Re: Plot & Setting Development
If magic existed and could be analyzed as such, it would BECOME technology.
People would figure out the most efficient ways to do things regardless of whether that involves engineering, wizardry, chemistry or good ol' fashioned sweat. All a matter of how easy it is to invoke magic and what effects can reliably be produced.
If the only magic effect that can easily be produced is say... Force, you'd end up with force powered airplanes, force powered electrical plants, force powered engines, etc. so long as force is cheaper to generate than burning coal. Maybe it's more efficient in small scale to use force engines but it's a better economy of scale to burn coal for electricity, etc.
If you could magically generate electricity directly, how cheap would that be compared to burning coal and spinning turbines? If I can create magic fire, is that cheaper than burning gasoline in my car?
:D