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Description
I will admit this entry is a bit out of my field. I am the one that does the flora and fauna stuff, not so much in the magic thing. That isn’t to say I won’t study magical beasts, as I already have and most likely will in the future. Despite their fantastical properties or powers, they are still very much animals at the end of the day. Where it starts feeling like I stepped into someone else’s garden is when you shed the flesh and flower, and you find yourself dealing with an entity that barely inhabits the physical realm. There are no bones to study, no footprints to track, no scat to determine its previous meals. Trying to wrap my head around such beings would be like me trying to write an entry on fire or lightning. Not exactly an easy feat.
With that, I imagine people are thinking “well if it isn’t your field of study, Chlora, then why are you writing about it?” A legitimate question! However, the best answer I can give you is: because I want to. Because I have been thinking about them for quite some time and would be lying if I said they didn’t fascinate me in the slightest. Just because they aren’t my usual specimens doesn’t mean I can’t wonder about them or be interested in their existence. And to be fair, many people have indeed asked my opinions on them. Because while I say they aren’t animals or beasts of this realm, their name tends to lead others to this idea. The entity (or maybe “phenomenon” is a more fitting word) I am referring to is the mana-maw. A name like that often brings to mind a magical beast, like a fantastical wolf or a mana-belching crocodile. I would say it even hints at a physical mouth, which doesn’t exist on the real deal. So I believe this is why people think it is something I know about, because a mana-maw is just another creature in this world and I am the absolute master in this field (or at least I like to think so). But the mana-maws are not of this natural world, or at least not in the food chain and ecosystems sense. They are indeed magical through and through, but once I learned about them I couldn’t let it go. It is truly a fascinating thing to think about, and I couldn’t help but talk with others to find out more. So I would say this is less of a professional entry and more of an enthused gushing about a subject I am not qualified on but very much enjoy.

So with that out of the way, let us properly dissect what a mana-maw is. Like I mentioned before, they are not beings of flesh and blood. They are entities of pure magic, but perhaps in a looser sense then you may imagine. Mages and other practitioners of this art may create their own familiars from magic and other resources, but those tend to have a definite shape. The mana-maw has no recognizable anatomy, no arms, no legs, no head and, technically, no mouth. The best I can describe them is a swirling aura of magic with some kind of impossible hole in its center, where this energy flows and vanishes into. It is like a sphere of darkness at its heart, but that still fails to properly define it. First off, not all of them are circular, as certain individuals have been spotted with variations in their central shape. Also, my description makes it seem like there is something there, yet researchers claim what we see is not a presence but an absence. The hole is nothingness, a spot in our reality that both exists and doesn’t. What we see is merely outlined by the energy it consumes, creating a silhouette of something that isn’t really there. Think of it like a living thunderstorm or hurricane; where there is no physical matter to stop you from walking through them, but you would certainly feel the energy that crackles around you. And before you ask, no it won’t vaporize you. While it is a thing of magic, it is not the type that blows holes in people or reduces towns to glowing sizzling dust. Magic and mana exists in nature as residues, auras and radiance, but this is often so faint and dispersed that most people never notice. It is like how humidity means that there is water in the air, but that doesn’t mean you get wet by just walking outside. At lower levels, you would never notice its presence. A mana-maw is a more concentrated form of this, where magic is pulled in and consumed in such a way that it creates a form. Like the swirling water as it goes down a drain, the “body” of the mana-maw we know is simply the mana and magic that is brought in by this ravenous hole and sustains its existence.

Mana sinks are nothing new to the world, as the mages and wizards of the world have found various ways to suck in the surrounding magic and condense it or consume it. A mana-maw is different because it is no simple spell or summoned familiar, it is an entity of its own that obeys no laws or master. How are they formed? Well, that is something the entire world of magic would like to know. If you happen to figure that out, be sure to go collect your wizardly crown and take your rightful place as “Greatest Mage Ever.” There have certainly been efforts to make one with our own blood, sweat and mana, but these experiments pale in comparison to the real deal. The closest success they have had is to create a hole in reality that sucks in all surrounding magic, but then collapses seconds after it is formed. Who knows how far they will delve down that path, as it may be a bit too costly of a task to undertake. I will point out that the “successes” eat mana and only that. The “failures” tend to devour everything else as well. It will forever be the question of how many “abandoned” towers and archives were actually the result of the owner failing in creating an artificial mana-maw and wound up getting sucked into nothingness.

