Am hoping that one of you can help me.
Years ago I read a fantasy book series and I’m trying to remember the title.
All I can remember about it is that ANY skill if developed enough could become magical.
For example, someone as simple as a baker would be able to produce bread of such incredible wonder that kings would travel just to try it out.

Hmm, i cant think of anything. Is there anything more to go on than bread, magical or other wise?

Perhaps it is the "Practice Effect" by David Brin ?

quote:

Originally posted by squint:
Perhaps it is the "Practice Effect" by David Brin ?

That'd be my guess, too.

I'm going to make it unanimous. Practice Effect. Things also devolved if they were not kept in use.

That doesn't ring a bell with me.

With regards to more to go on.. I can't remember much.
I don't believe there actually was an epic baker in the book - I just used that as an example.

The only characters that I do remember was a swordsman and a whore.
They had both progressed in their professions to hit the magic.

I "think" that when the magic was used for battle... a circle had to be drawn on the ground to contain any magic that might escape and hurt bystanders (ie. if there was a formal duel)

Could it be the Sunset Warrior series by Eric Van Lustbader (who also wrote The Ninja series)?

Negative to sunset warrior.

I kind of also half remember part of the plot included a long dead emperor that was supposed to return one day with a sleeping army