Mana is the most basic source of magic in Geoza.  Those who manipulate Mana are variously known as Mystics, Warlocks, Witches, or simply Magicians.  Those who specialize in the creation and enchantment of material items are known as Enchanters or Enchantresses, Magesmiths, or Artificers.  The use of Mana is often called simply "magic" by the general public, but is more specifically known as "Mana" or "Essence" by students of the arcane.

{An example of using Mana in a game situation can be found here.}

Mana is the most common source of magic in Geoza, but even so few possess the ability to use it directly.  Only those who can sense the manifestations of Mana through reality can then draw upon those manifestations to achieve the effects they want.  Even for those who possess the talent to sense Mana, and the training to exploit that ability, Shaping Mana is a strenuous and difficult task.  Mana is a dynamic force, which is not easily subjected to the will of the Adept.  Unless an Adept devotes effort to selecting the right aspect of Mana to use (see Aspects, below), the results of shaping mana to gain that effect will be unpredictable in potency.  The potency of a Mana effect can vary as much as 80% more or less than what is expected.  It is possible for an Adept, who merely wishes to start a campfire with a spark of mystic flame, to unintentionally roast himself and his comrades.  Such an incident would be rare and unusual, but it does illustrate the risks and difficulties associated with the manipulation of the Mana Origin.
The unpredictability of Mana can be reduced, however, by taking care which aspects of Mana are used in a given effect.  Using Mana of an aspect or aspects appropriate to the effect can greatly reduce or even eliminate the risk of potency variation.
Mana comes in different Aspects ("varieties," if you will).  The most common Aspects represent the elemental principles of reality:  Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Spirit.  There are other more rare and esoteric Aspects, but the five elemental Aspects are the ones most Adepts will encounter.
bullet.gif (892 bytes) Earth Mana expresses the principles of solidity, patience, and consistency.  It is best utilized in  the creation of inanimate objects, or to "solidify" a less substantial effect.  The creation of a hammer, for example (Creation/Matter), would be best performed using primarily Earth Mana.
bullet.gif (892 bytes) Water Mana expresses the principles of fluidity, change, and darkness.  It is best utilized in effects such as transformation or divination.  Changing a wooden stick into an iron dagger, for example (Transformation/Matter), would be more easily accomplished using a significant quantity of Water Mana; the inclusion of Earth Mana in this particular effect would also help.
bullet.gif (892 bytes) Air Mana (also known in some circles as Wind Mana) expresses the principles of ephemerality, movement, and force.  It is best used in effects such as conjuration or manipulation.  Lifting a man into the air, for example (Manipulation/Organic), would be best performed using Air Mana.
bullet.gif (892 bytes) Fire Mana (also known as Light Mana by some) expresses the principles of light, energy, heat, and destruction.  It is best used in effects which require energy or destruction.  Creating a magical "light" would be most easily accomplished using Fire Mana, for example.
bullet.gif (892 bytes) Spirit Mana expresses the principles of life, spirit, and sentience.  Spirit Mana is rarely encountered in a "free" state in the material world.  It is most commonly gathered in the spiritual realms, or in areas where the spiritual and material realms interact strongly.   Spirit Mana is best used for mental or illusory effects, or to aid in healing effects.  The inclusion of Spirit Mana in a healing effect, for example, would greatly aid the patient.
Each adept who possesses the Manasense Background Aspect should choose one Mana Aspect as their primary aspect.  Mana adepts may reduce the difficulty of any sensing or gathering trial by one if their primary Mana Aspect is affected.  This advantage only applies if they are using aspected Mana of their primary aspect.  
Note that it is possible to use any variety of Mana for any effect.  Using inappropriate Mana does nothing to reduce the unpredictable nature of Mana, however.

Perceptions of Mana

Because Mana use depends on the ability to sense Mana, how Mana is perceived by the Mystic significantly influences the Mystic's use of Mana.  
Manasense is an unusual ability, and thus the ability to perceive Mana is almost always linked to one or more of the "normal" senses of the Mystic.  Among humans, the most frequent sense analogues experienced are sight, hearing, or touch.  Hssuga, in contrast, almost always sense Mana as an analogue of smell and/or taste, along with touch.
The primary sense(s) used influences the manner in which the Mystic conceptualizes detecting and shaping Mana.  Among those who "see" Mana, common ways of thinking about Mana are "weaving" or "pruning" the Mana into the desired effect.  Those who "feel" the Mana often say they "sculpt" the Mana, although some seem to "dance" the Mana into the desired effect, somehow linking the movements of their body to the shaping of the Mana.  At least one tradition of Mystics "hears" Mana, and "sings" or "chants" the Mana into form.
Hssuga, who "smell" or "taste" Mana, seem to use a kind of scent-mimicking process to shape Mana into effects, although dance-like movements may also be used.  The smell of Hssuga Manashaping is familiar, although not welcome, to many opponents.
The way in which a Persona experiences Manasense should be described, along with any particular individual quirks that Persona might have regarding Mana.