Sorcerer Backstory Generator: Power Nobody Asked For

Press New backstory for where the power came from, how it leaks, what it costs and how they hide it.

Sorcerer Backstory Generator: Power Nobody Asked For: 30 backstories

The power came from a birth on a river barge during an eclipse. It first showed when the kettle sang a tune nobody had taught it. Unwatched, it greens the handle of any wooden spoon. First to notice: a mother who quietly hid the good cutlery. It costs them their shadow for a day. They hide it with long walks alone before breakfast.

Padlock: keep a part. Arrows: change only that part.

Power froma birth on a river barge during an eclipse
First showed whenthe kettle sang a tune nobody had taught it
Unwatched, itgreens the handle of any wooden spoon
First to noticea mother who quietly hid the good cutlery
Costs themtheir shadow for a day
Hidden withlong walks alone before breakfast

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The power came from a birth on a river barge during an eclipse. It first showed when the kettle sang a tune nobody had taught it. Unwatched, it greens the handle of any wooden spoon. First to notice: a mother who quietly hid the good cutlery. It costs them their shadow for a day. They hide it with long walks alone before breakfast.
The power came from a sneeze during an eclipse. It first showed when a paper boat sailed against the current. Unwatched, it pulls smoke toward them. First to notice: the family dog, who was not surprised. It costs them the warmth in their hands until evening. They hide it with boots with iron nails in the soles.
The power came from a grandmother who was struck by lightning twice. It first showed when the tide went out early for their sandcastle. Unwatched, it sets the kettle whistling as they pass. First to notice: their own reflection, a moment before they did. It costs them every knot they have tied that day. They hide it with sleeves a hand too long.
The power came from a spark from an anvil, caught on the tongue. It first showed when every candle in the house lit at once. Unwatched, it puts a faint glow under their fingernails. First to notice: a painter who put the glow in the portrait. It costs them their voice until the next sunrise. They hide it with a pocket mirror to check the eyes.
The power came from a fallen star picked up while still warm. It first showed when they sang and the dog answered in words. Unwatched, it sends small sparks from their sleeves. First to notice: a schoolmaster who set them extra homework. It costs them the ability to whistle, sometimes for weeks. They hide it with tinted spectacles.
The power came from a pat on the head from a stranger at a fair. It first showed when a stunned sparrow got up when they lifted it. Unwatched, it quiets every baby in the room. First to notice: a clockmaker whose clocks all stopped. It costs them the answer yes to the next thing anyone asks. They hide it with complaints about the wind in the chimney.
The power came from a tide pool that held the moon after it set. It first showed when a soap bubble lasted until supper. Unwatched, it warms the bench for whoever sits next. First to notice: a child at the window opposite. It costs them the smell of rain, which they loved. They hide it with a ghost story about the house, started on purpose.
The power came from a side of the family left off the tree. It first showed when every drawer in the kitchen opened politely. Unwatched, it sets spoons turning slowly in their cups. First to notice: a crow that began leaving gifts. It costs them every knot they have tied that day. They hide it with a story about a very odd cat.
The power came from a music box that played once and never again. It first showed when their shadow got up before they did. Unwatched, it straightens pictures on the wall. First to notice: a painter who put the glow in the portrait. It costs them the smell of rain, which they loved. They hide it with a story about a very odd cat.
The power came from a mouthful of snow from a very strange winter. It first showed when every weed in the schoolyard flowered. Unwatched, it sets hens laying at midnight. First to notice: a washerwoman who found frost in the pockets. It costs them a night of standing wide awake. They hide it with the town's firm belief that nothing happens here.
The power came from a river pearl swallowed on a dare. It first showed when the cat began to float and did not seem to mind. Unwatched, it floats small things an inch off the table. First to notice: an old man next door who felt the air change. It costs them the sweetness in anything sweet for a day. They hide it with a claim to be learning conjuring tricks.
The power came from a long bout of hiccups that ended in sparks. It first showed when they hiccuped and a spoon bent. Unwatched, it makes lamps burn blue in the room. First to notice: a friend who had suspected for years. It costs them every knot they have tied that day. They hide it with gloves in summer.
The power came from a music box that played once and never again. It first showed when the town pump gave lemonade for an hour. Unwatched, it makes compass needles lose interest in north. First to notice: a market crowd that clapped, thinking it a trick. It costs them any quarrel that day, which the other side wins. They hide it with a candle carried in daylight.
The power came from a room in their own house that was not there before. It first showed when a soap bubble lasted until supper. Unwatched, it knits loose threads into tiny knots. First to notice: the baker, because the ovens lit themselves. It costs them one name each time, chosen by it and not by them. They hide it with a copper bracelet.