The best attempts only last seconds, while we have records of specific mana-maws that have spanned decades, even centuries! Really goes to show how much further we have to go! Mana-maws have somehow naturally formed over the years, their population fluctuating as some are “born” and others “die.” Their creation is the opening of some kind of hole, specially tuned towards mana and magic. Like a whirlpool in the ocean, it seeks to sustain its own form by sucking in magic, which somehow keeps this hole open and stable. How much magic they actually need to stay “alive” is debatable, as some can drain entire magic academies dry in minutes, while others have simply sustained themselves on the residual magic that emanates from natural sources. It is even a wonder on how they “die,” as it doesn’t always seem to be from a lack of food. Like I said, some have lasted centuries while others have come and gone in days. There are many with sparse and erratic diets that have survived just fine, while there are records of infamous individuals with hefty sources of mana that have somehow collapsed amongst buffets of food. I think the best way we can think of it is that they are essentially a hole, and sometimes holes get filled up or plugged. It could be from a lack of food, which weakens whatever holds open this yawning void. Perhaps something damages this frame, like an attack from an angry wizard or some force beyond our understanding. Or maybe time finally catches up to this formation and things fall apart from there. Hard to really say, as it seems that their “death” is just as mysterious as their “birth.”

So what we got is a swirling vortex of magic that eats magic. What’s so interesting about that? Well, what is fascinating about it is that despite it being essentially a mana drain, there is some kind of life within them. I will already cut in to say that the kind of “alive” they are doesn’t fully match up with ours, but watching, studying and reading about them certainly shows that there is something within that devouring darkness. Looking over all the records, you will find inconsistencies in behavior, a variety of movement patterns and some actions that can only be described as “dietary preferences.” There are enough differences between recorded individual mana-maws that you cannot simply categorize them as simple phenomenon! Some may drift across the land and happily absorb anything they encounter, while others will actively change course to track down the strongest source of magic. Some have blown over to other continents, while certain individuals have been sitting in the same spot for years (with some of those “spots” being entire towns)! Certain folks have even found ways to bait a mana-maw, steering them either away from important mana-filled places or driving them straight towards an enemy’s hoard of magical goodies. With all this, how can you rightfully say that they aren’t alive? That there isn’t some kind of mind or method to them? There has to be something going on in there, despite them having no brain or noticeable structure to them.

Goodness me! Been writing on so long and we haven’t even gotten to their diet! Goes to show how much I have thought about mana-maws! Anyways, as should be obvious by now, mana-maws consume magic to sustain their forms. The swirling vortex you see is all that magic being pulled into the void, and all the “movements” are the very same energies being manipulated to help the mana-maw travel or reach out towards other food sources. While the very air itself may have very faint traces of magic, surely this is not enough to sustain them forever. They need something more potent, more concentrated. Thus they turn to magical items, spells and even the mages themselves, as all have that energy they crave. As they move across the land, all magic and all things that contain this force are sapped away by its presence. The yawning void at its heart draws these energies from their source and adds them to its own form. It either joins with the other magic swirling around it, or it may be devoured directly, going straight down the chute! Every little bit they eat helps keep their form stable, and large meals can actually help them grow in size and strength. What this means for everyone else, though, is that there is no more magic within the presence of the mana-maw. If the trinket or weapon was simply storing mana, then it is drained dry and useless. For objects and people that naturally generate magic, they will not be able to replenish their stock until they escape the reach of the mana-maw, as every drop they make will instantly be absorbed. Spells cast at the mana-maw will fizzle out on contact, while performing any kind of magic within them is impossible. Magically enchanted scrolls will be worthless paper, sigils nothing more than fancy scribbles and that almighty wand now just a stick. If you want your magic back, you need to get away from the mana-maw so that you can replenish your fuel.

