(Posted 2026-04-15)

The Two Domains of Mana

  1. Mana, the energy which allows magicians and their like to break the otherwise binding laws of reality, comes in two major varieties: Celestial and geomorphic.
  2. Celestial Mana is that which radiates from heavenly (or immaterial) bodies.
  3. Geomorphic Mana is that which is emitted from the core of the earth, and is then absorbed into other materials.
  4. Both types of mana have sub-varieites (moon mana, dirt mana, gold mana, thunder mana, etc.).

Recharging Magical Items

  1. To fill an item with Celestial Mana, it must have continuous vision of it’s source (exposed to the moon for 3 days, or see lightning for 7 strikes, and so on).
    1. As a result, weather and other sight related struggles are often bothersome to one seeking to infuse an item with Celestial Mana.
    2. It is for this reason (among others) that wizards sometimes build towers to the heavens, so that they may have a more uninhibited line of sight to the required mana.
  2. To fill an item with Geomorphic Mana, it must be entombed or surrounded by the requisite material (muddy water, gold, leaves, and so on).
    1. Those which require rare materials often produce exotic effects.
    2. The material may recharge it’s own mana naturally, but there have been notable cases where this can take decades, if not longer before it becomes suitable as a geomorphic source again.
    3. It is for this reason (among others) that wizards sometimes build vast underground complexes filled with odd materials, so that their sources may have a more direct exposure to Geomorphic Mana.
  3. Regardless, stronger magical effects often take more time to charge the item, though the size of the item infused may be quite small (a ring of fireball, for example).

Game Usage

  1. I’m using this to get inspiration for how to re-charge magic items (like in Masuritter), as I personally wanted more of a JRPG/anime styled system than folk tale styled (i.e, “betray a loved one to see through their lies forevermore”).
    1. Though, perhaps this is the seperaetion between academic magic and folk magic? Assumedly the latter may still work, but in a way that isn’t fully understood or respected.
  2. Since I’m often using Knave 2e. I’ll say that spellbooks have been built to sustain themselves for the most part, hence why they are such sought after items.
    1. I’ve often described the book part as majority manual on how to maintain the spell without accident, but I think I’ll add in the aspect of magical maintainace to it, as well.
  3. You could make an exact ratio for spell level to charge time. Personally, I think it’s going to be more of a guideline in my games, as rarity is also a factor.
  4. This paradigm is probably built on assumptions to be re-done, much like studies of the natural world. Therefore, I think having wizards argue about it is fun (such as the classification of mana infused in flames, metorites, or ocean winds).

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