#probablyworldbuildingrpgideas

How does magic work within civilization in your world? 

There are several questions you have to ask in any world that you put magic into. Here are a couple:  How readily available is magic? Is magic something common that many people can do, or is it a gift that few people can properly harness? 

Do specific groups of people feel more attuned to specific types of magic? Do Elves feel more in tune with healing magic? Do Dwarves use fire magic often to heat their forges? 

What magic is limited, and how is magic and how are specific types of magic viewed? Is necromancy seen as a sin and generally frowned upon, is it a moral grey, or is it almost encouraged? If you go from town to town, how do views of magic change, and what laws are there regarding magic in certain areas? A village of wooden houses might very understandably have strict regulations or an outright ban on the use of fire magic, but allow other types of magic more freely. 

You also have to ask what is required to use magic. Is spellcasting or theory of the arcane taught in schools, or is it considered common knowledge? Could your players acquire an education in magic use, or is a degree or license in magic use absolutely required? Maybe there are licenses for certain types of spells, or some level of training or application is required before even those talented with magic can use more powerful spells. 

How does magic effect conflict? Do mages stand besides archers and fling fireballs into opposing forces? Do specially trained agents use magic to convey secret information? 

Is the use of magic in its entirety debated? Are people superstitious of magic, or think it causes more harm than good? Do arguments over magic laws occur, and if so how does that effect an area, the world, and your players?

What purpose does magic hold in the life of NPCs? Can NPCs go to healers with some skill in healing magic? Maybe magic is sometimes used by criminals and thugs to smuggle items or threaten others like a weapon. Perhaps cooks use magic to heat foods at a specific temperature, or roast marshmallows perfectly. 

For any particular region, town, village, etc. How mixed is the area? Are the vast majority of people one particular group, or are there a couple different races / specie groups that are all pretty common?

Additionally, how do these groups settle? Is the area very mixed with people of different species / races living side by side, or within that area have different groups formed their own smaller communities, with for example elves and humans typically living in special areas? If this is the case, is this by some law(s), or is it just generally what people tend to do?

Also, how do people receive other races/species, either from that area or outside? Do Dwarves scowl at Elves in disgust? Do they view Humans as friends or allies, or just another stranger on the street?