While their mere presence saps away magic, that doesn’t mean they just sit around and wait to run into food. Some mana-maws are more active “hunters,” actually seeking out substantial sources of mana to feed on. How they sense this, we have no real clue as they don’t have organs to perform such duties. Maybe magic simply calls to magic? Best I got on that. But when a mana-maw senses food, their form will alter course and head straight towards it. In some cases, the source may not be big enough to warrant a complete change of direction, so a mana-maw may actually extend a “tendril” from its form to reach out and slurp it up. For certain individuals, they may find a steady enough source in one place that they decide to set up shop there. This can be in zones that are saturated with mana after a magic-heavy battle, or perhaps even a town that actively provides them this nourishment! Some cities have chosen to tend to a great mana-maw that hangs over their settlement, as its presence nullifies all magic. If you don’t like mages and never want to worry about a magical assault, then a mana-maw is your perfect guard dog! The people of these places offer mana to this entity to keep it fat and happy, which in return ensures it sticks around and gobbles up any malicious magic that may try to enter. This is important to remember if you have any magical trinkets on you or protective wards, as these will be drained the second you step inside. Even more important if you are actively using magic to keep yourself alive! This is why most towns (it should be all of them) have warnings outside their gates, telling you of the mana-maws presence. Some ancient wizards have used constant magic to keep their frail hearts beating, and they will drop dead the second they encounter a mana-maw’s hunger. While they are often portrayed as the bane of magic users, some of the magically inclined have found uses for mana-maws. The presence of one ensures that no one has magic, which is good if you want neutral ground to conduct business on. Some of the great meeting places of famed mages are under the protection of a mana-maw, to make sure no one tries anything dirty. For those training to become efficient battle mages, a few classes will take their students to a mana-maw in order to teach them how to fight and defend themselves when fully stripped of their power. And then there is the obvious use of throwing one of these hungry entities at your enemies and gleefully watching their magical defenses get eaten away.

A thought just came to mind as I was writing this part: what were the mana-maws like before the rise in magic? Obviously magic is an ancient thing in this world, but I have to imagine that there have been some considerable peaks and valleys throughout history. Consider now how prevalent magic is across the globe! There surely had to be a time well before us when magic was far scarcer. Did mana-maws exist then? Were they smaller and shorter lived? Or maybe they didn’t exist at all! Perhaps the rise in magic use is what allowed these entities to be created in the first place! A intriguing thing to consider, maybe I should look more into that, or perhaps talk with someone more acquainted in the history of magic and see their thoughts on it. For me it seems like an interesting line of thinking, but perhaps to people well versed in this field I am rambling pure nonsense.

The diet of a mana-maw seems pretty simple, right? They eat magic and any kind of magic will do. Well, that actually might not be always true. You see, delving into records of encountered mana-maws have shown that some of them have developed certain “tastes.” There is a wide variety of magic found all around the world, and even more differences when you boil it down to specific cultures and races. With such an array, you have to imagine a few of these mana-maws would have a favorite! Of course we cannot say for sure if they actually “enjoy” certain magics over others, but you cannot deny when you witness a mana-maw turn away from one source to go after a different elemental magic instead. It could have a taste for fire magic, perhaps enjoying the spiciness! Or maybe lightning has that pop and zip they like! Perhaps some enjoy more basic spells, finding them easier to digest! Who knows! But we have seen that certain entities do consume more elements and types over others, to the point where a few have incorporated them into their own form! It seems a steady intake of specific magics causes it to bleed into their own anatomy, which makes them stand out from others of their kind and also grant them some different properties. Like for example, one that devours large amounts of fire magic will develop a more red and orange glow to them, as if made of flames themselves! People have also said that the presence gives off a bit of warmth, versus the usual faint chill that comes from the mana-maw feeding on the energy of the air itself. It is not just subtle colors changes, though, as some have changed their shape through particular diets. The hole in the middle of them may take on a more swirled look, or in some cases form angular shapes. Even wilder, some have adapted the specific energy into their movement style! One particular mana-maw was found to be fond of lightning and similar electrical magic, to the point where it figured out how to channel its own form into a brilliant bolt! In certain situations, it would shift its form into a blast of lightning to zip across the land at impossible speeds! It made this individual erratic and hard to predict, truly striking with the randomness of lightning! Another mana-maw that consumed a lot of water magic wound up taking on some of those properties. It developed a feeding method of positioning itself on high ground and then releasing its ethereal tendrils like ghostly rivers, which flowed downhill and consumed all energy it washed over. Makes you wonder what other traits they could pick up if they ate some of the weirder magic types!