The power came from the top of a hill where three winds meet. It first showed when the tower clock ran backward for an afternoon. Unwatched, it ripens fruit in the bowl overnight. First to notice: the whole family at dinner, all at once. It costs them every knot they have tied that day. They hide it with cold suppers only.
The power came from a tide pool that held the moon after it set. It first showed when the weathervane turned to face them. Unwatched, it makes milk keep a week longer. First to notice: the whole family at dinner, all at once. It costs them what they came into the room for. They hide it with a claim to be learning conjuring tricks.
The power came from an argument with the moon, which they won. It first showed when the soup stirred itself and would not stop. Unwatched, it sends ants round them in a perfect ring. First to notice: a guild that wanted dues. It costs them their voice until the next sunrise. They hide it with hands kept firmly in pockets.
The power came from a pond that never freezes. It first showed when they yawned and the whole room slept. Unwatched, it melts a ring in the snow where they stand. First to notice: a collector of curiosities with a notebook. It costs them their sense of direction until they sleep. They hide it with an older sister who stands in front.
The power came from a bee sting from a hive in a ruined tower. It first showed when they laughed and the windows rattled. Unwatched, it makes clocks run a little fast. First to notice: a guild that wanted dues. It costs them the answer yes to the next thing anyone asks. They hide it with a claim to be learning conjuring tricks.
The power came from a room in their own house that was not there before. It first showed when every drawer in the kitchen opened politely. Unwatched, it sets two small lights where their eyes are at night. First to notice: a tutor who wrote it all down. It costs them the flame of whatever candle is closest. They hide it with the simple truth, which nobody believes.
The power came from ink spilled from a book that should have stayed shut. It first showed when they blushed and the snow melted round their boots. Unwatched, it sends ants round them in a perfect ring. First to notice: a guild that wanted dues. It costs them the tick of their pocket watch for an hour. They hide it with a seat by the door.
The power came from a river pearl swallowed on a dare. It first showed when the candle they blew out lit the one beside it. Unwatched, it keeps rain from landing on them. First to notice: a tutor who wrote it all down. It costs them the shine on everything metal they own. They hide it with hands kept firmly in pockets.
The power came from a birth on a river barge during an eclipse. It first showed when they lost their temper and the puddles boiled. Unwatched, it makes milk keep a week longer. First to notice: a stranger who had been looking for exactly this. It costs them the ability to whistle, sometimes for weeks. They hide it with a name as a brilliant inventor.
The power came from a pond that never freezes. It first showed when the bathwater ran uphill. Unwatched, it sets the kettle whistling as they pass. First to notice: a crow that began leaving gifts. It costs them any quarrel that day, which the other side wins. They hide it with a small fiddle, played badly.
The power came from the last step of a stair that goes one step too far. It first showed when apples ripened on the branch they climbed. Unwatched, it straightens pictures on the wall. First to notice: a child at the window opposite. It costs them the bloom on the nearest flower. They hide it with a whole street that has agreed not to see.
The power came from parents who met in a dream they both had. It first showed when the pond froze in June. Unwatched, it makes flowers turn to face them. First to notice: a tax assessor wondering how to tax it. It costs them their place in whatever they were saying. They hide it with a watering can.
The power came from a spark from an anvil, caught on the tongue. It first showed when they blushed and the snow melted round their boots. Unwatched, it cools tea before it reaches their mouth. First to notice: an ice seller who offered them a partnership. It costs them the opening word of anything they say till dusk. They hide it with early nights and late mornings.
The power came from a plain ring found in a bird's nest. It first showed when they wished the lesson over, and it was Thursday. Unwatched, it sends ants round them in a perfect ring. First to notice: the cat, which moved out for a week. It costs them the trust of every horse for a day. They hide it with a flat denial and a change of subject.
The power came from a garden that gave them its last summer. It first showed when they cried and it rained indoors. Unwatched, it starts a ring of mist round their ankles. First to notice: a rival family whose child could not. It costs them a night of standing wide awake. They hide it with the simple truth, which nobody believes.
The power came from a dream they woke from on the wrong side. It first showed when rain fell on the playground and nowhere else. Unwatched, it unties bootlaces, theirs and other people's. First to notice: a night watchman who put it in his report. It costs them an hour in which they cannot lie. They hide it with a grandmother who says it is only her cooking.

