Mana and Artifice Mod Wiki

Mana and Artifice (MnA) is a comprehensive magic mod that reimagines the experience of becoming a powerful wizard. Created by Mithion, the developer of the original Ars Magica 2, it focuses on a tiered progression system where players learn to weave mana, perform complex rituals, and craft custom spells. Unlike many magic mods that rely on pre-defined items, MnA allows players to build their own magical path through four distinct factions, modular golem-like constructs, and a unique manaweaving mechanic that requires drawing shapes in the air.

To begin your journey into the arcane, you must first locate Vinteum Ore, a blue-flecked mineral found deep underground. Smelting this ore yields Vinteum Dust, the fundamental component of most magical items.

The Codex Arcana

The Codex Arcana is your primary guide. It is a living book that unlocks new chapters as you progress through the mod's tiers. To obtain it, you must find a Wizard Villager in a magical structure or craft it by combining a Book with Vinteum Dust. It provides detailed instructions on every mechanic, from basic manaweaving to advanced rituals.

The Occulus

The Occulus is a specialized block used to track your progression and unlock new magical abilities. By interacting with the Occulus, you can view the requirements for your next Tier and spend experience points to unlock new spell shapes, components, and modifiers.

Mana and Burnout

Every spell cast consumes Mana, which regenerates over time. However, casting spells too rapidly increases your Burnout. High burnout levels slow down mana regeneration and can eventually prevent you from casting spells entirely until it dissipates.

Progression Tiers

MnA uses a Tier system (1 through 5) to gate content. Each tier represents a level of mastery:

• Tier 1: Basic manaweaving and simple cantrips.
• Tier 2: Spell creation via the Inscription Table and Ritual of Arcana.
• Tier 3: Faction selection and advanced mana manipulation.
• Tier 4: High-level rituals and complex automation.
• Tier 5: Master-level artifacts and infinite flight.

Residual Magic

Using magic in a specific area leaves behind Residual Magic. This invisible energy accumulates as you cast spells, perform rituals, or use manaweaving. High levels of residual magic can trigger Faction Wars, causing hostile faction mobs to spawn and battle in the area.

Upon reaching Tier 3, you must choose one of four factions. Joining a faction grants unique spells and artifacts but makes members of opposing factions hostile toward you.

Council of Wizards

Focuses on traditional wizardry, mana efficiency, and defense. Allies include Spellbreakers and Witch Hunters.

• Key Artifact: Arcane Crown (increases max mana and clears debuffs).
• Unique Spell: Mana Shield (converts incoming damage into mana loss).

The Fey

Focuses on nature, trickery, and mobility. Allies include Mushroom Soldiers and Pixies.

• Key Artifact: Spectral Elytra (mana-fueled infinite flight).
• Unique Spell: Greater Invisibility (hides armor and held items).

The Demons

Focuses on fire, destruction, and the Nether. Allies include Imps and Lantern Wraiths.

• Key Artifact: Hellfire Staff (buffs fire spells and turns flames green).
• Unique Spell: Nethergate (creates a temporary portal to the Nether).

The Undead

Replaces the mana system with Souls. Souls do not regenerate passively; you must kill mobs to harvest them. Undead players burn in sunlight unless wearing a helmet.

• Key Artifact: Horn of the Grave (summons undead allies).
• Unique Spell: Possession (allows you to control the movement of a target mob).

Spells in MnA are modular, consisting of a Shape (how the spell is cast), one or more Components (what the spell does), and Modifiers (how the spell is adjusted).

Creating a Spell

1. Inscription Table: Use Arcanist Ink and Vellum to design a spell recipe. You select the shape (e.g., Projectile), the component (e.g., Fire Damage), and modifiers (e.g., Damage Boost).
2. Ritual of Arcana: Once you have a recipe, you must perform the Ritual of Arcana. This involves placing the recipe and required reagents (like Arcane Ash or specific gems) in a ritual circle and activating it with Purified Vinteum Dust.

Spell Parts Examples

Manaweaving is the act of drawing magical patterns in the air using a Manaweaver's Wand. These patterns can be used to cast Cantrips (minor spells) or to provide power to rituals.

• Transmute: A square pattern that converts blocks (e.g., Copper into Quicksilver).
• Gust: A spiral pattern that pushes away nearby mobs and clears grass.
• Manaweaving Altar: A block used to craft advanced magical items by placing reagents and drawing specific patterns above it.

Rituals are powerful, long-form magical processes performed on the ground using Wizard's Chalk.

Ritual Setup

1. Chalk Patterns: Draw the required pattern on a flat surface.
2. Reagents: Place the necessary items on the chalk runes.
3. Activation: Right-click the center with Purified Vinteum Dust.
4. Manaweaving: Some rituals require you to draw specific patterns in the air during the casting process to complete the effect.

Notable Rituals

• Ritual of Aurora: Changes the time of day to morning.
• Ritual of the Wandering Wizard: Summons a trader who sells rare magical goods.
• Ritual of the Earthen Steppes: Levels a large area of terrain down to a specified height.

MnA adds several magical entities that inhabit the world, many of which are tied to the faction system.

Constructs are modular, automatable golems that can perform tasks like farming, sorting, and defending. They are built at a Magician's Workbench using five parts: Head, Torso, Legs, Left Arm, and Right Arm.

Modular Parts

• Materials: Parts can be made of Wood, Stone, Iron, Gold, Diamond, or Obsidian. Obsidian constructs are fireproof, while Diamond ones have the highest durability.
• Arms: Can be equipped with Grabbers (for items), Blades (for combat), or Tools (for harvesting).
• Intelligence: Higher-tier heads allow for more complex logic and task filtering.

Automation

Using a Lodestar, you can assign tasks to your constructs. By linking a construct to a Lodestar with a Bell of Bidding, you can create complex automated factories without the need for pipes or wires.

The mod introduces several functional blocks to aid in your magical studies.

• Magician's Workbench: Features two crafting grids and internal storage. It can "remember" recipes for quick crafting.
• Runeforge: A magical furnace that requires no fuel. It is used to smelt magical ores and create Arcane Ash.
• Inscription Table: The primary interface for designing custom spells.
• Mana Reservoir: Stores mana that can be used by nearby Manaweave Projectors to automate manaweaving patterns.
• Runic Anvil: Used for Runesmithing, allowing players to hammer out magical runes for enchanting and ritual use.

MnA enhances the world with new resources and structures:

• Ores: Vinteum (Tier 1), Chimerite (Tier 2), Sunstone (Tier 3/Nether), and Moonstone (Tier 3/End).
• Flowers: Aum and Cerublossom, which are essential for crafting magical compounds.
• Structures: Wizard Towers, Desert Tombs, and Fey Circles can be found throughout the world, often containing rare loot and faction-specific NPCs.
• Villages: New village houses for Manaweavers and Runesmiths provide trading opportunities for magical supplies.