Magic: Mana and Aether - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Magic: Mana and Aether

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Novacat
Feb 19, 2009 23:35:35 I was wondering lately how many people actually stop and think about how magic works in their campaign worlds? Obviously this only applies to custom worlds, since FR, Eberron, etc., already tell us how it work there. I'd like to read about the (non-game) mechanics of magic in other worlds.

In my world:

What Magic Is: Throughout the world, existing in all place, is an invisible medium of unknown substance. This medium, known as Aether, is the canvas upon which magical energies swirl and spread throughout the world. Like a great blanket, Aether makes possible all forms of mortal energy: magic, life, and light. The magical energies that dance freely within Aether can be perceived only by the most astute wizards, and they describe it as "flecks and particles, like a great flurry of snow, but rather than snowflakes, they are brilliant specks of light and warmth. They flow in all directions, shifting in currents like dust in the ocean. Their number is unimaginable, their closeness unfathomable, yet they are distinct. It is not a fluid, but more accurately a amassing of bits like a fine sand blowing through the wind."

Mana: In all mortals there are three parts: The Body, The Mind, and The Soul. The body is the physical form of a creature, directly controlled by the mind. The mind is the active consciousness of the creature, given its nature by the soul. The soul is the innermost essence of a creature, a formation of Life Energy, or Mana, that sustains the mind and body. The loss of the Soul is the death of both the Mind and the Body. A mind can freely and naturally control the movements and functions of its body, but some mortals have learned how to control their own soul in the same way. Doing so is strenuous, much like using a physical muscle, but as the mortal practices the expenditure of mana, he becomes "stronger" in soul. Like a muscle, the Soul replenishes its Mana after use, and will increase its mana store, allowing the mortal to use more and more mana at a time before needing to rest.

What a Spell Is: When a mortal uses magic, he must control his Soul, for only mana can interact with Magic. By expending mana, his soul captures the free-floating magic energies from the surrounding space, and molds it into a desired form. The magic is "programed" into a desired purpose, infused with various elements of the user's soul, and then released. Once set loose, these altered mana particles fulfill whatever design was given to them, resulting in the desired spell. The use of magic is a complicated process, and only the eldest of wizards can actually comprehend how it works. When casting a spell, most magic-users must employ some sort of foci, be it a staff, a crystal, or some arbitrary set of gestures and mumbled words, in order to correctly channel their mana into the spell. With experience, some casters shed these needs and habits, while others continue to employ them to sharpen their concentration.

Magic Items: Any permanent magical effect requires a power source, and is more complicated than a normal, instantaneous spell. Infusing a magical enchantment into an object, the caster must include in the spell's "program" a means by which to power itself, and a means to perpetuate its own functions. In effect, the object is continuously casting a spell on itself, to keep itself powered. Most magic items draw power from the Aether, just like any caster. Some draw power from their users, and others from more insidious sources.