Next step Design the gloves and the hat Pick a pose for the first sign

Power from: all 60 sources

Born with it 12

a birth on a river barge during an eclipse A dark sun reflected in flat water and one lit cabin window.
a family that marries only in thunderstorms A wedding party under one enormous tarpaulin, all smiling.
a first breath taken at exactly midnight A clock face with both hands straight up and a lit window under it.

Show all 60 sources (57 more)

Born with it, continued

a freckle on the wrist that looks like a keyhole On the inside of the wrist. Light seems to come through it.
a grandmother who was struck by lightning twice She is in the family portrait with her hair standing straight up.
a line of bakers whose bread always rose Loaves the size of hay bales in a small shop window.
a name that should not have been given twice Carved on an old stone and stitched on a new blanket.
a side of the family left off the tree A family tree with one name inked over.
a twin who got none of it Two identical children. Only one casts a second shadow.
an ancestor who winks from the family painting The same face in three frames, each a little more amused.
being the seventh child of a seventh child A row of siblings by height and one at the end with a faint glow.
parents who met in a dream they both had Two sleepers in two towns, drawn back to back.

Swallowed, touched or caught 12

a bee sting from a hive in a ruined tower One swollen fingertip that gives off a faint hum.
a coin found inside a fish Held up between finger and thumb at a kitchen table.
a fallen star picked up while still warm Cupped in both hands, lighting the face from below.
a ladle of well water on the wrong night A bucket with a full moon in it and the ladle already at the lips.
a mouthful of snow from a very strange winter Tongue out under a sky with one cloud in it.
a pat on the head from a stranger at a fair A crowd, a striped tent, a hand, and hair that never lay flat again.
a river pearl swallowed on a dare Three children on a bank, two of them horrified.
a seed that sprouted in their pocket A green shoot coming out past the coat flap.
a snowflake that landed and did not melt On the back of a mitten, still there in the next panel and the one after.
a spark from an anvil, caught on the tongue Mouth open in surprise and a blacksmith turning round.
a splinter from a struck oak, never removed A dark fleck under the skin of one palm.
ink spilled from a book that should have stayed shut A stain on the fingers shaped a little too much like writing.

A place 12

a bridge built by nobody anyone can name One mossy arch over a stream too small to need it.
a cave where the echo answers first Standing at the mouth with a hand to one ear, puzzled.
a cellar under a house that had been a conjurors' school Chalk marks on the flagstones and a child with a candle stub.
a crossroads at noon on the longest day No shadow at all under the figure in the middle.
a field where lightning comes back every spring Scorched circles in the grass like stepping stones.
a pond that never freezes A dark circle in a white field and steam lifting from it.
a room in their own house that was not there before A door between two doors, a slightly different shade of paint.
a tide pool that held the moon after it set Crouched on rock with a bright disc at their feet and none in the sky.
the hollow of a tree older than the town Small boots sticking out of a trunk as wide as a house.
the last step of a stair that goes one step too far A foot in mid-air above a landing that should not be there.
one night asleep inside a ring of mushrooms Curled in the grass with a perfect circle of caps round them.
the top of a hill where three winds meet Coat pulled three ways at once.

Given or left behind 12

a blessing delivered to the wrong cradle Two cradles by two windows and a moth at the wrong one.
a book that arrived addressed to them at birth Wrapped in brown paper on a doorstep beside the milk.
a coat bought used, with something sewn in the hem A thumb finding a small hard shape through the cloth.
a debt repaid to their mother by a stranger A cloaked figure at a gate, bowing to a woman with a baby.
a garden that gave them its last summer Bare beds all round and one child standing in the only patch of green.
a kindness to an old woman at a well A bucket carried, a nod given, something passed from palm to palm.
a music box that played once and never again Lid open, key turning, a face lit with listening.
a plain ring found in a bird's nest A band of metal among twigs and three speckled eggs.
a toy that had belonged to something much older A wooden horse worn smooth by hands that were not hands.
a tutor who taught one lesson too many A slate with one line wiped off in a hurry.
a wish made by somebody else on their behalf A birthday cake, a sibling blowing, eyes sliding sideways.
an inheritance from an uncle they never met A small trunk with a label and a very large padlock.

Nobody knows 12

a cat that chose them and will not explain The cat sits on their head in every later scene.
a comet that passed the night they were named A streak over a rooftop and a household looking up.
a dream they woke from on the wrong side The bed is against the other wall now.
a long bout of hiccups that ended in sparks A hand over the mouth and small lights escaping between the fingers.
a mistake in a recipe A pot boiling over in several directions, including up.
a shadow that swapped with somebody else's Their shadow has a hat. They do not own a hat.
a sneeze during an eclipse Eyes shut, hat flying, the sky dark at noon.
a storm that followed their family for a week One cloud over one cart on a long empty road.
a word read aloud that was meant to be skipped A finger on a line of text and every candle bending inward.
an argument with the moon, which they won Hands on hips at a window. The moon is slightly smaller than usual.
falling asleep in a library and waking fluent Face down on an open book, one page stuck to the cheek.
nowhere anyone can find: it was there one morning Waking with every object in the room an inch to the left.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. The power here is inborn or accidental, never studied and never bargained for, so each source is an ancestor, an accident, a place or a gift. No entry uses a term from any game or names a tradition of magic. The notes on what to draw are our own suggestions. Licence: own work

First showed when: all 60 first signs

At home 12

all the clocks in the house agreed for once Five clock faces in a row showing exactly the same minute.
the bathwater ran uphill A thin stream climbing the side of a tub while a child watches, chin on the rim.
the bread rose until it lifted the oven door Dough pushing out round the edges of the door.

Show all 60 first signs (57 more)

At home, continued

the cat began to float and did not seem to mind Paws tucked under, eyes half shut, an inch above the hearthrug.
every candle in the house lit at once A dark house from outside with all its windows going bright together.
every drawer in the kitchen opened politely All the drawers out by the same hand's width.
the kettle sang a tune nobody had taught it Steam coming out in neat puffs like notes on a line.
the pond froze in June Ducks standing on the ice, deeply confused.
the soup stirred itself and would not stop A spoon going round in a pot while the cook holds both hands up.
their hair stood on end in a still room Hair stands like this when charged. Draw every strand straight out.
their shadow got up before they did A figure in bed and a shadow already stretching on the wall.
the washing dried on the line in a single breath A puff of steam above a row of stiff shirts.

