What is interesting about magic in the Hyborian Age is it doesn’t really look like magic when you really analyze its usage. For example, Thoth-Amon is one of the most powerful sorcerers in the stories. Yet every time you see him use magic, he’s using some object (usually the Serpent Ring of Set) to do so. You are definitely correct there.

Now think about it this way. Lets say your laptop is a magical device, and your ability with that laptop can vary greatly compared to someone else. You might even be able to write new spells on it (programs) that you can use in certain situations.

Well these magical devices in Hyboria are very similar to your laptop. Many such objects can be used by anyone. Some are harder. But what is similar is that some are better at it than others.

The point I am making is that magic in Hyboria is NOT the vancian magic seen in D&D. Its not the weaving of special words and such in Harry Potter, its not the will and the word as seen in the Belgarid, its not channeling mana into some effect, its not interacting with a living force like in Star Wars, or any of that.

Its using devices and making contact with aliens (which are commonly called demons or gods) to get effects that seem unpredictable to most. Why? Because any sufficient amount of technology is indistinguishable from magic. And the corruptive influence with these devices and contacts with these aliens is due in part from forming a connection to where they originate. Most powerful sorcerers have high connections which is very much detrimental to the human material form. Its addicting as well.

There’s nothing really supernatural happening. There’s just laws of physics and thermodynamics being used in a way that humans hadn’t evolved to utilize. But are still foolish enough to try.