Metamagic

When most people think "magic", images of mana, powerful spells, and potions come to mind. The concept of metamagic is the larger scope that encompasses all of these.

Mana

Mana, in and of itself, is the substance of which all magic is composed. Mana is a physical entity, and can most properly be compared to photons, which are the particle components of light. Mana, in its raw form, is gaseous and invisible to the unaided eye. Some spells can be used to "see" the concentration of mana in a given area. This is akin to how infrared detects the presence of heat and the visual representation is known a "mana field". Through other magical processes, mana can be stored in a liquid form, at extremely low temperatures (close to absolute zero). In this state, mana appears to be an opaque purplish color.

Additionally, mana can bond itself to the structure of certain kinds of crystals during crystallization. Mana stored in this way is embedded directly within the molecular structure of the resulting gem, and can be stored for a long time without stagnating. The mana can then be absorbed by a mage or transferred to a magi-tech device at a later time. Crystals that have formed this way (either naturally or artificially) are called mana crystals.

Mana is generally useless to mortals in its raw form. However, because of the prismatic effects of the Creation Gods' crystals, mana is most often found split into one of six threads.

When used, Mana becomes "inert" and is unusable until it recharges. Mana is recharged by being absorbed by and passing through organic matter. For this reason, planets with healthy ecosystems generally have a higher concentration of usable mana than planets that do not. Conversely, pollution on a planet can reduce the concentration of usable mana available.

The Wheel of Mana

The Wheel of Mana is a six-spoked wheel. Each spoke represents one of the six threads of mana. The hollow at the center of the wheel represents Void.

Mana is most often seen as one of six possible "threads". Each thread has a certain elemental property. The following chart lists the type of mana and its corresponding color:

Element	Color
Light	White
Shadow	Black
Fire	Red
Earth	Green
Water	Blue
Air	Yellow

Void

Void is not a property of mana as much as an anti-property. Void means that there is an absence of mana.

Opposing Threads

Threads of mana that are directly opposite on the Wheel are said to be opposing. If two opposing threads are put into the same weave, the intended weave's elemental effect is weakened. If equal quantities of opposing threads are included in a weave, their elemental properties are negated and the sum of the threads contribute only to the weave's overall intensity.

• Light opposes Shadow
• Water opposes Fire
• Air opposes Earth

Lending Threads

Threads of mana that are adjacent on the Wheel are said to be lending. Lending threads increase the intensity of a thread's contribution to a weave. If used in sufficient quantity, lending threads can shift the elemental property of a weave.

• Fire and Earth lend to Shadow
• Water and Air lend to Light
• Water and Shadow lend to Fire

Borrowing Threads

Threads of mana that are adjacent to opposing threads on the Wheel are said to be borrowing. Borrowing threads diminish the intensity of a thread's contribution to a weave. If used in sufficient quantity, borrowing threads can shift the elemental property of a weave.

Metamagical Properties

Psionics

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