At school and in town 12

a lost ball came back by a different route Rolling in at the gate, a little out of breath.
a snowball curved round a corner A dotted line bending round a wall toward a very surprised hat.
a stunned sparrow got up when they lifted it Cupped hands opening and a small bird shaking itself.
chalk wrote the answer on its own A stick of chalk mid-stroke with nobody holding it.
every weed in the schoolyard flowered Cracks in the paving picked out in tiny blooms.
rain fell on the playground and nowhere else A square of wet in a dry street.
the school bell rang early, and was right A teacher checking a watch and frowning at it.
spilled ink ran into the right order A blot stretching itself into a line of handwriting.
their kite flew on a windless day Smoke going straight up from every chimney and one kite string taut.
the tower clock ran backward for an afternoon People walking past, checking pockets, turning round.
the town pump gave lemonade for an hour A line of children with cups and one puzzled adult tasting it.
the weathervane turned to face them A child looking up and a brass arrow looking down.

In a mood 12

they blushed and the snow melted round their boots A dark circle of wet ground in a white yard.
they cried and it rained indoors A cloud just under the ceiling, the size of a pillow.
they hiccuped and a spoon bent The spoon droops like a tired flower.
they laughed and the windows rattled Glass shown with shake lines and a very small laughing figure.
they lost their temper and the puddles boiled Steam rising along a wet lane behind a stamping child.
they sang and the dog answered in words Draw the dog's speech bubble empty and the family staring.
they sneezed and the lamps went out A hand to the nose and a room going dark in one frame.
they sulked and their corner of the room got darker The light simply stops at a line across the floorboards.
they were frightened and vanished to the elbows A pair of sleeves ending in nothing.
they were told no and the door opened anyway A parent's pointing finger and a door swinging wide behind it.
they wished the lesson over, and it was Thursday A calendar with three pages on the floor.
they yawned and the whole room slept Heads down on desks in rows and one child still upright.

Out of doors 12

a blue glow sat on the tip of their fishing rod St. Elmo's fire is a blue or violet glow on pointed things in storms. Darken the sky.
a path appeared in the hayfield where they walked Grass parting a step ahead of the feet.
a rainbow ended, plainly, in their bucket The bucket is glowing a little. They are holding it very still.
a skipped stone hopped eleven times and came back A dotted arc out across a lake and a second one returning.
apples ripened on the branch they climbed Green fruit everywhere but round one pair of dangling boots.
birds landed on them and would not leave A child shaped mostly like sparrows.
fog followed them home like a dog A low bank of mist at heel all the way up the lane.
lightning struck the same tree twice to make a point Two forked lines to one treetop and a child with fingers in both ears.
the river stopped to let them cross A wall of water waiting politely upstream.
their footprints in the snow came up as flowers A line of small blooms across a white field.
the tide went out early for their sandcastle Waves drawing back with a moat still dry.
the wind dropped whenever they spoke Leaves stopping in mid-air beside an open mouth.

In small ways 12

a coin landed on its edge nine times A coin upright on a table and a ring of faces at table height.
a dropped cup landed full Caught mid-bounce, upright, not a drop out.
a knot untied itself while they looked at it A bootlace mid-wriggle.
a paper boat sailed against the current Ripples streaming one way and a small wake going the other.
a soap bubble lasted until supper Carried in on a cupped palm, perfectly round.
a spinning top did not stop for three days The family eating supper round it.
the candle they blew out lit the one beside it A thread of smoke crossing from wick to wick.
the cards they shuffled came out in order A fan of cards in a child's hands, every suit together.
their breath came out as tiny clouds, with rain A frosty morning and a very small shower over one scarf.
their coat buttons did themselves up Hands held away from the body as the last button goes through.
their milk tooth glowed under the pillow A soft light through linen in a dark room.
their reflection waved first A mirror, a raised hand in it, and two hands still at the sides in front.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each first sign is small, harmless and visible, so it can be drawn as one moment with witnesses. Two notes lean on real effects, checked on 2026-09-30: static electricity makes hair stand on end (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity), and St. Elmo's fire is a blue or violet glow on a pointed object such as a mast in thundery weather (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Elmo%27s_fire). The drawing notes are our own suggestions. Licence: own work

Unwatched, it: all 60 leaks

Heat and cold 12

cools tea before it reaches their mouth A cup with a skin of ice and a resigned expression.
curls the edges of paper A letter in their hand rolling itself up from both ends.
fogs every mirror they walk past A hall of clouded glass and one clear face reflected in none of it.

Show all 60 leaks (57 more)

Heat and cold, continued

frosts the cutlery White bloom on a fork and a dinner guest pretending not to see.
keeps one hand warm and the other cold One sleeve pushed up, one glove on, whatever the weather.
leaves fern patterns on windows in summer Real window frost grows in feathers like this. Put green leaves behind the glass.
makes candles lean toward them Every flame on the table bent the same way.
melts a ring in the snow where they stand Bare wet ground in a neat circle with boots in the middle.
scorches a thumbprint on anything held tightly A row of dark ovals along a chair arm.
sets the kettle whistling as they pass The kettle is not on the stove.
turns their breath to mist indoors A puff of white in a warm room, by a fire.
warms the bench for whoever sits next A small curl of steam rising from an empty seat.

