| Mana | A substance found all over Mezia which is necessary for using magic. |
|---|---|
| Element | A property of mana that determines what sort of effect that mana will produce. |
| Pure mana | The most common element of mana which can be converted into other elements. |
| Manasphere | A layer composed almost entirely of pure mana which covers and permeates the entire planet. |
| Manastone | Crystalized elemental mana necessary to convert pure mana into another element. |
| Mana hunter | Someone who searches for manastones to bring back to their hometown. |
| Mage | Someone who is highly skilled at casting spells. |
| Boost / Spell | A way to control mana to produce a desired effect. |
Magic is any effect produced using mana. Magic is performed in one of two ways, a boost or a spell. Boosts are simple, instantaneous effects that are widespread on Mezia, occurring naturally through plants, animals, weather, and even the planet itself. Spells are complex and usually long lasting, and can only be cast by mages who have learned and practiced them.
Magic in Mezia RPG is designed to have a simple foundation with many branches. A complete explanation of magic is found across many different pages, and this page consolidates some of the most crucial information to make it as accessible as possible.
Magic does not alter reality
Magic is a very powerful tool, but it does not alter or distort reality directly.
For example, magic can be used to dig chunks of earth out and fling them away, but it cannot make chunks of earth rip themselves from the ground and fly through the air. The end result may look very similar, but the distinction is important.
As another example, imagine a mage traveling through the desert who has run out of water. They may be able to produce water mana to drink and quench their thirst, but it is not real water and thus will not rehydrate them, only soothe their parched throat.
Magic requires mana
Magic effects are produced using mana. Mana is found almost everywhere, but mostly in its pure form.
Many magic effects require converting mana into another element first, which can be done using manastones.
Mana of any element other than pure is inherently unstable. Elemental mana can only exist for a brief period before decaying back into pure mana.
Mana is finite
While mana is present in most places, it can be exhausted if overused. The local mana density may vary, and both very low and very high concentrations of mana can impact how magic functions.
In most places, there is enough mana that even if multiple mages start flinging spells at each other, they will not disturb the local mana density. Overuse of mana, such as during a large battle, can form a mana scar and limit or prevent the use of magic for a time.
Places known as mana springs have an unusually high mana density. Here, mana may freely convert between elements and magic effects may spontaneously happen. Mana springs are some of the most dangerous places on the planet.
Magic is impermanent
Magic can be used to produce a wide variety of effects, but any magical effect will end once the mana it requires is exhausted.
Some effects can be maintained by continuously feeding mana into them. Some settlements have "permanent" magic barriers which have been up for years, but they are only permanent as long as there are mages around to funnel mana into them.
Any effects produced using magic that don't require mana to continue will persist just as if they had been produced without magic. For example, a pile of wood struck by a fireball will continue to burn even after the spell ends, just as if it had been ignited without magic.
Anyone can use magic
Becoming a mage is not something won in a genetic lottery. Everyone on Mezia can feel mana's presence as easily as they can feel the air around them. Children of nobles and peasants alike can learn to use magic at a young age. Farmers may use magic to help their crops grow, blacksmiths may use it to sharpen their blades, and nobles may tweak their appearance with it. Magic is a normal part of everyday life.
However, there are two limitations to everyone using magic.
The first limitation is access. Only pure mana can be used without a manastone. Manastones are fairly rare and expensive, so only a small percentage of people have access to elemental effects.
The second limitation is difficulty. Like anything else in life, magic must be learned and trained to do anything more than the basics. While a village elder or guru may suffice in teaching youngsters the basics, there is no substitute for experience.