Magic & Mana

I. Origin and Structure of Mana

Mana flows through the body in an invisible current, acting as both a spiritual channel and a system akin to the physical nerves.

This flow is directly influenced by one's birthright, lineage, and intelligence:

  • In the holy lands, half of a person's mana is claimed by the gods, and the majority of what remains is siphoned away by the clergy.
  • Those born in lands rich with elemental power (forests, wetlands) are born with a stronger, more natural mana flow.
  • Ultimately, the base amount of one's mana is inherited from family and can only be significantly increased during childhood.

II. The Relationship Between Magic and Intellect

Individuals lacking sufficient intellect cannot cast spells on their own. However, powerful entities like gods or high mages can teach them rote incantations for minor spells.

Intellect provides a "language" for Mana. Raw mana is chaotic energy; intellect structures it with intent and form. A dull mind cannot clearly "tell" the energy what to do, causing the spell to fizzle. As intellect increases, the mana flow becomes a tangible, visualizable force.

Effect of Intellect:

  • Low Intellect: Mana erupts uncontrollably, causing "mana shock," waste, and even internal hemorrhaging.
  • High Intellect: Mana is distilled and released with precision. Intellect stabilizes the points of casting (hands, eyes, voice), dramatically increasing magical efficiency and ensuring the spell does not miss its target.

III. Tiers of Spellcasting

A. Spoken and Unspoken Spells

  1. Spoken Spells (Low-Mid Tier): Novices recite long, formal incantations given to them by higher powers, such as, "O mighty mother, raise for me a dragon of earth from the soil's strength."
  2. Semi-Spoken Spells (Mid Tier): The mage speaks the words but then intuitively shapes the spell's effect with their own internal mana.
  3. Unspoken High Magic (Elite Tier): The most powerful mages forgo words entirely. They "write" the spell in the air with pure mana, forming symbols of power that only other elites can comprehend. This is an incredibly fast and abstract technique.

B. Industrial Magic (For Low Intellect)

Commoners who can use magic are typically limited to rote, industrial spells taught by rote: creating small lights, tiny flames, performing simple repairs, etc.

IV. Crafting and Transferring Spells

Mages who can write spells in the air can transcribe these arcane writings onto scrolls. These scrolls can then be activated by others, effectively bottling a spell for later use.