Magic

Magic is the manipulation of mana via spells, which can be cast by hand by a mage, or written (also by a mage) onto a scroll that can be cast by anyone with enough essence. The essence and scroll can be combined in water to create a potion.

Mana
Mana is the energy absorbed into the aura, and used for spells. Most places have mana flowing through them, which is called background mana. When too much is absorbed, the area can become low-mana, which is dangerous.

Essence
Essence is a solid, visible form of mana that can be absorbed by a mage or a scroll. Essence is diluted and cut into coins to make tokens.

Physical
Physical magic converts mana into physical force, it is distinct from muscle mass. Physical allows one to deal extra damage with weapons and unarmed, and makes armor more effective. It is the most efficient use of mana, and has the most potential to deal damage, but is difficult to master.

Dark
Dark magic is that which reduces health and kills. It is significantly more powerful than light magic, and requires less training.

Dark magic is strengthened by negative emotions, and also causes them. Apprentices of dark magic should learn early to be calm and free of emotion while casting, or they may become insane, murderous, and suicidal.

Light
Magic that restores health, or has no effect on health.

Light magic is strengthened by positive emotions, and also causes them. However, it also causes weakness, which can result in sleep and death. Like dark magic, a user of light magic should be calm and free of emotion, not being attached to the ones they are healing.

Liminal
The manipulation of lifeforce. Although health can change, the amount of lifeforce stays the same, but instantly becomes zero when all health is lost. Only Purple and Black auras can cast it. Liminal magic is mostly associated with resurrection and the Harvest.

Subliminal / Illusion
Although there are spells that can bend light, such as making someone invisible, there are no spells that can bend someone's mind or will.

Holy / Religious
While many animals are religious, and believe in various deities, there is no divine intervention.

Spells
A spell is a manipulation of mana to produce an effect. Spells can be hand-cast, using hand symbols, or scroll-cast, using written symbols. Scroll-casting absorbs mana from the surrounding area, usually from an essence block.

Scrolls
Writing a scroll is a difficult and time-consuming process. Identical scrolls cannot be easily mass-produced, each one involves solving a different equation. Once the equation is solved, the scroll can be written for the cost of the spell. Afterwards, the scroll can be cast, if the right amount of mana is available.

For example, a fireball spell requires 128 points of mana. To create the scroll, a unique equation must be solved, and 128 points of mana are consumed to create the scroll. To cast it, one must either have 128 points of mana available, or 128 tokens of essence. For this reason, scrolls are mainly used for advanced spells that require large amounts of mana.

Potions
A potion is created by dissolving a scroll in a solution, and also dissolving the required amount of essence in the solution. A potion is an all-in-one spell, one only needs to drink it to feel the effects. However, due to requiring essence (unlike scrolls, they cannot use background mana), potions are very expensive.

Casting Spells
A spell is made up of a series of signs. A sign is a hand gesture, such as those in sign language.

There are 24 signs: 12 normal signs (one for every species), and 12 "forbidden" signs. Spells which use the forbidden signs are known as forbidden spells.

Levels of Spells
Spells have 5 levels, based on their number of signs.

Level I - Novice
Novice spells can be cast without training. They are all one symbol. An example of a Novice spell is candle-light.

Level II - Apprentice
Apprentice spells require practice and special instruction to cast. Most animals can learn them from books, without a teacher. They are 2 symbols. An example of an Apprentice spell is telekinesis.

Level III - Standard
Standard spells require individual instruction and months of practice. They are taught in magic schools, but still available in book form for gifted mages to teach themselves. They are 3 symbols long. An example of a standard spell is Healing.

Level IV - Expert
Expert spells require personal study and years of practice. They are only taught in magic schools, and expert books are highly controlled, as expert spells can be very dangerous. They are 4 symbols long. An example of an Expert spell is Change Species.

Level V - Sage
There is very little known about sage spells. Usually, only dragons and highly gifted animals know them. They are the highest level of magic, and can produce lasting effects throughout the world. They cannot be learned from books or magic schools. They are at least 5 symbols long, but can be much longer. An example of a sage spell is Resurrection.

Aura
The aura holds mana and can be used to cast spells. * A wild animal's physical power depends on its species.

** For wild animals, only wild dragons have liminal ability.