Description
ACCESSSING FILE: D-02
Intel Database: Alphahumans - Mana Artifacts
Written by Noelle Gunstone,
UNTD Lab 2 Chief Scientist
As with with any historical culture, each EXA community/species brings along with them their own flavor of magical artifacts. A lot of these have become the stuff legends, and have shaped the course of humanity over the eons. Of the ones recovered by UNITE, many of these have properties which are useful as weapons, or in a supportive/defensive role. However, one thing they all have in common is their correlation to the mystical substance called mana.
If the subject of mana, its origins, and its correlation to human biology confuses you, then I suggest you read up my previous report before going any further. For now we will be going over the three categories of mana-based items in existence.
Mana Capacitors
An object that functions as a mana capacitor is capable of holding mana within itself. While the amount may vary depending on the object, what is common amongst these artifacts is that an individual can tap into the mana within them to restore any depleted mana from within their body. A mana capacitor can continuously restore the mana of its user until the object itself runs out of mana. In this case, it is rendered useless until more mana can be channeled back into it.
Mana capacitors can be found in nature or crafted. Some mineral ores contain sufficient amounts of mana which can be tapped into, while certain types of fruits and plants can restore mana when consumed. In fact many EXA have bodies and organs which are filled with mana as a result of consuming said flora, and can serve as an alternate source of mana when consumed. Of course, I wouldn't recommend chowing down on any random extradimenisional plant, let alone creature without proper consultation.
Creating a mana capacitor on the other hand is often down to alchemy. With the right ingredients and incantations, any object can be turned into a capacitor. On some rare occasions, a mana capacitor is also capable of self restoring its own mana (albeit slowly), providing an almost limitless amount of it. Such artifacts, however, are few and far in-between.
Examples of mana capacitors include artificially induced items, ores/minerals, fruits/herbs, and food and drink derived from certain EXA plants/animals; just to name a few.
Mana Amplifiers
A mana amplifier is an item which, as its name implies, amplifies a person's existing magical power. Some factors which determine the level of amplification are size, material composition, and culture from which it was forged. The type of form they take is irrelevant as just about anything can be turned into a mana amplifier. There was a report of a crazed Alphahuman who was able to turn his hat stand into an amplifier. But for the most part, they are usually crafted into weapons.
Over the course of history there have been stories and legends of relics like these. It is possible that some weapons such as Excalibur, Mjolnir, and the Muramasa blade were mana amplifiers which gave their users powers beyond their wildest imagination. However due to their rarity, it is extremely hard to study them. In some cases, secret organisations such as the Frontier, and the rumored Ordo Magus will hand out such items to their members.
It is impossible to state every kind of mana amplifier in existence, but as mentioned earlier, the most archetypical forms they take are wands, staves, swords, and books, just to name a few.
Mana Limiters
Planning to capture a magical girl without forcibly harming her? How about keeping a fairy without the added magical mischief they bring? That is where a mana limiter comes in. Slap on one of these bad boys onto an EXA of your choosing, and watch as your magic induced problems fade away.
A mana limiter basically restricts the magical properties of a target that is near, or in close contact with it. Depending on its type, one of two effects may occur when an EXA comes in contact with such an object.
- The target's mana slowly starts draining away rapidly. These 'leech' type limiters are capable of completely stripping a target of their mana over a period of time; rendering them completely helpless. Should the limiter be removed, or the subject escape out of it's effect radius, they will still need to restore their lost mana before being able to retaliate, making it useful for long term suppression.
- The target is unable to activate or cast any spells. These 'nullifier' type limiters prevent any kind of mana derived powers from being used as long as it is nearby or in contact with the target. The effects of this type of limiter are instantaneous. However unlike a leech-type limiter, the target will be back to full power and mana capacity once out of its effective range.
There have been many instances of humans using such artifacts as means of warding off, killing, or even sealing mythical creatures. While the true effectiveness of these items are debatable, some are shown to display effects mentioned above when used on certain EXA. No doubt such items would be valuable for UNITE. But as with mana amplifiers, they are impossible to craft without the appropriate knowledge and magical arts.
Examples of mana limiters include certain charms, talismans, and rosaries/crucifixes; just to name a few. Just like mana capacitors, mana limiters also exist in nature but are much rarer.
Conclusion
Without proper experience and training, telling apart these mana-based items is not as easy a feat as these objects are often times as complex as the EXA they are derived from. Understanding how they are made is a vital aspect of research, as any one of these objects may be the key to understanding and defeating the current Shadow Beast threat. As such, I recommend that all UNITE personnel prioritize their recovery during operations above EXA capture whenever possible.
- End of Report -
RETURN TO DATA HUB
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Another week, another lore entry done! The artwork above features Sony Neu with the remastered Shadow Stone, now officially referred to as the Astral Shard! More to come, so stay tuned!
[EDIT] Oh yes, credit for the Alphahuman terminology goes to Ironshadows !
Sony Neu, In the Neu House (c) BRSstarJV