Compound: Ice

Summary

One of the compound manas, ice is comprised of water and veltron natures. It principally embodies structured ambivalence, seeking a natural purity of form. As it involves coldness and controlled energy, ice mana is in a unique state of being somewhat hostile toward other existences. Those that come into contact with it struggle, and either destroy the ice mana or become subsumed by it.
For the sake of its own existence, ice structures itself into ideal ambivalence. As it encounters other things, their different structures conflict with what it desires. Although its nature could be called noble, it is both callous and uncaring. It will order things as it desires, and destroy what is needed to do so. Hence, other forces must resist or destroy the ice mana in return. Navigating this hostile arrangement is crucial to find any kind of equilibrium involving ice.
The wildness of heat, that is 'energy', is its natural enemy. Heat destroys the structure ice creates, and so water arises once again. To capture energy and control it is the ultimate goal of ice, as it would ensure its stability. In that respect, more powerful forms of ice can contain energy and control it with remarkable effectiveness. It is a sort of 'sword' meeting 'shield' situation, though. One is constantly trying to up the other, and it is an endless struggle.
As its affected by seasons quite greatly, ice desperately builds up, struggles, then crumbles throughout the year. It consumes water, but so when it is destroy, water escapes again. It is a cycle of birth and death where seasons appear. Only upon Veltrona's poles and lands in permanent snow does ice reign supreme. It can penetrate deep, even changing the veltron to suit its needs.
There is some debate where ice mana and crysium line up. The two share a fondness for crystal-structures, but crysium caters to all kinds of mana. It grows naturally the more its fed mana, forming non-invasive, although still expansive, structures. Since ice is so adept at controlling energy, ice crystals and crysium often work toward the same end goal. The two are different in their methods, though.

Magical Arts

Any would be mage, cultivator, or person working with ice mana will have to confront its hostile nature. For those not comprised of ice mana, they must speak its language and understand how it wants to be handled. Failing to do so will mean the ice will either be weak and ineffectual, or it will rapidly consume them. Some give it a cruel demeanor as a result, but in an ironic sense, it is very much like fire mana.
One must respect ice and what it commands, or it will be a dangerous road indeed.
The development of ice magic as a whole is fairly complicated, and circumstances gravely affect how it turns out. Those in wintery lands, like Fauverngarz or Varnkof, can reliably work with and practice upon it. Seasonal lands, such as Aerthen, are easier and harder depending on the time of year. Places like Sa-kemet and Dorvar do allow for ice magic, but in the context of 'night' instead of day. Deserts easily approach freezing temperatures, but the lack of water is a crucial issue to overcome.
Aside from the availability issues, there were the larger conceptual problems. What, ultimately, could 'ice magic' be used for? That question troubled many, because its temporary nature when faced against heat proved troublesome. Those in frozen lands were able to innovate on construction with it, allowing for easy-to-make and maintain structures. Of course, it would freeze the inhabitants if allowed, so insulation was the next big invention after that.
Ironically, through the study of sand-based veltron magic some amazing strides were made. Sand is, itself, inherently temporary because its structure naturally collapses. However, through force and water-like principles it can be guided to do actions and things 'temporarily'. These same thoughts came to guide ice magic: utilize ice in brief, intense moments, then let it naturally fall apart afterward. The resulting water from the collapsing ice could be reused to make ice once again. While those in frozen lands naturally arrived at this conclusion, for the rest of the world it was a pretty big breakthrough.
Ice became fantastic at strong kinetic attacks (e.g, throwing blades of ice), as well as its strong defensive barriers. Its solid structure provided a powerful certainty that a lot of water mages needed to round out their arsenals. Since the two go hand-in-hand, despite ice's hostility, one could effectively make use of both. The economic advantage of doing so tremendously helped both their magical arts out. So much so the two are often taught in tandem, in some form or another, in advanced study.
Some of the most powerful forms of ice magic allowed for the negation of rampant energy, and the oppression of other manas. Like how water can extinguish fires, ice could deprive heat from an area, or contain runaway mana. While itself still dangerous to people, it was a far less dangerous idea than the issues it'd be used on. A fair number of magical styles centered around 'containment' work with ice magic as their core principles. While it's not the same fundamental way of manipulating energy like energy magic, the two do also work together somewhat.

Appearance

Ice mana in its pure form takes on a sparkling white, deep blue color with crystal-like transparency. Its insides are constantly shifting about in a kaledioscope of mirrors, displaying its ever present desire to structure. Its edges may sometimes be smooth or jagged, depending on how threatened it is.
Divine ice can embody other colors, like greens, golds, reds, silvers, etc. Its clarity is its more notable feature, being so clear and perfect there is almost no opacity to it. Only the edges of the ice mana in this state show its very clear structure, likening it almost to a beautiful spider web.