Magic in the Alsier Universe

By Roidh

Mana
Mana is a type of energy that flows over the world. It flows over the entire world permeating
the ground and atmosphere. In trace amounts, it is invisible to the human eye but in highly
concentrated quantities it takes on a glowing teal color.

The source of all mana lies deep underground. Great ley lines crisscross and traverse the
planet in great rings under its crust. Some lines are stronger than others and when multiple lines
overlap, they create a burst of mana being released. The effects of these underground lines on the
surface are twofold.

1. Along the ley lines mana levels tend to be higher. In places where multiple lines are close to
one another or even colliding the mana levels tend to be highest. As you travel away from
the lines the mana levels slowly decrease.
2. The mineral composition can affect the flow of mana out of the surface and into the world.
While porous rocks allow mana to flow freely through others tend to trap the mana forcing
the land to uplift and deform upon the line. Many times, ridges and hills are distinguishing
markers for ley lines. These situations are also ripe for the formation of mana crystals,
small bits of mana that bind with other minerals and create crystalline formations.

In its raw form, mana is both a lifeblood and a killer. Beings (except the mindor) need mana
within them to thrive, but too much mana and it becomes poisonous. Since the mana flows
through the air, most beings naturally absorb it just by breathing. Since the amount of mana can be
variable, it can usually be thought to exist within different levels: none, low, medium, high, and very
high. For most beings, mana levels between low and high are safe and allow them to operate with
no ill effect. In areas of no mana, they tend to feel a light sluggishness and there is an increase in
infertility. In areas with very high mana then they begin to suffer from mana poisoning. This causes
the being to become violent and primal while their body slowly shifts to a living nightmare as their
mind is eventually lost. Depending on just how high the mana level is, these effects can be subtle
and develop over months or can happen in a manner of hours. High mana areas do tend to
stimulate evolutionary mutations allowing species to evolve at a more rapid rate, but it is still rather
slow and does not come with any ill mental effects.

There are some exceptions to this. First is the aforementioned mindor. This race is entirely
immune to magic. Their bodies do not consume it, but at the same time they cannot use it. This
makes them ideal for entering highly magic-filled environments as there are no ill effects.

The klyra are a race that requires more mana than usual to function. Their taur shaped bodies
use mana to augment their internal organs to help deal with issues of heart size and lung capacity.
They function well in normal and high mana areas but begin to suffer in low mana areas and their
bodies start to shut down in no mana zones. Very high mana areas still cause as much suffering to
them as most other species.

The spirits are the last big exception. Spirits are concentrated mana given shape and life. They
deserve their own species breakdown, but for the purposes of mana levels, they require normal
mana levels or above to survive. Being that they themselves are made of mana, very high mana
areas do not affect them the way it does to other species. In contrast, the effects of low and no
mana areas are far worse as they just wither away and die.

Mana Body and Casting Spells

Mana manifests upon each being (mindor excepted) as what is known as a mana body. This is a
thin shroud of mana that flows directly over the body. This mana is directly connected to the
individual’s mind. Those with magical gifts can manipulate and release this mana to cast spells. To
do this, the mana within their mana body interacts with the natural mana in the environment to
perform the incantation.

The natural mana level of the area affects the casting. In no and low mana areas, the mana
from one’s mana body must be used to make up the difference or the spells will have reduced
effect or none at all. In no magic zones, a mage will only be able to cast one or two spells before
exhausting their mana body where they would normally be able to cast a dozen in short succession
before needing to recharge. In higher mana levels areas, spells will have increased effects, but also
have the risk of going wild.

The mana body will be held close to the body from even light clothing and fur. Furthermore, it
tends to be far easier to extend from the hands and legs. The maximum range of extension is
usually one or two feet depending on how trained the mage is. When Ren manipulated a whole
bunch of cards to swirl around his body it demonstrated a high level of skill and control. This also
means that for attacks to be made at range the mage manipulates the object close to them and
launches it. Once launched, then further control is highly diminished.

Certain objects can also conduct mana and be used to send spells to a longer range. This is
why Ren pulled threads from his clothing to blast the door away. The threads were able to act as a
current for the mana to actually blast the door off its hinges.

When two mana bodies touch, one can use the mana body’s connection with the mind to affect
the other’s brain. While the mana body can be extended, it is required for the two to temporarily
intermingle. This means touching one another.

Capabilities of Magic
At its core, magic works like a form of energy. This energy can be converted into force, but not
into matter. This means that magic cannot not be used to conjure anything physical, but rather only
can be used to change the physical world. Mass must be conserved. Still, it can also change
temperatures, start a fire (assuming something to burn), create sound waves, or even alter the
direction of light.
 Magic’s affect upon another’s mana body has a different possible set of effects. As one can use
this to create a connection between two minds. One can use this to read the other’s memories,
erase them, or even alter or implant new fake ones. The connection does go both ways though so
as you read someone’s mind, they could be reading yours. It becomes a battle of mental strength.
Tapping into someone’s memories like that also requires time. It is far quicker, easier, and safer to
temporarily disrupt the mind to force one’s opponent to fall unconscious.

Far more dangerous to attempt to use magic to affect another’s body. As previously stated, too
much mana is poisonous. The mana becomes held and trapped in the other producing the same
effects that one would experience within a high mana area. This is even true for plant life. The
mana becomes trapped within the plant which then will mutate its form and even transfer that
excess mana into anyone who consumes it, poisoning them as well.

For these reasons, magic can not be used to help crops grow, shapeshift, or even heal others.
There are techniques one can use to perform such feats without leaving magical residue, but such
secrets remain in the hands of the spirits and the northern Firkoan kankir. Many great spirits abuse
such facts and have risen to the level of local gods who provide healing and farming services in
return for wealth, power, and worship.