When it gets mentioned that mana-maws feed on magic and energy, there is always a concern that come up for newcomers to this subject. If they suck up mana, does that mean they can also devour life force or even souls? Surely an energy vampire like them would hunger for any source! Thankfully, this does not appear to be the case. From all I have heard, there are no credible cases of a mana-maw swallowing someone’s soul. There are supposed tales of people perishing inside a mana-maw’s presence, but usually further snooping reveals the real reason behind their death. Like I mentioned before, some magic users rely on their abilities to keep themselves alive after reaching impossible ages or receiving mortal wounds. The second they step inside a mana-maw’s area of influence, that magic is eaten away and whatever it was sustaining is now left to fend for itself. And don’t forget my talk about failed attempts at creating mana-maws, which only lead to short-lived voids that devour everything around them. Folks hear those stories and start attributing them to real mana-maws, thinking they could do the same. Obviously this does not happen, as such a maneuver would kill the entity as well, and why would they do that? In all honesty, my research into the subject hasn’t really found any legitimate records of mana-maws even hurting anyone! While they eat magic and may take on some subtle properties of it, they have never tried to throw that energy back at us as a weapon. In truth, I don’t know if they even pay us mortals any mind! All “interactions” between us and the mana-maws have more focused on the magic that is present then the people wielding it. They only follow our bait trails because the energy that is used to lure them, and they only stand vigil over certain towns because of the constant magic supplied to them. Do they even “see” the people who wield this magic? Are they even aware of the trinkets, scrolls and staffs they drain dry, or are they simply useless vessels that contain the goodies they want?

Even though the mana-maws may not think much about us, what do folk think of them? Well, it all depends on who you ask. For sure, most magic users do not like them, as a passing mana-maw can erase their precious artifacts and scrolls, and their mere presence means they can’t do squat. There is definitely some anger directed at them, but very little actual violence or action. Despite their squabbles and complaints, mages and wizards don’t do much to actually fight off or destroy mana-maws. As I have mentioned before, mana-maws exist outside of our definitions of life and death, so how exactly do you even fight them? You can’t physically interact with them, so leave your swords and bows at home. Their energy state would mean they could only be affected by other power sources, like magic, but I imagine you see where the problem arises in that. You can’t exactly fight fire with fire if said fire eats that kind of stuff. The spells that could possibly harm a mana-maw wind up getting absorbed by them, which makes it like throwing raw chicken at coyotes in hopes of scaring them off.

However, that isn’t to say all magic is useless against them, as there are some rare exceptions. Mana-maws are still made of mana and energy, and these are power sources that fighting mages have been looking to deal with when fighting other magic users. There are spells that can bind or restrict magic, and some have been found to affect mana-maws. As a swirling vortex of energy, these nullifying spells have been shown to temporarily push back the reach of a mana-maw. It is essentially like slapping away a groping arm, which doesn’t sound like much, but that can make quite a difference if this limb can drain away all your power. True, it doesn’t really hurt the mana-maw, it is just a way to avoid their hunger for a few extra moments. Binding circles and ensnaring runes can possibly trap a mana-maw, as these complicated rituals are known for dealing with ethereal entities. Find the right combination of sigils, then arrange them just so and it might be enough to lock the mana-maw down. Just remember, though, that the same rules apply as if you were trying to capture a powerful spirit or being. Everything has to be perfect in order for it to work. If you use the wrong sigils, layer the circles incorrectly or cross where you should have dotted, then the mana-maw will shatter this snare in an instant. Even worse, the ineffective binding magic will be absorbed, so your prisoner winds up getting a free meal out of it!

Another possibility for warding off a mana-maw is exploiting the individual’s unique taste. As we have learned, each mana-maw’s diet is different and their experience with each type of magic varies. While you can use their favorite flavors to lure them, it also matters what the mana-maw hasn’t eaten. Each type of magic has its own special kind of energy to it, which subtly changes how it is absorbed by the mana-maw. Think of it like how different foods can call for different utensils! When they first encounter a new mana source, it takes them a moment to figure out its properties and how it should be eaten. Just like the example utensils, as they eat more and more of it, they get used to the whole process and can do it in an instant. If you know what magic a mana-maw has never encountered, then you can briefly use this foreign energy source against them. One who has eaten nothing but beef will be quite puzzled when you throw a hard-shelled crab at them, especially if you literally throw it at them. Blasting them with this new magic can push them back or allow its effects to temporarily take hold of it. Just remember, though, that the mana-maw is still a hole that devours all energy. Even as it fumbles against this strange force, eventually their draining void will grab hold and it will be feeding time again. This strategy is one that works for a short period of time and also works only once per unique magic type. Also if you screw up and use spells it has dealt with before, you are once again just throwing food into its gullet.

So obviously there is history between mana-maws and magic users, but what about everyone else? What do these entities mean to those who have nothing to do with magic? Well, as long as the people don’t rely on any external magic and mana-fueled things in their day-to-day lives, then they hardly care about mana-maws. The entities do not cause any physical damage whenever they pass through, and the worst they do to a common villager is make the area a little chilly. To these folk, mana-maws are more like weather events, something that will come and go while life continues on. Since all magic users keep a close eye on mana-maw movement, then that means most places actually get pretty good forecasts on these entities! Some of these mana-maws are so regular and well known that locals will actually give them nicknames. You get people seeing that it has been six months, so it is about time for “Big Ben” to pass through. Or if you go too far into the valley, you will stumble into “ol’ Snappercracker,” so be wary about carrying magical trinkets.

