Energies

===The Primals===
These energies have existed since before recorded history. They predate the Gods.
====Chaos, Pure====
Pure chaos is the stuff from which all existence is made. It is raw potential, a force that is all things at once. Chaos is described as being a fabric-like force, able to be weaved by powerful creatures like Deities. The actual nature of chaos is enigmatic, and dangerous; and both knowledge and direct experience with it can be dangerous to the body, mind, soul, and even existence of the unprepared. Pure chaos appears as floating technicolor static; all possible colors, sounds, smells, and textures flashing in and out of existence almost at once.
====The Cardinal Forces====
Good, Evil, Law, and Chaos. These energies are generated by the actions of entities, and accumulate in their souls to form a creature's alignment. Although numerous means have been developed to "see" the cardinal forces, they do not technically have an appearance. When freed from an entity, they can have physical and spiritual effects on an area or items, but only when in great concentrations. Despite its name, chaos is not related to pure chaos in any way. It is so named because of philosophical similarities drawn between freedom to act in the moment and the creative potential of pure chaos.
===Divine Energies===
These energies were created by or sourced from deities. 
====Ether====
Ether is the energy from which souls are made, created by Hadeus and Mystras in the aftermath of the Age of Chaos. Save for Chaote, all living creatures are to some degree, made of ether. Ether's function is a stratum, holding and binding other energies to make up a soul. These energies always include mana, vitae (or, in the case of the Undead, necrotic energy), and the cardinal forces; and indeed a soul without any of these three parts can have detrimental consequences to its owner. Other energies can be found in a soul, but these are often transitory or specific to certain types of creatures. Ether seems to be a thick mist, whose color varies based on the contents of the soul it makes up, giving what is known as their "aura." Unadulterated ether is a pale green.
====Mana====
Mana is the blood of Mystras, a blue mist that can be harnessed to temporarily rewrite the rules of reality, a process called arcana, or arcane magic. Once given only to her chosen creations and servants, when she was slain by Ximatia, mana flooded the universe, allowing any creature with the right circumstances to practice and affect arcana. 
====Positive and Negative Energy====
Also sometimes called biotic and necrotic energy, positive and negative energy are generated by the cycle of life and death. As life is created and flourishes, positive energy is generated; and as life dies and organic matter decays, negative energy is generated. Naturally occurring positive and negative energy happens in negligible amounts and dissipates quickly, although very high concentrations can have mild effects on creatures and in the environment. It is typically only through magic that significant enough quantities to affect creatures can be created.
====Necrotic Energy====
When captured in the soul, negative energy is processed into necrotic energy. Typically, this is quite harmful to the soul of a living creature, and is automatically expelled as part of the healing process. However, necrotic energy is a permanent and necessary component of the soul (or pseudosoul) of an Undead.
====Vitae====
When captured in the soul, positive energy is processed into vitae. This is the animating force of animal life, tied physically to blood (or hemolymph, in the case of arthropods), and a necessary part of a living soul. Vitae is also the domain of Hadeus, used in his holy rites and cruor magic.
Category:Lore