The Essence Classification and the Inspection System

The Essence Classification and the Inspection System in the Machina Arcanis universe serve as a foundation for understanding the strength, potential, and specialization of a mage's abilities. Here's a detailed breakdown:

Essence Classification

Essences are categorized into tiers based on their strength, complexity, and rarity. This classification helps mages assess their abilities and plan their growth.

1. Lesser Essence

Rarity:

Common.

Description:

Basic, rudimentary essences used for everyday utility or low-level combat. These are the first essences most mages or users acquire when they begin exploring their abilities.

Abilities:

Simple manipulations like basic elemental control (e.g., creating a spark of fire, levitating objects).

Primarily used for convenience (e.g., lighting a flame, minor healing).

Limited power range, low efficiency.

2. Greater Essence

Rarity:

Uncommon.

Description:

Advanced essences requiring a deeper understanding of natural laws. Users at this level are considered proficient and capable of contributing significantly to combat or intricate tasks.

Abilities:

Moderately powerful skills such as creating barriers, sustained healing, or shaping the environment.

Some essences allow low-grade multi-tasking (e.g., controlling multiple elements in limited quantities).

3. Epic Essence

Rarity:

Rare.

Description:

Exceptional essences that signify mastery over specific domains. Users are considered elite, with abilities capable of altering battles or performing near-miraculous feats.

Abilities:

High-impact powers, such as large-scale area-of-effect magic or rapid regeneration.

Unlocks specialized abilities like augmenting one's body, summoning entities, or bending more complex laws (e.g., manipulating sound, time distortions).

Often unique or personalized due to the wielder's creativity.

4. Mythic Essence

Rarity:

Very Rare.

Description:

Legendary essences tied to mythological feats or stories. Users with mythic essences are revered or feared, often holding unique slots capable of handling their vast power.

Abilities:

Capable of reshaping landscapes, summoning mythical constructs, or affecting life on a massive scale.

High adaptability and creativity-driven, with extremely complex spells requiring a profound understanding of natural laws.

Myths or historical events may resonate with these powers, making them unpredictable and highly situational.

5. Primordial Essence

Rarity:

Unique (One of a Kind).

Description:

Originating from the fabric of existence itself, these essences embody the primal forces of the universe. They are not "acquired" but are either inherited, awakened, or fused with over time.

Abilities:

Beyond comprehension, enabling users to challenge natural laws entirely.

Power is essentially unlimited, but usage is bound by the wielder's capacity and their connection to the Primordial.

Allows reality-defying feats, such as rewinding time, creating dimensions, or crafting essences themselves.

Storing Excess Essences

To manage and store excess essences, mages utilize specialized containers designed for accessibility and portability.

Spellbook

📖 – A tome containing inscribed spells, allowing mages to invoke or memorize magical techniques directly from its enchanted pages.

Spell Cache

🏺 – A secured arcane box designed to store and preserve magical orbs or essences, preventing energy degradation and allowing later retrieval.

Each Spell Cache is equipped with a hoister chain, enabling portability for mages who need quick access to their stored essences.

Essence Slotting & Bonding

Bonding Period:

When an essence is slotted, it undergoes a bonding phase, during which spells are less efficient and consume significantly more mana.

Cooldown Mechanics:

The rarer and more powerful an essence is, the longer the bonding period, requiring careful strategic use.

Swapping Drawbacks:

Constantly swapping essences is highly inefficient, as it leads to mana instability and reduced potency, making it an impractical combat strategy.

Due to these limitations, mages must carefully plan their essence loadout rather than rely on frequent swapping.

Storing Mana

Arcanite Harnesser

The Arcanite Harnesser is a versatile and powerful mana-infused gemstone that comes in various types and colors, each attuned to different magical properties. It serves as both a mana reservoir and an energy source for arcane technology.

Primary Functions:

Mana Reservoir:

Mages can

store and draw mana

from the Arcanite Harnesser to enhance or sustain their spellcasting, reducing personal mana exhaustion.

Arcane Fuel:

The gemstone powers

arcane devices

such as

arc barriers, enchanted constructs, and magical machinery

, making it essential for both combat and infrastructure.

These gemstones are commonly embedded in wands, staffs, armor, and magical conduits, ensuring a steady flow of magical energy. In cities, large-scale Arcanite Harnessers are used to sustain protective barriers, lighting systems, and transportation networks, forming the backbone of arcane civilization.

Inspection System

To identify and classify a mage's slots and essences, an Inspection Ritual is performed.

