Mana

Breathe in. Along with the air that flows into your lungs, there is another energy. Do you feel it? Yes, that... is Mana.

— A Beginner-Level Magic Teacher from Antiquity

Mana, Qi, Ki, Cosmic Energy, or one of the countless other names and monikers for it, is the mystic energy that permeates all parts of reality, allowing people to cast spells and accomplish things outside of the base rules of reality.

Origins

The origins of Mana are heavily debated, with no particular thesis ever being fully proven. Some scholars argue that it bleeds in from the Astral and Divine Planes, reasoning that since those planes have much higher densities of Mana, they must be the source. More rationalist scholars argue that it is part of reality in the same way Quantum fluctuations are, or that Mana is another result of said fluctuations. Most, however, agree that Mana is a nigh-ubiquitous energy with significant importance in how reality functions and operates. Scholars also agree that despite being present in the physical and material reality, Mana does not interact with it like regular matter, and unless in a non-gaseous form, it is typically imperceivable.

Effects

Usage

The usage of Mana varies widely depending on which type a Caster --That is, someone who uses spells or otherwise accomplishes things outside the traditional rules of reality-- intends to use. Mana is split into three main types, parallel to the three main states of reality: An imperceptible gaseous form, a colorless translucent liquid, and a similarly translucent solid form.

Gas

Mana in its gaseous form, sometimes called Qi or Ki, is the most common variation of the energy. It is the form used in Mana Respiration and is predominantly used in core-based or respiration-based casting. In this form, the caster draws in gaseous mana through their skin or lungs, before directing it into either a storage location, like a core, or immediately outward into their body or environment as a spell. Of its forms, gaseous Mana is the most elementally unstable, as gaseous mana naturally acquires the affinity of its environment. For example, gaseous Mana near a volcano or desert will tend to be fire-aligned. Due to this, it is difficult to find typeless mana in a gaseous form outside of a Caster's core.

Exceptions

While Gaseous mana is typically imperceptible, those capable of peering into the metaphysical plane in which Mana resides, whether naturally or via a spell, may perceive it as readily as any physical phenomena, whether via sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, or any combination of senses. Additionally, while typeless gaseous mana is difficult to find, there exist rare locations where mana remains typeless, regardless of the natural affinity of the environment.

Liquid

Mana in its liquid form, sometimes referred to as Ether or Qi^Note, is the second most common use of the energy. It is the form used primarily vein-based casting, though other forms of casting may temporarily make use of it. In this form, Mana is often drawn in from the environment in its gaseous form and condensed into its liquid form before being stored in a pool or other container. However, liquid Mana can also be drawn in by a Caster submerging themselves in a pool, drawing the liquid in directly through their skin or via ingestion. Compared to gaseous mana, Liquid mana is more elementally stable; while it still takes on the properties of its environment, the process of doing so takes a significantly longer period. However, though it is possible to find typeless mana in its liquid form, due to the rarity of liquid mana in general, it remains as rare if not rarer than finding typeless gaseous mana.

Type

Metaphysical