Within the Segmented Verse, the Universe that The Dungeon Gods takes place in, Mana is the energy source powering all magic. Without Mana, magic of all kinds would be impossible. But, what is Mana? Here, I will introduce you to the basics of Mana, consisting of its nature, and the attributes.

    First: The Nature of Mana

   This is asked from a scientific viewpoint. Physically speaking, what is Mana? Clearly, Mana possesses some way of delivering energy, so, is it a particle? Or a wave? The answer, is neither. Mana, much like light, possesses both particle- and wave-like properties.

    A Mana "pulse", where a large quantity of Mana in the environment is disrupted and thus moves away, like a ripple in a lake, travels in much the same way as a wave, while caring naught for the environment in the way. However, when energy is supplied by that "pulse", it is supplied instantaneously, like a particle, rather than over a period of time, like a wave.

    So, from a scientific standpoint, Mana is much like light, being neither a wave nor a particle, although unlike light, Mana cannot be sensed through the normal senses. Instead, in those with the ability to manipulate Mana, it directly stimulates certain parts of the nervous system, producing a variety of sensations depending upon the attribute of the Mana.

    Second: The Attributes of Mana

   All Mana contains attributes, related to The Four Elements, The Opposites, The Cycle of Reincarnation, or Destiny. All these attributes have no impact on the general nature of Mana, essentially meaning that any device used to detect Mana would be unable to detect the attributes of Mana.

    The attribute of the Mana in an environment, makes all magic using that attribute stronger, and easier to cast, while negatively affect other attributes, depending on their relation to the environment's attributes.

    The possible attributes are as follows:

    The Four Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind. These four exist in a cycle, where Fire > Earth > Wind > Water > Fire. Almost all other elements in the world that are used in magic, whether its lightning, magma, ice or otherwise, are actually just variations and combinations of these Elements. Perhaps because of this, all Elementals within the Segemented Verse are only of The Four Elements or The Opposites.

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    The Opposites: Light and Darkness. These two are a self-contained cycle, each one both strengthening and weakening the other. When combined, they form the element of shadow within magic, but shadow is not an attribute of Mana. Despite common belief across a majority of worlds, neither Light nor Darkness have anything to do with morality. Light is not inherently good, nor is Darkness inherently evil. It is entirely possibe for a "good" man who cares about and constantly helps others to use the Darkness, and for a cruel and "evil" man to use the Light. This is likely because Reality has no solid concept of good and evil, for they are opinions developed by lifeforms within the Multiverse as a whole, rather than an inherent and recognised part of Reality.

    The Cycle of Reincarnation: Life and Death. Like The Opposites, these two are a self-contained cycle. The combination of these two prduces the magic element of Rebirth or Reincarnation, but again, this is not an attribute. Similarly, again, to The Opposites, Life and Death have nothing to do with morality.

    Destiny. This exists on its own, and is unrelated to all other attributes of Mana. The Destiny attribute does not appear naturally, unlike the other mentioned attributes, and is related to, but does not control, time. Through Destiny attributed Mana and magic, it is possible to predict, but not guarantee, the future. This is because all of the future is a product of countless different events, and knowing of the end-result, even if you want it, can be enough on its own to make you act differently enough to such events to create a different outcome. This is why such predictions are only accrurate to any degree when the prediction is of the near future, or of a massive event in the far future.

    Not commonly recognised, and not mentioned earlier, are two other attibutes: Arcane, and Divine.

    Arcane is, in essence, Pure Mana. The other attributes are essentially an expression of the environments' "tainting" of the Mana. Technically, when someone or something absorbs and stores Mana within themselves, that Mana is Arcane attrubuted, as the environments "taint" is removed upon entering the body. Upon use, however, it is "tainted" with the attribute being used.

    Divine Mana, however, is basically the power of the Gods. All other attributes only affect their specific parts of reality, even Arcane. Divine, one the other hand, can do anything at any time, although it too is technically a "tainted" version of Arcane Mana. The only beings capable of using Divine Mana, are Gods. There have been many attempts by other beings to use it, but Divine "taint" does not appear natuarally, only when a God is working magic.

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This has been an introduction of Mana within the Segmented Verse. Please, comment below if there is anything else you want to know. Also, if you see any errors, please inform me.

Do Enjoy. :)