For the purposes of length, the Mana Crystal System has been split into several parts. Each has a seperate page, to make it easier to read ;)

This new system of magic relies not on the summoning of magical power from within, or from another plane, or from the living beings surrounding oneself, but instead from special crystals, magically formed deep in the earth in a time when magic was part of everyone, and everything.

A mage using this system memorises his spells normally, based on the number of spells memoriseable per spell level, and his maximum mana (with bonus mana from his intelligence). When casting a spell, however, a mage must first form a connection with a mana crystal, and summon the inherent energies from within to shape his magic. To do this, a mage must first have a bonded crystal, described in one of the spells contained later within this document. Then, he must spend two segments summoning the power from within the crystal.

Spells cast by a crystalline mage do not disappear from their memory. They may be cast with higher effects, and these mages may learn, and cast, spells higher than normal for their level. Note that a mage using mana crystals can use an unlimited number of mana per day, providing he draws this from crystals. Thus, technically, it is possible for a third level mage to go through 100 mana worth of spells within a few moments, but he is going to limit himself very badly if he wastes them that easily.

The only time a crystalline mage need not use a mana crystal to cast a spell is if that spell comes from the universal school of magic, excepting teleport spells, or bestow curse. These spells are memorised in the normal way, ie counting towards the mages mana/number of spells per level. Mana available for these spells is based upon what the mage memorised. It is calculated by adding the lowest costing spell (which could not possibly be lower than four mana), times two, plus the highest costing spell (of the universal sphere). Ie a mage who has memorised a level one read magic, and a third level dispel magic, receives 18 mana (4x2+10) for that day, to cast these spells. This is not to say the mage could not cast a second level comprehend languages, or three first level read magic's, but this is the ammount of mana he receives for that day.

Crystal mages need no components, unless they are incredibly rare in origin (ie dragon scales etc). The one thing they must do, however, is read from their spellbooks for the highest two levels of spells naturally castable. Example: a 5th level mage must read from his spellbook while casting in order to exercise a second, or third level spell. He may, however, cast a level one spell without his book. Reading from the book gives no penalty to initiative, nor does it foul up any somatic components, as they are disregarded in this. Note that the mana crystal, in these instances, may briefly be left untouched, while necessary material components are readied, or if the spell requires some other sort of hand-use (ie drawing a line in asnd, touching an opponent etc).

Pulling out the small book in his belt pouch, Atho quickly flipped through the pages. Coming to the spell he needed, he held the book with his left hand, thumb holding the page in place, and reached into his pocket. Withdrawing the mana crystal, he felt the power course through his body, as he looked up the magical script and intoned the words that would incinerate his foe

Mana crystals come in all sizes, from about 2 inches long, to the size of a clenched fist. The smallest of these contain only 25 mana at a minimum, while the largest can contain up to 500 mana. Regardless of its current mana, a mana crystal may never be recharged, or altered in any way. Any attempts to transmute it to another form shatter it instantly, as do most attempts to contain the crystal within another item. The usualy extent is tying rope or string around it, or making a smal clasp that closes around the crystal. In any case, only the barest minimum of any substance may cover a substance for it to work.

The shape of mana crystalsis usually something akin to a crystal shard, large at the top, tapering to a point at the bottom. Some appear incredibly rough, while others assume a very worked form. In all cases, however, they keep this basic shape. They are usually about a half to one quarter the size across that they are in length. It is rumoured that incredibly skilled dwarven jewellers may actually reshape a mana stone slightly, although it is said to loose about 10% of its current mana during this time.

Mana crystals give of a faint, blue glow while containing mana. When they are exhausted they change to a dull, dark blue. In their charged state they can be as expensive as those who would wish to sell them, but when dormant are as common as most other gems (though they are typically of high quality).

When a mage exercises the mana within a given crystal it glows briefly with a sharp, blue light, usually making the users prescence known to those closeby. A mana crystal may not be used hidden in someones shirt or pockets, but must instead be held, or touched, by a hand in the open. Thus a mage could be bare-chested, and have the stone dangling from his neck, or wear it on the back of his wrist and lightly touch it with his other hand while casting, but could not stick his hand in his backpack to a hidden crystal.

Mana received through a crystal must be used immediately, or it dissipates. It is such powerful energy that a human being cannot carry it within themselves for long, and they must release it if not used. When casting a 9th level spell, or any modification to a spell that pushes it over 100 mana, a mage must make a saving throw vs death magic or take 2 damage per spell level, including extras placed within. Ie, a 18th level mage casts a level 9 spell, but draws sufficient mana to cast it as if he were level 20. Failing his saving throw, he takes 22 points of damaeg ((9+2)*2). A successful savnig throw negates any damage.

Similarly, any mage drawing over 75 mana, and then not casting a spell (ie he is interrupted during casting, or drawing of mana), must make this saving throw also, or take the same damage. Thus, the high powerful magics always contain a risk of damaging their user, while even some of the moderately powerful ones can wreak havok when overcharged, or when the magi drawing the mana through himself is interrupted.

The mana within mana crystals is tracked by the DM, and he may give a mage a hint at the rough idea (half, lots, none, etc) of the capacity of a gem. Close to its "death" (ie when the mana is at about 10% or 5% of its starting capacity), the crystal may flicker like a weak flame in the wind, and when full it may glow rather strongly.

Mana crystals can be purchased in some areas. A smaller crystal fetches around a 1,500 gp price, while a medium gem receives around a 7,500 gp tag. The third largest size costs around 15,000, while the huge gems cost anywhere around the 30,000 gp area.

Here are several spells designed to be used specifically along with the crystal magic system.

This spell is used to detect local mana crystals, which may be buried, in chests, or any similar place. The spell is only blocked by 1 foot of lead, or a half an inch of adamantium. The spell detects only the prescence of the crystals, unless they are within ten feet of the caster, and only then rough size (ie big or small), and rough quantity (lots or not many).

This spell creates a special bond with a mana crystal, allowing the mage to pull mana from it to cast spells by the above rules. One mage may only be bonded to one crystal at any time, and this spell must be cast before the crystal can be used. Furthermore, this spell may only be cast by any mage once in every week (ie he cannot cast it again until a week has passed), as the bond is difficult to create. There is, however, no saving throw or any check to form the bond.

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