Light and shadow 12

dims the stars directly overhead A dark patch in the sky above one walker on a hill.
gives their reflection a slight delay In the mirror the hand has not yet reached the hat.
leaves bright footprints that fade in a minute The nearest prints strong, the farthest almost gone.
lights their breath on cold mornings A scarf, a puff of air, and a soft glow inside it.
makes lamps burn blue in the room Tint every flame and leave the rest of the scene as it was.
makes them hard to see at the edge of the eye Draw them slightly blurred beside sharp company.
puts a faint glow under their fingernails Only visible when the hands are cupped. Draw them cupped.
sends small sparks from their sleeves Static does this to wool on a dry day. Add a crackle line at each cuff.
sets two small lights where their eyes are at night Two small discs of light in a black doorway.
swings their shadow round toward the sun Sun on the left, shadow on the left. Leave it unexplained.
throws two shadows at noon One is sharp. The other lags half a step behind.
wakes fireflies out of season Small lights round a winter coat in a bare garden.

Air and weather 12

brings a small breeze indoors Curtains moving in a room with the windows shut.
hums in the windowpanes A cat on the sill with both ears flat.
keeps rain from landing on them A dry outline in a downpour, a hand's width clear all round.
lifts their hair as before a storm Strands rising from the scalp, as hair does when charged.
makes clouds bunch above the house One dark heap in an otherwise empty sky, over one chimney.
pulls smoke toward them Chimney smoke bending down into the lane like a pointing arm.
rattles the shutters when they dream A sleeping face and a house shown with shake lines.
sets wind chimes ringing with no wind Chimes swinging toward them from every porch.
starts a ring of mist round their ankles Low, white, and it comes up stairs with them.
stops the motes in a sunbeam Specks fixed in a shaft of light like stars on a chart.
turns every flag in the street the same way All pointing at the figure in the middle of the road.
turns umbrellas inside out on a still day A street of ruined umbrellas and not a leaf moving.

Things 12

floats small things an inch off the table Salt cellar, thimble and a coin, each with a small shadow under it.
knits loose threads into tiny knots A cuff edged in dozens of hard little beads of thread.
makes clocks run a little fast A wall clock five minutes ahead of the pocket watch below it.
makes compass needles lose interest in north A needle pointing at them wherever they stand.
makes the stairs creak in tune Notes drawn rising from each step.
opens locks they only glance at A row of padlocks hanging undone along a fence.
sets spoons turning slowly in their cups A tea table where every spoon is at a different angle.
stacks loose change into neat towers A shop counter with the change piled by size, tallest at the back.
straightens pictures on the wall One frame still swinging level as they pass.
tunes any instrument in the room A fiddler stopping mid-phrase to stare at the fiddle.
turns pages when they are bored A book leafing itself through on a desk.
unties bootlaces, theirs and other people's A crowd, all looking down.

Living things 12

draws every cat in the street A tail at each ankle and one on the garden wall, waiting.
greens the handle of any wooden spoon A spoon in a pot with two small leaves at the top of the handle.
leaves a green outline wherever they nap Moss in the shape of a sleeper on a bare floor.
makes bees follow at a polite distance A loose swarm a few steps behind, like a train on a gown.
makes flowers turn to face them A window box of blooms all looking indoors.
makes milk keep a week longer A dairy shelf with one jug and a chalked note: still good.
makes the dog howl one long note Nose up, eyes shut, on the same pitch as the windowpanes.
puts birds on their shoulders uninvited Epaulettes of sparrows.
quiets every baby in the room Wide round eyes over the rims of several cradles.
ripens fruit in the bowl overnight Yesterday's hard pears gone soft and golden.
sends ants round them in a perfect ring A picnic with a neat dark circle and nothing inside it touched.
sets hens laying at midnight A farmer in a nightshirt holding an egg and a candle.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each leak is a small visible effect, the kind of detail that marks a character in every panel without a word of explanation. Two notes lean on real effects, checked on 2026-09-30: window frost forms feathery, fern-like patterns on cold glass (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost) and static charge lifts hair and throws small sparks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity). The drawing notes are our own suggestions. Licence: own work

First to notice: all 60 witnesses

Family 12

a baby brother who laughed at it Round face, two teeth, arms reaching for the floating spoon.
a cousin who asked how to get some Leaning in at an elbow with a notebook and a hopeful face.
a father who pretended he had not Newspaper raised an inch higher than it needs to be.

