Magic is, at its core, the manipulation of the external world through internal focus. This takes on many forms, from love spells and healing to firebending and future sight. It is the kinetic form of mana energy, a type of energy found in all things that can be converted or manipulated by intelligent beings with sufficient magical power. Just as one needs physical strength to pick up and throw a rock, one needs magical strength to do the same telekinetically. And just like your muscles, magical strength can be changed, although there's also a genetic aspect to it.
What makes mana unique among all the different types of energy is its ability to be manipulated directly by the mind. This manipulation often includes conversion; conversion of mana energy to another form of energy is called 'kinesis.' Telekinesis, for example, is the conversion of mana energy into mechanical energy. Mana energy itself is often converted from chemical energy by the body. It may also be absorbed from the surroundings by a mage.
Mana can be manipulated in several ways, but the 3 main classes of mana manipulation are rituals, artifacts and potions. Rituals are are a series of actions used to manipulate mana in real time, while potions and artifacts store potential mana energy to be released in specific ways. There's also direct manipulation, which is how kinesis is typically performed.
Rituals involve a series of gestures and material components which affect mana. The exact mechanism behind why certain gestures and objects have the effects they do is unknown, but mages have been able to study the results themselves. Tokens are used to represent people, objects, or concepts important to the ritual. The 5 elements, Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, and Spirit are of great significance in magic. These elements can be represented in many ways, such as different colors and cardinal directions, or by different gemstones.
Artifacts are physical items that manipulate mana energy in a similar manner to how electronics manipulate electrical energy. Gemstones can act as batteries or capacitors, storing and releasing mana. Certain metals are good at conducting mana, with silver and orichalcum being the best conductors. Iron is good at absorbing mana, and many synthetic materials make good insulators.
Potions are consumable items that use mana to affect the body. Potions require a magically powerful base, such as nectar, sap, blood or milk. Different bases have different properties, with plant bases generally being better for healing and animal bases generally being better for enhancement. Other ingredients are then added to generate the effects of the potion.
The 5 Elements
The 5 elements of magic are Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, and Spirit. These elements are at the core of all magic, and represent many aspects of life and the world. Similarly, tokens representing them are found in nearly all spells. All 5 elements are represented on a pentagram, with spirit either pointing upwards to ward off mana or downwards to draw it in.
Earth is the element of belonging, stability and growth. It accommodates all the other elements and acts as a grounding foundation in artificing, and provides stability to rituals. It can be represented by the cardinal direction north, the season of winter, and places such as caverns. Earth tokens include dirt, bones, and mushrooms. Earth familiars and animal totems include scarabs, toads, tortoises, rabbits, elepants, stags and serpents. Earth gemstones include Agate, Black Tourmaline, Onyx, Malachite, Obsidian, Jasper, Aventurine, Cacholong, Gagate, Jadeite, Quartz, Turquoise, and Nephrite. Deities of earth include Demeter, Gaia, Pan, Rūaumoko, Cernunnos, and Geb.
Wind is the element of the mind and change. It is useful for divining, altering perceptions, and can change signals in artificing. It can be represented by the cardinal direction east, the season of spring, the open sky, and pale colors, especially yellow and white. Wind tokens include wands, swords and feathers. Wind familiars and animal totems include bees, butterflies, hawks, eagles, owls, and hummingbirds. Wind gemstones include Sapphire, Rock Crystal, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Tourmaline, Topaz, Gold Beryl, Chrysolite, Rhodonite, Blue Chalcedony, Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Peridot, and Carnelian. Wind deities include Shu, Amun, Vejopatis, Stribog, Kári, Aeolus, Vayu, Fūjin, Epigishmog, Gǎ-oh, and Okaga.
Fire is the element of power, action, and sexuality. It is useful in artificing to amplify signals and produce physical outputs.
Water is the element of purity and fertility. It is useful in artificing to nullify interference and combine signals.
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