Magical energy (Mana)

Magical energy or Mana is a power source used by magi and spirits to fuel their magic.
==Description==
*Mana is the fundamental magical energy present everywhere in the world, saturating the environment, being naturally produced by all sentient beings on a daily basis.
**Mana is also the primary power source for any mage or spirit. Enchanted tools and enchanted objects all contain mana as well.
***Mana is ordinarily used to fuel techniques, reinforce the body, or activate talismans, but magical energy has various uses.
*Most magical energy is blue in color, but there are several exceptions.
==Mana Perception==
*Mana Perception refers to the ability of humans with above-average levels of magical energy to sense, and especially see, spirits and magic.
**The minimum requirement for a human to be considered a mage is the ability to see spirits.
*The strength of a mage or spirit is generally assessed by their levels of magical energy. Abundant magical energy can result in physical pressure that instills fear into those who sense it as a method of intimidation.
**The same concept can be applied to a battle, where reading an opponent's magical energy is an effective way to predict their movements. Predictions based on magical energy can backfire when faced with a fighter in cases where their physical prowess outclasses their magical energy. Physically fast and strong, fighters with low magical energy are often unpredictable to opposing mages.
***Mages can also notice small, vague differences in magical energy in addition to its overall amount.
==Mana Manipulation==
===Controlling Mana===
*Mana Manipulation — the ability to control the flow of one's magical energy and channel it to carry out certain functions — is the foundation for all magic. There is a world of difference between being able to sense magic and being able to use it.
**Control over magical energy requires innate skill and training.
*Mana is volatile in nature and difficult to use in its rawest form. While raw magical energy can be used for its blunt force, it's best used by magi to power their techniques in the same way electricity is best used to fuel electronics. In this case, magical energy is flowed into a technique to activate a mage's unique abilities.
*Magical energy does not flow on its own. So most mages have to make mana flow. Most instinctually believe it starts from the heart and flows through the rest of the body.
*The flow of an elite mage is difficult to read because they have greater accuracy in controlling magical energy. Their mana is evenly distributed across their body, making their attack hard to predict until the very moment it's executed.
===Applying Mana===
====Personal Reserve====
*Each individual has a personal reserve of magical energy, determining their capacity for using magic. Depleting this reserve can lead to severe symptoms of mana exhaustion.
**An individual's personal reserves cannot increase past its natural limits.
====Mana Output====
*Mana output refers to the maximum amount of magical energy an individual can use from their reserves. This applies to both how it's used offensively and defensively.
**Factors such as innate talent, and practice influence an individual's potential mana output.
====Magical Energy Reinforcement====
*Mages can imbue their body with magical energy, enhancing their physical abilities beyond natural limits.
*Applying magical energy to physical attacks can be as effective as a technique when it comes to gifted combatants who specialize in hand-to-hand combat. Defensively, mages can reinforce their body using magical energy, hardening their bodies and enhancing their ability to withstand attacks.
====Weapon Imbuement====
*Conventional weapons can also be infused with magical energy to increase their strength. Imbuing too much magical energy at one time to a normal weapon can compromise its integrity and destroy it, so a magic user must only infuse small amounts of magical energy at a time. Imbuing moderate amounts of magical energy over time can transform a normal weapon into an enchanted tool.
===Special Traits===
*There are rare cases where magical energy carries a special property unique to its user. When applied to their techniques, it can grant them a special texture or effect that gives them an advantage in battle. These special traits cannot be defended by simple reinforcement techniques.
**However, extreme amounts of magical energy can allow someone to mostly ignore these effects.
==Mana Sickness==
*Mana sickness is an incapacitating condition that commonly affects new users of magic or those who carelessly use magic.
**Resistance to mana sickness can be built up over time.
===Mana Intoxication===
*Mana intoxication impacts new users or those who overexert themselves, with symptoms such as nosebleeds, dizziness, hallucinations, and hypersensitivity.
===Mana Exhaustion===
*Symptoms progress as mana is depleted. Early stages include mild headaches and fatigue, while severe stages involve loss of mobility, shortness of breath, fainting, chills, and dizziness.
Category:Cherry Lore