Aether, Mana, and the Body: The Aether is a chaotic sea of energy. It is the least hospitable environment imaginable for any form of life. If a Soul is exposed directly to Aether, it is ravaged, and is subjected to a pain too extreme for a physical being to comprehend. It is for this reason that the Body serves as a shield for the Soul, protecting it from the elements like a house protects one from a terrible storm. When the body becomes too damaged, the Soul may become dislodged, and without the Soul, the Mind and Body die. As the Body ages, the rigors of Aether will slowly wear down its defenses. Elven bodies are infused with fey magics, and are not susceptible to this fate. Dwarven bodies are hardy, and last longer than humans, but will eventually succumb to Aether's slow erosion. Humans know best this fate, and fear it. Aether is, to them, an unseen, unstoppable enemy, pushing them inevitably to an uncertain fate.
#2
alchemist_mage
Feb 21, 2009 15:13:04 Interesting idea.
The Aether reminds me a bit of "Life Stream" in FFVII. Anyone who has played it would know what I mean.
I like it, though I was wondering where you plan to integrate this complexity of having a "setting" on a "setting" so to speak. Are you going to make it part of the story that players can seek out "aether" and find some deific source of power if they come to fully understand this background setting to this particular mana system and world ?
If players can handle it, I'd say why not.
#3
Vatras
Feb 21, 2009 15:27:32 I use the explanation of the Ultima games: everything is surrounded by the ether, which can be drawn upon to work magic. Where there is no ether, or where access to it is blocked (like in a chamber made of blackrock), magic cannot be used.
To access the ether for rituals or spells, one must be schooled in it's use.
#4
Dreamstryder
Feb 23, 2009 19:37:32 Check out Basque mythology's adur. Unless I misunderstand, the connection made between an object, its symbol, and its name is not just a match made between concepts in one's mind but is external and affects physics: adur. I wonder if you can reach something by making up a symbol for it?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Novacat Feb 19, 2009 23:35:35	I was wondering lately how many people actually stop and think about how magic works in their campaign worlds? Obviously this only applies to custom worlds, since FR, Eberron, etc., already tell us how it work there. I'd like to read about the (non-game) mechanics of magic in other worlds. In my world: What Magic Is: Throughout the world, existing in all place, is an invisible medium of unknown substance. This medium, known as Aether, is the canvas upon which magical energies swirl and spread throughout the world. Like a great blanket, Aether makes possible all forms of mortal energy: magic, life, and light. The magical energies that dance freely within Aether can be perceived only by the most astute wizards, and they describe it as "flecks and particles, like a great flurry of snow, but rather than snowflakes, they are brilliant specks of light and warmth. They flow in all directions, shifting in currents like dust in the ocean. Their number is unimaginable, their closeness unfathomable, yet they are distinct. It is not a fluid, but more accurately a amassing of bits like a fine sand blowing through the wind." Mana: In all mortals there are three parts: The Body, The Mind, and The Soul. The body is the physical form of a creature, directly controlled by the mind. The mind is the active consciousness of the creature, given its nature by the soul. The soul is the innermost essence of a creature, a formation of Life Energy, or Mana, that sustains the mind and body. The loss of the Soul is the death of both the Mind and the Body. A mind can freely and naturally control the movements and functions of its body, but some mortals have learned how to control their own soul in the same way. Doing so is strenuous, much like using a physical muscle, but as the mortal practices the expenditure of mana, he becomes "stronger" in soul. Like a muscle, the Soul replenishes its Mana after use, and will increase its mana store, allowing the mortal to use more and more mana at a time before needing to rest. What a Spell Is: When a mortal uses magic, he must control his Soul, for only mana can interact with Magic. By expending mana, his soul captures the free-floating magic energies from the surrounding space, and molds it into a desired form. The magic is "programed" into a desired purpose, infused with various elements of the user's soul, and then released. Once set loose, these altered mana particles fulfill whatever design was given to them, resulting in the desired spell. The use of magic is a complicated process, and only the eldest of wizards can actually comprehend how it works. When casting a spell, most magic-users must employ some sort of foci, be it a staff, a crystal, or some arbitrary set of gestures and mumbled words, in order to correctly channel their mana into the spell. With experience, some casters shed these needs and habits, while others continue to employ them to sharpen their concentration. Magic Items: Any permanent magical effect requires a power source, and is more complicated than a normal, instantaneous spell. Infusing a magical enchantment into an object, the caster must include in the spell's "program" a means by which to power itself, and a means to perpetuate its own functions. In effect, the object is continuously casting a spell on itself, to keep itself powered. Most magic items draw power from the Aether, just like any caster. Some draw power from their users, and others from more insidious sources. Aether, Mana, and the Body: The Aether is a chaotic sea of energy. It is the least hospitable environment imaginable for any form of life. If a Soul is exposed directly to Aether, it is ravaged, and is subjected to a pain too extreme for a physical being to comprehend. It is for this reason that the Body serves as a shield for the Soul, protecting it from the elements like a house protects one from a terrible storm. When the body becomes too damaged, the Soul may become dislodged, and without the Soul, the Mind and Body die. As the Body ages, the rigors of Aether will slowly wear down its defenses. Elven bodies are infused with fey magics, and are not susceptible to this fate. Dwarven bodies are hardy, and last longer than humans, but will eventually succumb to Aether's slow erosion. Humans know best this fate, and fear it. Aether is, to them, an unseen, unstoppable enemy, pushing them inevitably to an uncertain fate.
#2 alchemist_mage Feb 21, 2009 15:13:04	Interesting idea. The Aether reminds me a bit of "Life Stream" in FFVII. Anyone who has played it would know what I mean. I like it, though I was wondering where you plan to integrate this complexity of having a "setting" on a "setting" so to speak. Are you going to make it part of the story that players can seek out "aether" and find some deific source of power if they come to fully understand this background setting to this particular mana system and world ? If players can handle it, I'd say why not.
#3 Vatras Feb 21, 2009 15:27:32	I use the explanation of the Ultima games: everything is surrounded by the ether, which can be drawn upon to work magic. Where there is no ether, or where access to it is blocked (like in a chamber made of blackrock), magic cannot be used. To access the ether for rituals or spells, one must be schooled in it's use.
#4 Dreamstryder Feb 23, 2009 19:37:32	Check out Basque mythology's adur. Unless I misunderstand, the connection made between an object, its symbol, and its name is not just a match made between concepts in one's mind but is external and affects physics: adur. I wonder if you can reach something by making up a symbol for it?