Show all 60 witnesses (57 more)

Family, continued

a grandfather who only nodded Pipe unlit, chair rocking, one slow dip of the chin.
a grandmother who had been waiting for it She puts down her knitting without surprise and pats the seat beside her.
a little sister who told everyone Running down a lane with both arms out and her mouth open.
a mother who quietly hid the good cutlery A drawer closing with a hip while she smiles at a guest.
a stepbrother who started keeping a list Dates, times, and small drawings in the margin.
a twin who felt it first Two children in two rooms, one with a hand to the chest.
an aunt who began charging at the door A tin for coins on the hall table and a hand-lettered sign.
an uncle who took all the credit Thumbs in his waistcoat, explaining to a visitor.
the whole family at dinner, all at once Forks stopped at five different heights.

Teachers and scholars 12

a clockmaker whose clocks all stopped A shop of still pendulums and one man listening to the silence.
a doctor who wrote the word unusual and underlined it Pen pausing, glasses pushed up, one eyebrow higher than the other.
a judge who ruled it was not against the law A gavel set down gently and a book of statutes shut.
a librarian who quietly moved certain books A high shelf, a stepladder and a glance over the shoulder.
a mapmaker who added their house to the map A tiny inked star beside a lane on a large sheet.
a naturalist with a butterfly net Crouched in the hedge, net raised, entirely the wrong tool.
a schoolmaster who set them extra homework A slate of sums pushed across a desk with a wary hand.
a tutor who wrote it all down A notebook filling fast and ink on the chin.
a visiting scholar who missed her coach to stay A trunk left packed in the hall for a month.
a weather-watcher whose records went strange A chart with one neat line and then a scribble.
an astronomer who blamed the telescope Wiping the lens for the third time.
an old conjuror who knew real from trick Hands stilled on a deck of cards, eyes gone sharp.

The town 12

a barber who saw sparks in the comb Comb held up to the window light, scissors forgotten.
a market crowd that clapped, thinking it a trick Hats in the air and one coin thrown.
a nervous hamlet with a petition A long paper with forty signatures and a polite first line.
a night watchman who put it in his report Lamp raised, pencil licked, spelling it out slowly.
a postman who would not deliver past the gate Letters left on the gatepost under a stone.
a village that agreed never to mention it A street of people all studying the sky at once.
a washerwoman who found frost in the pockets Holding a coat at arm's length over a tub.
an ice seller who offered them a partnership A cart of melting blocks and a hopeful hand held out.
the baker, because the ovens lit themselves Standing in the bakery door at dawn with an unlit taper.
every dog in the street A row of sitting dogs outside one garden gate.
the people next door, through the hedge Two pairs of eyes in a gap in the leaves.
the whole school, during morning assembly Rows of heads all turned the same way.

People with plans 12

a baron who needed rain A carriage in the lane and a very dry hat.
a collector of curiosities with a notebook Measuring the doorway, of all things.
a guild that wanted dues Three figures in matching hats and one with a ledger.
a jealous court magician A cloak with stars on it and a pinched mouth.
a newspaper that got most of it wrong A front page with a drawing that looks nothing like them.
a recruiter with a contract A scroll unrolled across a doorstep and a pen already inked.
a rival family whose child could not A stiff visit, two teacups, a great deal of looking.
a ship's captain who needed wind Standing at the gate with a slack flag as proof.
a showman with a tent and a percentage Striped canvas going up in the field opposite.
a stranger who had been looking for exactly this Dusty boots, a long list, one line left to tick.
a tax assessor wondering how to tax it Abacus beads pushed back and forth without result.
an inspector of weights who found the scales floating Hand under the pan, feeling for a string.

Small witnesses 12

a beggar who thanked them for the warm step A doorstep with a dry patch in the snow and a hat lifted.
a child at the window opposite Two palms and a nose flat against glass.
a classmate who had hoped it was a lie Peering round a door with a sinking face.
a crow that began leaving gifts A row of buttons and bottle tops along a sill.
a friend who had suspected for years Arms folded, grinning: about time.
a horse that would carry no one else after that Ears forward, waiting at the gate each morning.
a painter who put the glow in the portrait The sitter squints at the canvas. The painter shrugs.
a spider that rebuilt its web to face them A web across a window corner, oddly turned.
an old man next door who felt the air change Standing in his garden with a hand out as if for rain.
the cat, which moved out for a week A tail leaving through a gap in the fence.
the family dog, who was not surprised Chin on paws, one eye open, tail thumping once.
their own reflection, a moment before they did The mirrored face is already wide-eyed.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each witness is one figure with one reaction, so the drawing has a second face in it. Nobody here harms the sorcerer: the reactions run from pride to paperwork. The notes on what to draw are our own suggestions. Licence: own work

Costs them: all 60 costs

Rest and strength 12

a full day of sleep each time Draw them asleep in the middle of a task, spoon still in hand.
a night of standing wide awake The only lit window in the street, and a figure reading in it.
a thirst no single jug can settle A row of empty jugs and a hand reaching for the pump.

Show all 60 costs (57 more)

Rest and strength, continued

a week of feeling cold whatever they wear Three scarves in high summer.
a yawn they cannot finish for an hour Mouth half open through an entire conversation.
every bit of patience they had saved Arms folded, foot tapping, in a line of one.
the rest of the afternoon, which simply goes missing One clock at two, and the same figure blinking at a clock at six.
the strength to lift anything heavier than a cup A friend carrying both bags with a resigned face.
their balance on stairs for a day Both hands on the rail and a very careful face.
their voice until the next sunrise Pointing, nodding and mouthing words at a patient friend.
three dinners, eaten one after another A stack of empty bowls and a fourth being passed along.
the warmth in their hands until evening Fingers wrapped round a hot cup, mittens on indoors.