To some commoners, they cheer the existence of mana-maws because they are a well known thorn for magic users. To them, mages are high and mighty know-it-alls who deserve to be knocked down a couple of pegs. Those blowhards who think they’re better than everyone else because they were born with an attunement to magic. And then their rich family line got them into the best mage academy, who would never allow a filthy peasant join their esteemed club. So if these snobs get wrecked by some hungry piece of void, then that entity is a friend indeed! It is for this reason you get some towns that harbor a local mana-maw, keeping them around so mages have no power when they are within their walls. I must say there is something amusing about this whole situation. You have these ethereal holes in reality that devour magic and are able to drain the mightiest mages in seconds, and it turns out most people aren’t all that bothered by them. Reminds me of how one time I went to investigate a passing mana-maw and found a bunch of the local children trying to throw rocks into the nothingness. There was no danger to the kids or the mana-maw, as those stones just phased through it as if it wasn’t there. Those voids don’t consume physical matter, even though they look like tears in reality. Didn’t stop me from lobbing a stone or two myself! Sorry, but I couldn’t resist giving it a try!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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This here is a collaboration I did with darksack100 on a species/living anomaly we brainstormed together known as the mana-maws. He was the one who first came up with the idea of an ethereal mana-eater, and further discussion/theorizing resulted in a whole lot of background for these mysterious entities. With so much fleshed out, we decided to put something together for it. darksack100 (be sure to check out their other stuff too!) did the visuals for this entry, while I did the description for it (or rather Chlora did).

He also did descriptions for the different forms you see above, which I wanted to add since it further fleshes out the varieties of mana-maws available. Hope you enjoy!

1. The Unaligned Mana-Maw: An unaligned type of Mana-Maw with a well-rounded diet of all kinds of magic. It has no overt and lasting preferences for elemental types and will simply take whatever is available. While unaligned types can have a variety of shapes and sizes, they usually maintain a blue, purple, or grayscale color scheme. This particular specimen is exceptionally large sessile. It does not chase down new food sources, but any within its territory will find their magic swiftly drained and few - if any - spells exist this maw cannot recognize and absorb. Exceptionally challenging even to bind or contain via ritual, as it will tug at even the faintest hint of magic and pull it in voraciously, breaking any complex but unfinished setup one may wish to utilize. Does not emit any sound.

2. The Electric Mana-Maw: A virile, unpredictable mana-maw that can move quicker than the eye on a whim. It is extremely sensitive to changes in the mana-content of the environment around it, but not vulnerable to them. It jumps from place to place as old environments become dissatisfactory and new ones present themselves, though its criteria for judgement - if they even remain static - are anyone's guess. Despite utilizing (or appearing to utilize) the medium of lightning, this mana-maw is not dangerous to people and will at most electrify the air and unsettle the nerves - particularly if it's just hopped directly in front of you. Ol' Snappercracker is a famous example of this variety and has been known to display animal-adjacent behaviors, including keeping a "territory" and occasionally being very aggressive in its pursuit of choice meals. Emits an assortment of crackles, pops, and buzzes.

3. The Psuedo-Fire Mana-Maw: A mana-maw that's been treated to a bit more heat-magic than is normal. While it has no overtly fire-centric aesthetics, its spiraling movement is evocative of a hungry and infernal force, as is the subtle heat it radiates. While not particularly fast, it is almost always on the move and has been known to trail some of its choice meals doggedly over many days and nights. The sensation of having one's magic removed by this entity is no more harmful than any of the others, but is often described as more uncomfortable, as if it's being removed a bit more forcefully or in an awkward way. Emits a sinister-sounding howl, like one would associate with the void.

4. The Arcane Mana-Maw: This relatively small mana-maw has an air of sophistication about it. There seems something almost deliberate and perhaps even learned about it, though it may simply be the elegance of its frame and the way in which it levitates about. After a long diet of complex and arcane types of magic, this mana-maw has developed a preference for places and objects with layered and synergistic uses of mana. As it ponderously levitates towards them, it slowly breaks them down into tinier and tinier fragments before incorporating them into its frame and feeding them to the hole only after they become as simplified as they can possibly be made to be. A mana-maw like this would be vulnerable to sudden blasts of other magic types, as it does less "violent sucking" of magic and more careful disassembly of it. Such a being may be considered beautiful and kept by a village or even very eccentric wizard containing it in a sealed environment and feeding it as one would a terrarium pet. Emits a gentle hum like the aftermath of a ringing bell.

