Fortune A mechanic representing luck in survival, replacing archaic hit points. Characters draw from Mana (living beings) or Quintessence (constructs/undead) to mitigate damage or avoid critical failures. Necromancers manipulate both.

Mana A renewable life force tied to all living beings, replenished during rest. Serves as the baseline energy for basic magical abilities and survival. Cannot be extracted or stored directly—its flow is tied to the natural rhythm of life.

Quintessence A concentrated, volatile form of mana harvested from life forms through invasive or violent means (e.g., vampires draining the Vishuddha chakra, illithids targeting the Sahasrara chakra). Used by mages requiring greater power than natural mana provides. Sustainable harvesting is rare; most methods are exploitative or monstrous.

Energon The synthetic or stored energy source powering constructs. Unlike mana or quintessence, it is not derived from life force but from mechanical, magical, or alchemical means. Provides stable, long-term power for artificial beings, though its creation often involves complex rituals or dangerous experimentation.

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Esoterica: These resources define the balance between life, magic, and creation in the game’s world. Mana is the foundation, quintessence the dangerous shortcut, and energon the artificial alternative.