A sense, for a while 12

the ability to whistle, sometimes for weeks Lips pursed, cheeks out, nothing.
any sense of what time it is Eating breakfast by lamplight with the stars out.
every hue but blue until morning Tint the whole panel blue and leave only their face as it was.
the feeling in their fingertips for an hour Dropping a cup, a pen and a coin in one frame.
the sight of their own reflection for a night An empty mirror and a comb held up to it anyway.
the smell of rain, which they loved Nose lifted at an open window in a downpour, disappointed.
the sound of bells for a month A ringer hauling on a rope while they watch, puzzled.
the sound of their own footsteps Walking a gravel path and looking back at it.
the sweetness in anything sweet for a day A slice of cake being eaten with deep suspicion.
the taste of salt for a week Pulling a face at a perfectly good soup.
telling their two boots apart for a day Boots on the wrong feet.
their sense of direction until they sleep At a signpost, reading it for the third time.

Something from the mind 12

a day of the week, gone as if it never came A calendar with one neat square cut out.
a dream, which goes to somebody else that night Two sleepers: one empty thought bubble, one very crowded.
the ending of every joke they know A laughing audience going slowly quiet.
how to tie a bow, until someone shows them again Trailing laces and a small child kneeling to help.
the last page of whatever they were reading A book held open at the end and read again with a frown.
the number that comes after six Counting on fingers and skipping one without noticing.
one name each time, chosen by it and not by them Greeting an old friend with a long, polite pause.
their own handwriting for a week A letter written in large wobbly capitals.
their place in whatever they were saying A raised finger, an open mouth and a blank look.
the way home, for an hour Standing at their own gate asking a passer-by.
what they came into the room for In a doorway, turning slowly all the way round.
the words to one song Humming where the verse should be.

Something of theirs, borrowed 12

a coin from their pocket, never the same one Turning a pocket inside out and counting twice.
the bloom on the nearest flower A vase of bare stalks and one petal still on its way down.
every knot they have tied that day Laces, apron and parcel all coming undone at once.
the flame of whatever candle is closest A thread of smoke and a newly dark corner.
the heat of their next meal Steam leaving the plate sideways before the fork arrives.
the ink in the nearest pen A quill lifted from the pot bone dry.
the left boot's lace One boot always tied with something else: ribbon, wire, a grass stem.
one button, every time A coat held shut with string, pins and one last button.
the shine on everything metal they own Dull buttons, dull buckle, dull spoon.
their echo, which comes back a day late Calling into a valley and getting yesterday's shout.
their shadow for a day Full sun, crisp shadows under everyone else, none under them.
the tick of their pocket watch for an hour Watch held to an ear, shaken, held to the ear again.

Something between them and other people 12

a good turn owed to whoever stood nearest A stranger suddenly holding out a list of chores.
a secret, said aloud without meaning to A hand clapped over the mouth a moment too late.
an apology to somebody, owed by sundown On a doorstep with flowers and a rehearsed expression.
an hour in which nobody can overlook them Trying to tiptoe out with every head in the room turned.
an hour in which they cannot lie A host asking how they liked the dinner. Wide eyes.
the answer yes to the next thing anyone asks A small cousin eyeing the last slice of pie.
any chance of winning a board game for a month A game board with every one of their pieces taken.
any quarrel that day, which the other side wins Mouth open, hand up, and the other person already leaving.
one compliment, to be paid before nightfall Stopping a startled stranger to admire the hat.
the opening word of anything they say till dusk Speech bubbles that each begin with a blank.
their turn in every line Waved politely to the back, again.
the trust of every horse for a day A paddock of horses all standing at the far fence.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Every cost is small, passing and harmless: something tiring, a sense gone for a while, a slip of memory, a thing that goes missing or an awkward hour among other people. None is an injury or an illness. The notes on what to draw are our own suggestions. Licence: own work

Hidden with: all 60 covers

Something worn 12

a baker's apron, always well floured White dust on everything, so frost or mist gets no second look.
a copper bracelet It has gone green where it touches the wrist.
a hat lined with lead foil The brim sits very low and looks very heavy.
a net veil and a few tame bees The bees make the veil look reasonable.

Show all 60 covers (56 more)

Something worn, continued

a raincoat in every weather Then anything wet, misted or steaming has its excuse.
a ring turned stone-side in A fist that never quite opens.
a thick wool cap pulled down over the hair The hair pushes up under it like rising dough.
boots with iron nails in the soles Sparks on the cobbles look like the boots' doing.
gloves in summer Kid gloves at a picnic, and nobody asks twice.
sleeves a hand too long The fingers never show, even when pointing.
small bells sewn along the hem Any strange humming gets put down to them.
tinted spectacles Round dark lenses, indoors, at night.

