In one of our stories, a Magikito suggests sorting out the biscuits according to everyone's Sparks. Adventure gets sent to fetch them. Wisdom asks how many there are. Luck has already found two in his pocket and claims to have no idea how they got there. A promising start.
Sparks give the Magikitos character and help us tell stories about things we care about. Sometimes a story strikes a chord. Sometimes it turns into a biscuit investigation. The woodland authorities have their hands full.
What are Magic Sparks?
Sparks are twelve themes in the fictional world of the Magikitos, including Love, Calm and Creativity. They help us imagine these characters and the stories they might live through. A Magikito can be associated with one or several Sparks. The handmade figures represent the characters, but they don't emit magical energy or have proven supernatural powers.
When we say a character “carries Calm”, we're describing a story and what the character stands for. Perhaps it reminds you of an unhurried afternoon or someone you feel comfortable with. That's a meaning you can give it, rather than something installed inside the figure like a battery.
The twelve themes aren't boxes that have to contain your entire life. Several might appeal to you, or none at all. Tomorrow you might feel differently. Nobody will revoke your Adventure membership because you'd rather stay on the sofa tonight.
The twelve Sparks, out in the woods
Love
Affection that shows up in small acts. In a story, this might be the character who saves a slice of cake for someone arriving late. There's room for romantic love, friendship, family and the person who asks how you are and actually waits for an answer.
Loyalty
Keeping your word and being someone others can rely on. If this Magikito promises to help move a table, he'll turn up. He may complain about the weight, but he'll turn up. Loyalty doesn't mean putting up with any treatment or giving up your right to set boundaries.
Luck
The delight of a fortunate coincidence: finding something you thought you'd lost or arriving just as the rain stops. It's useful material for a tale, rather than a promise of prizes, money or winning lottery numbers. The fellow with the biscuits remains under suspicion.
Protection
Looking out for one another. It could inspire a character who points out a fallen branch or accompanies someone unfamiliar with the path. It symbolises care. It isn't a shield against accidents or a guarantee that nothing bad will happen.
Calm
A pause before firing off a heated reply, or the pleasure of doing something without checking the time. This Magikito might listen while everyone else argues. He doesn't have to sort out their lives. Keeping their elbows out of his tea would be a decent start.
Joy
A laugh that catches on, or a daft moment that becomes everyone's favourite memory of the afternoon. This character could organise a party with three leaves and a spoon. That doesn't mean everyone has to be cheerful all the time. There's room for difficult days in the woods too.
Creativity
Trying an idea before you know whether it'll work. Drawing a wonky house, inventing a story or making an acorn a hat. Creativity's Magikito produces something very peculiar and announces that it was exactly what he'd planned. Occasionally, he gets away with it.
Wisdom
Asking questions, listening and being able to say, “I haven't a clue.” A solemn voice and a floor-length beard are optional. This might be the character who checks the map while the others are busy getting lost with tremendous confidence.
Adventure
Curiosity about something unfamiliar. A new recipe or a walk you haven't tried can be a small adventure. You needn't cross the world or mistake enthusiasm for a reason to be reckless. Taking some water remains sensible, even in a magical story.
Nature
Seeing the woods as a living place worth caring for. Watching a bird, picking up a wrapper or leaving a mushroom where it grows. This Magikito might spend a whole scene observing an ant. It won't make the headlines, but he's having a lovely time.
Home
Feeling welcome. It could happen in a shared kitchen, during a chat on a bench or when someone makes room at the table. You don't need to own a house to understand it. This Magikito makes sure there's a spare chair, even if he ends up on a log.
Dreams
Imagination, and things you'd like to experience or create. A character might want to write a song or build a boat from walnut shells. Dreaming doesn't guarantee success, and this Spark isn't a treatment for insomnia. As a starting point for a story, though, it gives us plenty to work with.
Mix a few together and see what happens
Calm and Creativity might suggest a Magikito happily spending the afternoon painting. Adventure and Luck could inspire one who goes exploring and stumbles across a shortcut. Home and Protection might shape a character making room for a visiting friend.
These combinations help us invent characters, rather than rank their powers. Three Sparks don't make one Magikito better than another with a single Spark. We have twelve themes and plenty of different stories to tell with them.
You might look at this scene and think of company, a quiet evening or simply a hat you like. There's no need to feel anything extraordinary. A picture can appeal to you without delivering a life-changing revelation.
The figures and photographs give us somewhere to start. After that, we can each imagine the conversation. We reckon these two have found a comfortable spot and have absolutely no intention of getting up to do the washing-up.
Can the quiz tell me which Spark I need?
The quiz offers a playful interpretation of your answers within the Magikitos world. It might give you an idea for exploring characters or talking about what appeals to you at the moment. It isn't a psychological assessment or a diagnosis, and the result doesn't know your needs better than you do.
You'll find it on the twelve Sparks page. If the result feels spot on, lovely. If it doesn't, disagree, browse other characters or leave the quiz alone. There's no hidden answer to get right and no wrong Spark you have to exchange.
Something to share without making a production of it
If a Spark reminds you of someone, you could send them a story, write a note or suggest something you know they'd enjoy doing. “Saw this and thought of you” can say quite a lot. There's no need to turn the gesture into a lecture about everything you think their life is missing.
You could also ask which character makes them smile. Perhaps you've prepared a thoughtful speech about Wisdom, only to discover they like the one with the wonky hat. Fair enough. There's more fun to be had when we leave room for someone else's imagination.
Meanwhile, the biscuit inquiry continues. Luck says they vanished by magic. There are crumbs all down his waistcoat, but we ought to hear his side of the story.
