Mana is probably the most vital part of the multiverse, and definitely the most vital part of the game. I would like to know more about it. What does it look like? Does it take different forms? Is it tangible? Why does it flow from land? How do people access mana? Why and how is it used to cast spells? Why are there different colors?
If this has been referenced in anything, please tell me. I would also like to hear speculation.
Its an energy that is often intangible unless given form. Mana can take various forms, although its most common form is a current or ribbon-like stream. Other forms its been known to take is shapes like trees. However Elementals and Aetherborn are also living manifestations of this mana that are given form.
Mana usually comes from the ground, except on Kaladesh where its airborne. Most planes tned to have leylines which act as a network of sorts that allows the mana to flow. The source of the mana comes from within the plane of itself. If the plane is artificial, such as Mirrodin, then an artifical means is required such as with the Five Suns.
People often call upon the mana within the land (or air) by acting as a conduit of sorts that allows them to channel the mana into themselves. Doing so also allows them to act as a battery as they store that mana within them. The spells that they cast are fueled by this energy as they shape the mana to give it a new form.
Anara, you confused mana and Aether a few times there. Aetherborn are not made of mana, and mana does not flow through the air on Kaladesh (at least, not anymore than it does on other planes). In both these cases, it is Aether, the substance that makes up the Blind Eternities.
Anara, you confused mana and Aether a few times there. Aetherborn are not made of mana, and mana does not flow through the air on Kaladesh (at least, not anymore than it does on other planes). In both these cases, it is Aether, the substance that makes up the Blind Eternities.
Well Aether on Kaladesh is more akin to mana. As the subject matter that ties it all together is leylines, which are: "Ancient mana paths that flow and crisscross each other across a given landscape. All worlds have a network of leylines. They are often found rather than cast." Within the Oath of the Gatewatch stories, Kiora was having trouble calling upon mana when Nissa was channeling an entire plane's mana through leylines.
In Homesick. Dovan Baan and Nissa Revane have a conversation about Leylines. Baan explains that instead of being bound to the earth, the pathways are in the air. Aether on Kaladesh is not necessarily Æther of the Blind Eternities.
Baan laid his utensils across the edges of his plate at an angle so precise it hurt her eyes, then steepled his fingers. "Indulge my curiosity, if you will, Miss...Nissa." He frowned as the title made him hiss. "I am given to understand you have the ability to perceive and manipulate naturally occurring patterns of magic. Through the land, I believe?"
The golden filigree over his coat was ticking softly, a counterpoint to the clock on the far side of the room. She could hear energy within it sizzling and snapping, imperceptible to Gideon, and perhaps to Baan; his ears were as small as a human's.
"Leylines," she said. "Yes."
His nostrils pinched as he inhaled sharply. "A fascinating inversion. On my world, similar energies stream through the upper reaches of the sky. Aether, it is called. We siphon this power—on mountaintops or from thopters—store it within mechanical devices, and release it for various productive uses. Do people do the same on your world?"
Another example that the Aether of Kaladesh is in fact Mana is that, as described by Dovan Baan from the article Homesick:
"Mister Gideon, aether is in the very air we breathe. It is in the rain that falls to earth, and in the leaves of the trees. We only dare touch such power through the gloves of artifice; a million pieces of instrumentality, each safely performing its assigned function. By rigorous adherence to this method, we avoid 87.4% of the accidentsprovoked by mages drawing upon mana directly. If you will forgive me for saying so, pyromancers are particularly prone to...collateral damage."
Also as another example, how Yahenni explains Aether to Nissa in regards to Nature from the article Born of Aether:
"We are the city. I'm made of aether, and one day, I'll return to it. Nature is all around us, it just may look different than what you're used to."
(The aether is aether but its also leyline currents that are airborne and its also mana as well. The aetherborn are aether. AND if this hasn't been confusing enough, well lets just say its all interconnected.)
Aether, as a magical substance, might share some properties with mana, or even have a component of mana in it, but it is NOT mana. The Aether on Kaladesh is explicitly not mana. Baan made comparisons to other planes mana systems, but he never said anything even resembling "aether is mana".
You mean aside from the discussion on leylines? Aside from how he specifically stated drawing upon the energy they called aether directly leads to accidents and he makes mention of it being mana? In fact, you know what also comes from the Blind Eternties?
which is filled with chaotic energies, mainly the Aether but also mana and temporal energy.
So the airborne currents on Kaladesh hold both Aether and Mana. As they are drawing mana AND aether from the air.
The one thing I will admit I was wrong on was Aetherborn. Everything else is still sound on Kaladesh.
The reason I brought up that quote about the blind eternties is that the aether streams could very well also be holding mana in which that is why it is a volatile process and that technically we are both correct on the matter. That the accidents caused on Kaladesh when trying to directly siphon mana from these currents is volatile is likely because it causes the equivalent of a chemical reaction that is quite harmful.
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If this has been referenced in anything, please tell me. I would also like to hear speculation.
Mana usually comes from the ground, except on Kaladesh where its airborne. Most planes tned to have leylines which act as a network of sorts that allows the mana to flow. The source of the mana comes from within the plane of itself. If the plane is artificial, such as Mirrodin, then an artifical means is required such as with the Five Suns.
People often call upon the mana within the land (or air) by acting as a conduit of sorts that allows them to channel the mana into themselves. Doing so also allows them to act as a battery as they store that mana within them. The spells that they cast are fueled by this energy as they shape the mana to give it a new form.
Well Aether on Kaladesh is more akin to mana. As the subject matter that ties it all together is leylines, which are: "Ancient mana paths that flow and crisscross each other across a given landscape. All worlds have a network of leylines. They are often found rather than cast." Within the Oath of the Gatewatch stories, Kiora was having trouble calling upon mana when Nissa was channeling an entire plane's mana through leylines.
In Homesick. Dovan Baan and Nissa Revane have a conversation about Leylines. Baan explains that instead of being bound to the earth, the pathways are in the air. Aether on Kaladesh is not necessarily Æther of the Blind Eternities.
The golden filigree over his coat was ticking softly, a counterpoint to the clock on the far side of the room. She could hear energy within it sizzling and snapping, imperceptible to Gideon, and perhaps to Baan; his ears were as small as a human's.
"Leylines," she said. "Yes."
His nostrils pinched as he inhaled sharply. "A fascinating inversion. On my world, similar energies stream through the upper reaches of the sky. Aether, it is called. We siphon this power—on mountaintops or from thopters—store it within mechanical devices, and release it for various productive uses. Do people do the same on your world?"
Another example that the Aether of Kaladesh is in fact Mana is that, as described by Dovan Baan from the article Homesick:
Also as another example, how Yahenni explains Aether to Nissa in regards to Nature from the article Born of Aether:
(The aether is aether but its also leyline currents that are airborne and its also mana as well. The aetherborn are aether. AND if this hasn't been confusing enough, well lets just say its all interconnected.)
So the airborne currents on Kaladesh hold both Aether and Mana. As they are drawing mana AND aether from the air.
The one thing I will admit I was wrong on was Aetherborn. Everything else is still sound on Kaladesh.
Baan is saying that using Aether as a fuel source is less dangerous than using mana as a fuel source.
Your quote pretty much explicitly states that Aether and mana are not the same.
I'm not arguing most of your original statements. I'm arguing that aether is NOT mana, as you claimed it was.