A habit 12

a great deal of nodding and very little talk A circle of chatting people and one earnest listener.
a habit of arriving last and leaving first A coat that never comes off its owner's shoulders.
a knack for standing very still in crowds Everyone else drawn with motion lines, one figure crisp.
a reputation for clumsiness Whatever falls, floats or breaks, people sigh and say their name.
a rule never to sit next to a clock A room of chairs, and the one they picked in the far corner.
a seat by the door First out of any room, before the lamps change.
cold suppers only Bread, cheese and an apple: nothing that can steam the wrong way.
early nights and late mornings Curtains drawn while the street is still busy.
hands kept firmly in pockets Shoulders up and elbows tight in every scene.
humming, to cover any other hum Always the same three notes.
long walks alone before breakfast A small figure on a hill, far from anything that could float.
slow counting under the breath Lips moving, eyes shut, candle flames settling upright.

A story 12

a claim to be learning conjuring tricks A deck of cards kept handy as proof.
a flat denial and a change of subject Pointing at something out of the window.
a ghost story about the house, started on purpose Children dare each other as far as the gate.
a job as a lamplighter Lamps that come on by themselves need no excuse.
a job at a forge Sparks, heat and scorch marks all belong there.
a name as a brilliant inventor Wires and cogs left on the table explain anything.
a stall at the fair, as a magician Hidden in plain sight, for a coin a time.
a story about a very odd cat The cat gets blamed. The cat does not mind.
an invented cousin who does these things Described so often that people ask after the cousin.
complaints about the wind in the chimney Every moving curtain is blamed on it.
long remarks about the weather Any spark is a storm coming, any chill the season.
the simple truth, which nobody believes Said with a shrug. The listener laughs and passes the bread.

A tool or a trick 12

a bucket of water kept by the bed A scorched bedpost and a damp floor beside it.
a candle carried in daylight Any glow gets blamed on it.
a chalk circle to stand inside Scuffed and redrawn so often the floor has a pale ring.
a fan, open in all weathers Moving air has a reason when a fan is moving.
a hot brick wrapped in flannel Carried about to explain the warmth.
a pair of fire tongs For passing things that have gone too hot or too cold to hold.
a pocket mirror to check the eyes A quick look in a cupped palm before entering a room.
a pocketful of iron filings They cling to the fingers like dark fur.
a sack of salt for the doorstep Melted snow round the house needs no other reason.
a small fiddle, played badly Nobody listens for anything under that.
a tuning fork struck to cover odd sounds Tapped on a knee and held up with an innocent look.
a watering can Moss, sprouts and sudden flowers have an obvious cause.

Help, or nothing at all 12

a best friend who coughs at the right moment A hand to the mouth and a sideways glance.
a dog trained to bark at every flicker The dog gets the stares. The dog enjoys them.
a grandmother who says it is only her cooking Ladle raised, daring anybody to disagree.
a landlady who asks no questions and airs the room Windows propped wide and bedding over the sill.
a little brother who takes the blame He is paid in toffee and thinks it a fair trade.
a parrot that gets the blame for the noises Head cocked on a perch, entirely silent.
a troupe of players who call it stagecraft A painted backdrop, a bow, and applause.
a whole street that has agreed not to see A row of people looking with great interest at the sky.
an older sister who stands in front Tall, arms folded, and something glowing behind her.
nothing at all, since last spring Hands open, sleeves rolled, sparks and all.
the town's firm belief that nothing happens here A yawning street with something floating over it.
very little success, as everybody knows A raised eyebrow from every person at the table.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each cover is something to draw on the character in every scene: a thing worn, a habit, a story told, a tool kept handy or a helper. The notes on what to draw are our own suggestions. Licence: own work

How it works

This sorcerer backstory generator deals six parts of a life with magic nobody asked for: where the power came from, the first sign, what it does unwatched, who noticed, what it costs and how they hide it. It is text only.

Read the full guide

Power nobody asked for

A sorcerer in stories is born with magic or catches it by accident. Nothing here is studied or bargained for, which sets the page apart from a mage backstory generator about books and teachers. Read the first sign next: one small, harmless moment with people watching, ready to stage.

A leak to draw in every scene

The third part is what the power does unwatched, such as frosting the cutlery. Draw it small in every scene and nobody needs telling. The cost and the cover go on the figure too: a yawn, gloves in summer.

Draw the leak before the face. Frost on a spoon tells more than a glowing hand.
The cover is costume. Design the gloves, hat or bracelet first and keep them in every picture.
Stage the first sign with the one who noticed in frame. Their face carries the scene.

Questions and answers

Can I use it as a magic backstory generator for a witch or wizard?

Yes, for any character whose magic came unasked. A wizard who learned from books and teachers has a page of their own: wizard character ideas.

Is any of it taken from a game?

No. The lists use no spell, school of magic or rule from any game, and nothing here needs dice. Every entry was written for this page, so it fits whatever world you already draw or play in.

Are any of the effects real?

Three lean on real things. Window frost does grow in fern shapes, a static charge does lift hair and throw sparks, and the blue glow on a mast in a storm is called St. Elmo's fire. The rest is invented.