolyte that ticks them off (or who simply look magically delicious). One of the things that sets a Sorcerer Supreme apart from other magic users is that the Sorcerer Supreme has studied the strengths and weaknesses of these beings and therefore knows just how far they can use and push these darker gods around. Even the 'nice' powers like the Vishanti expect the Sorcerer Supreme to do their bidding, which has caused problems between Strange and the Vishanti in the past. The Vishanti regard Strange to be a particularly useful human ally because Strange has proven effective in guarding the earth dimension from powers like Dormammu. The protected Earth dimension acts sort of like the Wall in Game of Thrones. It keeps the darkness from encroaching on other magical dimensions controlled by the Visanti. You can look at the magic users in the Marvel universe in terms of a hierarchy or pecking order. At the top you have the Sorcerer Supreme who guards the entire earth dimension and who interacts with these mega powerful magical beings. The Sorcerer Supreme doesn't have to be the most powerful magic user. He/she doesn't even have to be good. They have to be the smartest and most experienced at dealing with major dimensional level threats. This is one reason why you always saw classic Strange studying, constantly. The amulets and talismans locked up in the Sanctum usually store major dimension altering powers. Underneath the Sorcerer Supreme come other sorcerers who don't have the breadth of knowledge and experience at the Sorcerer Supreme, but who have basically the same path of study, calling upon the eldricth powers, and use of talismans. These Sorcerers all have their own agendas. You may have magic users that are devoted to specific pantheons of gods, or even a single god or demon. The more closely tied a sorcerer is to a specific pantheon or being, the more likely it is that the god/demon is going to view that person as their champion/pawn. Separate from the sorcerers, there are also witches who may draw their powers directly from the energy of the earth (or their home planet), or from beings on the earth (fairies, demons, etc.). They could range from hedge witches on up to very power witches who own extensive grimoires of spells and charms. Could an average nobody teach themselves to become a magic user? Yes, with enough study, concentration, and will they could. They could also inadvertently use the wrong spell, or try to draw power from the wrong magical being, and then they'd be toast.