Manaverse

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The Manaverse is the name given to a universe that is shared by several canons, all of which operating under the same fundamental rules. It is primarily characterized by the existence of a harmonizing energy eponymously known as Mana. The continued existence of the Manaverse and all that it encompasses is made possible by "reality," which is comparable to a metaphysical membrane that occupies the Manaverse known as the Fabric.

Basic Concepts

Aethers

Main Articles: Eon, Excess, Mana and Prana

One of the most basic characterizing features of the Manaverse is the existence of several unique energies, each with their own purposes in the grand scheme of the universe's makeup. Certain energies that exist throughout the Manaverse are given the distinction of being a Primordial Energy. A Primordial Energy (or alternatively, Primordial Aether) is defined as one that plays an important function to maintaining the universe, or otherwise exists a "building block." In particular, Mana is considered the highest-tiered Primordial Energy due to its fundamental importance to the continued existence of the Manaverse. Prana, meanwhile, falls into the category of being a "building block" of the universe, whereas Eon and Excess exist as regulators of sorts.

There are also other energies in the Manaverse, notably Vykra and Vorpal. There are no particular categorical descriptions for these energies (as with the Primordial Energies), as they tend to be fairly local in nature.

As stated above, Mana is the eponymous aether of the Manaverse, and is considered to be the most important of the Primordial Energies. It is the predominant source of Magic, and is a vital component to the continued function of souls and, thus, life. Souls cannot function properly without the existence of Mana. Its nature is that of "harmonization"; Mana seeks equilibrium with the media with which it interacts, leading to planetary and environmental Mana Cycles. It attunes itself with the environment and as it flows, Mana allows this equilibrium to exist everywhere in nature. For example, the aether might elementally-shift into Nature Mana and allow plant life to spread, or establish a Water-elemental cycle with rivers and oceans.

Although it is not a Primordial Energy, Mana has a direct opposite in the form of the energy known as Malice. At the most basic level, the functions of the two energies are essentially the same; Malice is a primary source of Magic, and is also a perfectly viable component for souls. But rather than harmonizing with its surroundings, Malice instead has a nature of "consumption." It seeks to consume and assimilate everything with which it interacts into itself.

Prana is the aether associated with spiritual energy. Strictly speaking, Prana can be considered a "life force" in the Manaverse. It is closely tied with the spiritual body -- particularly the Soul Component. It exists in a cyclical nature with the soul's structure; Prana functions as a building block of the soul's structure, and is also passively generated by souls. It is also a secondary, much less commonly-used source of Magic.

Eon is the aether responsible for spatial and temporal segregation in the grand scheme of the Manaverse. Eon resists change and commands. It exists primarily outside of "conventional" reality, where it condenses into membranes known as Eonbranes. These Eonbranes act as an otherworldly equivalent of gravity for the purposes of "anchoring" dimensions and even timelines. It leaks into the material world rather frequently, allowing for its usage by certain species -- notably, Sky Serpents. Eon also is responsible for the upkeep of interplanetary nodes that transfer Mana throughout the universe, known as Manacles. Its nature is that of "eternity"; it is an energy that cannot be altered by principle; thus, it cannot be used to fuel Magic.

The aether known as Excess is the restorative force in the fabric of reality. It is chaotic and orderless, and is spontaneously generated by stimulation of the Fabric, most commonly in trace amounts in the execution of Magic. It decays extremely rapidly after coming into existence, and is the primary force which drives the Fabric to normality after it has been altered.

Chains of Fate

Domains and Soul Phantasms

Main Articles: Domain and Soul Phantasm

Within the Manaverse, certain entities possess a property or alignment that is uniquely encoded into their soul, known as a Domain. Individuals with the disposition to hold Domains have the possibility of "Awakening" them. The existence of a Domain is to serve as a foundation of one's Soul Phantasm; an irregularity which allows the user to interact with and influence the reality of the world around them. Only Domains in an "Awakened" state have the possibility of manifesting a Soul Phantasm. A Domain may exist in an "Unawakened" state, in which they are effectively dormant and inactive. It is important to note that one's disposition towards developing a Domain is entirely dependent upon the individual. Genetics and other factors have negligible, nigh-nil influence upon the soul's propensity to develop a certain Domain or Soul Phantasm.

Awakening a Domain requires no special initiation rite or activation conditions. Domains organically enter an Awakened state based on variable circumstances which cannot be accurately defined. Some Domains awaken automatically on birth, others may never see their Domain Awakened, or even be aware that their almagenetic makeup allowed for them to have one. Certain individuals may be able to Awaken a Domain through the influence of an outside medium, such as that of a Manacle.

Soul Phantasms, in turn, are irregular, innate abilities that allow the user to influence the world around without the use of magic or any other such medium. A Soul Phantasm is an interpretation or an extrapolation of the very concept the Domain represents. A Soul Phantasm allows the individual an extreme degree of command or dominion over the concept that it entails, rather than strict manipulation -- this makes it superior to magic in the sense that utilizing a Soul Phantasm does not require the use of an external source, such as Mana or other aethers, or the proficiency to execute the action. A Soul Phantasm merely requires the user to will something to change.

The standard nomenclature of a Soul Phantasm is to append the concept with the suffix "-impery," which implies the nature of dominion over the concept. However, it is worth noting that Soul Phantasms are merely "shortcuts" to achieve an end result, while magic has a much more diverse array of applications. Domains can also act as predispositions that lightly influence the user's innate magiological capabilities. For example, someone with a Domain of 'Water' could find water-based magic to be much more intuitive, and thus easier to execute.

Elemental Spectrum

Main Article: Elemental Spectrum


The Fabric

Magic

Main Article: Magiology


Souls

Main Article: Soul


Canons

Locations

Dimensions

Worlds

Races

Main Article: List of Major Manaverse Races


Timelines

Although events in the Manaverse do not follow a linear continuity due to the existence of an infinite number of timelines, it is canonically considered to follow the events of two prominent timelines. The first of these is referred to as the Prime Timeline, and is considered to be the "main" timeline as all involved canons follow their original and intended paths. The second timeline, known as the Alter Timeline, is the result of a distortion in which the fates of several characters existing in the Prime Timeline instead gravitated towards Ustream, a country in the continent of Forvolrasuls, Euthora. Other timelines, such as a posited Drei Timeline exist as well, but are often exclusive to lesser developments at this time. There also exist several plots which do not fall under any of the aforementioned timelines. For example, Fate/Lunaterra is considered to exist in its own isolated timeline.

In spite of the inherent non-linear nature of the Manaverse's timelines, there exists a period of time, colloquially known as Standard Canon Time (commonly abbreviated as SCT), which is used as an "anchor" when speaking of the timelines. Many events and canons within the Manaverse are expressed in time relative to the position of Standard Canon Time.

Related Articles

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