Mechanism:

Both the inspector and the inspected must agree to the process by saying the ancient Greek word

"Epopteia"

(meaning "inspection" or "observation").

The essence slots and their classification are revealed in a

spectral display

, visible only to those participating in the ritual.

The results reveal:

Number of slots.

Type of essence (fire, water, healing, etc.).

Tier of the essence (Lesser, Greater, etc.).

Limitations:

Requires mutual consent.

The process is mentally taxing for the inspector, especially when inspecting

Greater or Primordial Essences

.

Stronger mages can

obscure or block

inspection unless they willingly submit.

Essence Creation, Enhancement, and Leveling

Mages can create, enhance, and level up their essences through two primary factors: Understanding and Creativity.

Understanding

Fire/ice manipulation requires knowledge of

thermodynamics

.

Air manipulation demands an understanding of

aerodynamics

.

Healing or vine magic needs familiarity with

physiology and meditation techniques

.

The mage must deeply comprehend the

natural laws

governing their essence.

Examples:

Without a solid grasp of these principles, the spell's

potency, accuracy, and efficiency

remain limited.

Creativity

A fire mage picturing a

swirling inferno

or controlled embers for a targeted burn.

An aeromancer imagining a

precise airflow

to lift an object or disrupt an enemy's movement.

A healer visualizing

tissue repair or toxin removal

while channeling restorative energy.

Examples:

Imagination fuels the unique applications and manifestations of an essence.

A mage must visualize the

intent and effect

of their spell, crafting it with precision in their mind.

The Synergy of Understanding and Creativity

Understanding

grounds the mage in reality, ensuring their spell adheres to the

laws of nature

.

Creativity

expands the possibilities, allowing the mage to

innovate

within those laws.

Mastery arises when these two factors are in harmony:

For instance, a fire mage with an

understanding of plasma physics

could create a controlled firestorm, while one with limited knowledge might only conjure basic flames.

Training and Frequency

Repeated casting and experimentation

strengthen

an essence over time.

Frequency alone does not guarantee progress

without

the mage actively deepening their

knowledge and creativity

.

Essence Leveling

A novice fire mage starts with a simple

fireball

.

Over time, they learn to:

Create a

continuous flame

.

Manipulate fire's

shape and intensity

.

Generate

flame shields

or extinguish fires.

As a mage

practices

, their connection to their essence deepens.

They unlock

new techniques, greater power, and increased efficiency

.

Essence Fusion

Combining

fire and air essences

for

flame tornadoes

.

Blending

water and earth essences

to form

mud traps

.

Advanced mages (

Lunarius +

) can

merge essences

, creating

hybrid abilities

.

Essence Slot System

The

number of essence slots

a mage possesses is fixed

at birth

, influenced by their

lineage, natural talent, and external factors

like

Primordial Essences

.

Slot Limitations:

Slots determine

how many essences

a mage can hold.

Lesser mages may only have

1-3 slots

, while prodigies or individuals with

Primordial Essences

may have more.

Slot Inspection:

The

Inspection Ritual

reveals the available and occupied slots.

Empty slots

can be filled by acquiring new essences through

training, inheritance, or rare rituals

.

Slot Overload:

Attempting to wield

more essences

than the slots allow results in

severe mental and physical strain

, often leading to

death

.

Levels of Mages in the Zodiac Hierarchy

1. Celestius

The most

elite mages

represent their zodiac divisions in the prestigious

Zodiac Council

.

Traits:

Unparalleled

mastery

of their domain, capable of performing feats that

define the laws of magic

.

Title Example:

Celestara of Aries, Celestara of Pisces.

Essence Requirement:

Minimum of

1 Mythic Essence

.

2. Lunarius

Advanced mages who serve as

protectors, strategists, and advisors

within their zodiac division.

Traits:

Exceptional

control

over their zodiac's magic, often called upon for

critical missions

.

Title Example:

Lunaris of Leo, Lunaris of Scorpio.

Essence Requirement:

Minimum of

1 Mythic Essence

.

3. Stellius

Intermediate mages dedicated to refining their magical abilities under the

mentorship

of the Lunarius and Celestius.

Traits:

Proficient and reliable, they are the

backbone

of the Zodiac hierarchy.

Title Example:

Stellana of Gemini, Stellana of Taurus.

Essence Requirement:

Minimum of

1 Epic Essence

.

4. Novitcius

Entry-level mages who are just beginning their journey to

harness

the power of their zodiac sign.

