Mana Manipulation

## Elemental Mana

Although there are an infinite variety of forms that Mana manifests itself, Elemental Mana is the most raw form that is found across Tisserais, and the most accessible. Because of the way that the Elements have formed the world around us, the manipulation of Mana has been passed down from the elusive Fae to the bumbling Human. This dedicated practice often requires some form of native connection to the Ley Lines and involves manipulating the invisible strings of mana that are interwoven into the threads of reality across the realm. This manipulation of Mana is what is commonly referred to as Magic or "Weaving". Weaving itself is often used as a term to reflect the deep practices of mana manipulation, which is where the Weavers derived their name from studying the Veil and the balance of elements.

### Fire Mana

Known as the most volatile and offensive element, the practice of Pyromancy is the study of Fire Mana and its manipulation. Fire Mana is easy to grasp because it is the most wild of the elements, and although it is the easiest form of Mana to access, it is the most difficult to master because of its nature. The practice of Pyromancy was originally shunned by early Fae due to the destructive nature against their natural element of Gaia.

### Water Mana

The study of Water Mana, Hydromancy, is a sacred and delicate art that can be used in many versatile ways.

### Gaia Mana

The oldest and most abundant form of Mana, Gaia Mana is found in everything from blades of grass to birds flying through the sky. The manipulation of Gaia Mana, Druidism, is the art of controlling life itself. Through years of practice, Druids are able to manipulate vines to grow from the roots in the earth, animate trees and other plant life and even take the form of Spirit Beasts, calling forth lingering spirits of fallen beasts and embodying their nature and physical form.

### Air Mana

Thought to be the oldest element, Air Mana is abundant in the sky and in the atmosphere around the continent. Air Mana manipulation requires an incredible amount of dedication and focus as the streams of Air Mana wind through everything, connecting every living creature and even being woven through all other raw elements in the realm.

### Lightning Mana

A destructive force of nature, Lightning Mana is a deadly form of mana which has recently been twisted into a force for good. The practical applications of Thaumaturgy, the study of manipulating the Weather, has granted new heights in the agriculture and energy industries. However productive Lightning can be in practical uses however, it still is mostly feared for its deadly potential. The power to manipulate billowing storms themselves strikes fear into the hearts of any Thaumaturge's foes.

### Earth Mana

The element which rests below our very feet, the element of Earth is most efficiently used in defensive situations. Creating pillars of Earth to defend from incoming bursts of fire, or sheltering a village which is about to be destroyed by siege weapons couldn't be easier than covering the village in a great, earthen dome. Although defence is where it is best used, Earth Mana can be a particularly powerful tool when in a pinch. The same pillars that protect can be sharpened to impale would-be attackers and grains of sand whipped across enemies with force can make for an uncomfortable end.

### Ice Mana

The manipulation of Ice was often seen as an offset of Water Magic, but after the Winter Court was formed they turned the subtle differences of Ice and turned it into an art form. The towers of the Winter Court were formed themselves from the power of Ice, risen directly from the icy peaks of Neigara. This cold element can also be used in deadly grace, creating sharp constructs which can slice through even the thickest of armours. The element was often overlooked as being gentle and fragile, but following the Era of Umbral Dawn the rise of Ice Magic users began rising, and now it is now ironically used most by High Elves who find beauty in their deadly, frozen blades.

### Other Types of Mana

There are various other, unstudied forms of Mana which have been discovered through Tisserais, including but not limited to:

* Sound Mana
* Emotional Mana
* Spiritual Mana (Prayer)
* Gravity Mana (Thought to be connected to Arcane Mana)

## Arcane Mana (Cosmic)

Also known as "Cosmic", Arcane Mana is the manipulation of the Realm one resides in, including the study and control of the stars, gravity and reality itself. This raw mana is pulled directly from the Mana Streams that flow throughout reality and as such its potential is potentially limitless. Arcane Magic is the most powerful magic and has no true weakness, but it is an art that has been lost to time and is not known to be studied intently by any scholar, not even in the archives of the Scholaria Arcana. It is told by some of the oldest Fae that the manipulation of Arcane Magic was the "Original Sin" that brought the barriers of the realm apart and allowed the Demons to invade, although there is no sure way of knowing.

Arcane Magic can take different forms depending on the caster, and often emits a different colour to resemble the wielder's emotional aura. The mana of the Cosmos can be used in many ways, such as manipulating illusions, creating Cosmic Barriers and also Arcane Missiles which can deal devastating damage to any Elemental Barrier.

Many scholars who have attempted to learn Arcane magic have disappeared mysteriously, leading to the art of Arcane manipulation being lost in time. Some theorise the Fae themselves are responsible for keeping the secret powers of Arcane Magic hidden for fear of what the Mortal Races could do with such untapped potential.

## Mana Crystals

Mana Crystals are the petrification of concentrated pockets of Mana that manifest across the continent. These Crystals have been used for generations throughout Tisserian cultures for all sorts of purposes, from tools and crafting to warfare.

Most commonly in recent times, Mana Crystals are socketed into Staffs and other weapons to imbue them with Elemental Damage. This practice is known as Gem Cutting.

Throughout the cascading cave systems across Tisserais, many veins of Mana Crystals have been found and harvested, leading to a booming industry which builds up a large base of the Tisserian trade economy. Due to the further experimentation of Dwarven ingenuity, Gem Cutting has become a masterful craft with many uses that benefits all levels of Tisserains, from cooking purposes and crafting to military and defensive uses.