Traits:

Eager learners with budding

magical capabilities

.

Title Example:

Novantra of Cancer, Novantra of Sagittarius.

Essence Requirement:

Minimum of

1 Greater Essence

.

Divisions of Zodiac Magic

Warning: Subject to update/change!

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Each division represents a zodiac sign, focusing on specific magical domains and specialties. The mages within each division are known as arcanists and are led by a Celestius mage, who directly reports to the Zodiac Mage.

1.

Aries Division: Magic of Combat and Courage

Celestius:

Ignius Lux Draconus

Specialty:

Offensive magic, fire manipulation, and physical enhancement spells.

Symbol:

The Ram.

Traits:

Bold, impulsive, and driven by action.

Notable Spells:

Flame Surge, Battle Cry Aura, Blazing Charge.

2. Taurus Division: Magic of Earth and Fortification

Celestius:

TBD

Specialty:

Defensive magic, earth manipulation, and endurance spells.

Symbol:

The Bull.

Traits:

Stubborn, reliable, and steady.

Notable Spells:

Stone Wall Creation, Fortified Resolve, Gaia's Embrace.

3. Gemini Division: Magic of Illusion and Communication

Celestius:

TBD

Specialty:

Illusionary magic, telepathy, and dual-element spells.

Symbol:

The Twins.

Traits:

Adaptable, cunning, and quick-witted.

Notable Spells:

Mirror Veil, Twin Elemental Fusion, Whispering Winds.

4. Cancer Division: Magic of Water and Protection

Celestius:

TBD

Specialty:

Healing magic, water manipulation, and protective wards.

Symbol:

The Crab.

Traits:

Empathetic, nurturing, and loyal.

Notable Spells:

Tidal Shield, Lunar Healing, Ocean's Blessing.

5. Leo Division: Magic of Light and Leadership

Celestius:

TBD

Specialty:

Light-based magic, charisma enhancement, and inspiring auras.

Symbol:

The Lion.

Traits:

Charismatic, proud, and ambitious.

Notable Spells:

Radiant Burst, King's Command, Solar Flare.

6. Virgo Division: Magic of Precision and Purification

Celestius:

Verity Vivere

Specialty:

Magic focused on precision, purification, and restoration.

Symbol:

The Virgin.

Traits:

Analytical, meticulous, and resourceful.

Notable Spells:

Needle Barrage, Cleansing Wave, Alchemical Refinement.

7. Libra Division: Magic of Balance and Justice

Celestius:

TBD

Specialty:

Gravity manipulation, judgment-based spells, and equilibrium magic.

Symbol:

The Scales.

Traits:

Diplomatic, fair, and balanced.

Notable Spells:

Weight of Justice, Balance Shift, Gravitational Bind.

8. Scorpio Division: Magic of Darkness and Secrets

Celestius:

Serene Blair Veyne

Specialty:

Shadow magic, necromancy, and soul magic

Symbol:

The Scorpion.

Traits:

Intense, mysterious, and resourceful.

Notable Spells:

Venomous Touch, Abyssal Cloak, Spirit Chain.

9. Sagittarius Division: Magic of Travel and Precision / Assassination

Celestius:

Jovian Xan Zepharion

Specialty:

Long-range attacks, teleportation, aim-based magic, poison, Arc sword (purple flame), gravity manipulation.

Symbol:

The Archer.

Traits:

Optimistic, adventurous, and curious.

Notable Spells:

Celestial Arrow, Portal Leap, Shooting Star Barrage.

10. Capricorn Division: Magic of Time and Structure

Celestius:

TBD

Specialty:

Time manipulation, barriers, and structural magic.

Symbol:

The Goat.

Traits:

Disciplined, patient, and determined.

Notable Spells:

Chrono Lock, Temporal Echo, Stalwart Fortress.

11. Aquarius Division: Magic of Innovation and Air

Celestius:

TBD

Specialty:

Air manipulation, futuristic spells, and tech-magic hybrids.

Symbol:

The Water Bearer.

Traits:

Visionary, independent, and unconventional.

Notable Spells:

Aero Barrier, Spark of Genius, Cyclone Surge.

12.

Pisces Division: Magic of Dreams and Intuition

Celestius:

Elenore Blair Vayne

Specialty:

Dream manipulation, illusion, and water-based spells.

Symbol:

The Fish.

Traits:

Compassionate, imaginative, and mysterious.

Notable Spells:

Dreamweaver's Touch, Tidal Mirage, Ethereal Cascade.

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