Description
I will admit this entry is a bit out of my field. I am the one that does the flora and fauna stuff, not so much in the magic thing. That isn’t to say I won’t study magical beasts, as I already have and most likely will in the future. Despite their fantastical properties or powers, they are still very much animals at the end of the day. Where it starts feeling like I stepped into someone else’s garden is when you shed the flesh and flower, and you find yourself dealing with an entity that barely inhabits the physical realm. There are no bones to study, no footprints to track, no scat to determine its previous meals. Trying to wrap my head around such beings would be like me trying to write an entry on fire or lightning. Not exactly an easy feat.
With that, I imagine people are thinking “well if it isn’t your field of study, Chlora, then why are you writing about it?” A legitimate question! However, the best answer I can give you is: because I want to. Because I have been thinking about them for quite some time and would be lying if I said they didn’t fascinate me in the slightest. Just because they aren’t my usual specimens doesn’t mean I can’t wonder about them or be interested in their existence. And to be fair, many people have indeed asked my opinions on them. Because while I say they aren’t animals or beasts of this realm, their name tends to lead others to this idea. The entity (or maybe “phenomenon” is a more fitting word) I am referring to is the mana-maw. A name like that often brings to mind a magical beast, like a fantastical wolf or a mana-belching crocodile. I would say it even hints at a physical mouth, which doesn’t exist on the real deal. So I believe this is why people think it is something I know about, because a mana-maw is just another creature in this world and I am the absolute master in this field (or at least I like to think so). But the mana-maws are not of this natural world, or at least not in the food chain and ecosystems sense. They are indeed magical through and through, but once I learned about them I couldn’t let it go. It is truly a fascinating thing to think about, and I couldn’t help but talk with others to find out more. So I would say this is less of a professional entry and more of an enthused gushing about a subject I am not qualified on but very much enjoy.

So with that out of the way, let us properly dissect what a mana-maw is. Like I mentioned before, they are not beings of flesh and blood. They are entities of pure magic, but perhaps in a looser sense then you may imagine. Mages and other practitioners of this art may create their own familiars from magic and other resources, but those tend to have a definite shape. The mana-maw has no recognizable anatomy, no arms, no legs, no head and, technically, no mouth. The best I can describe them is a swirling aura of magic with some kind of impossible hole in its center, where this energy flows and vanishes into. It is like a sphere of darkness at its heart, but that still fails to properly define it. First off, not all of them are circular, as certain individuals have been spotted with variations in their central shape. Also, my description makes it seem like there is something there, yet researchers claim what we see is not a presence but an absence. The hole is nothingness, a spot in our reality that both exists and doesn’t. What we see is merely outlined by the energy it consumes, creating a silhouette of something that isn’t really there. Think of it like a living thunderstorm or hurricane; where there is no physical matter to stop you from walking through them, but you would certainly feel the energy that crackles around you. And before you ask, no it won’t vaporize you. While it is a thing of magic, it is not the type that blows holes in people or reduces towns to glowing sizzling dust. Magic and mana exists in nature as residues, auras and radiance, but this is often so faint and dispersed that most people never notice. It is like how humidity means that there is water in the air, but that doesn’t mean you get wet by just walking outside. At lower levels, you would never notice its presence. A mana-maw is a more concentrated form of this, where magic is pulled in and consumed in such a way that it creates a form. Like the swirling water as it goes down a drain, the “body” of the mana-maw we know is simply the mana and magic that is brought in by this ravenous hole and sustains its existence.

Mana sinks are nothing new to the world, as the mages and wizards of the world have found various ways to suck in the surrounding magic and condense it or consume it. A mana-maw is different because it is no simple spell or summoned familiar, it is an entity of its own that obeys no laws or master. How are they formed? Well, that is something the entire world of magic would like to know. If you happen to figure that out, be sure to go collect your wizardly crown and take your rightful place as “Greatest Mage Ever.” There have certainly been efforts to make one with our own blood, sweat and mana, but these experiments pale in comparison to the real deal. The closest success they have had is to create a hole in reality that sucks in all surrounding magic, but then collapses seconds after it is formed. Who knows how far they will delve down that path, as it may be a bit too costly of a task to undertake. I will point out that the “successes” eat mana and only that. The “failures” tend to devour everything else as well. It will forever be the question of how many “abandoned” towers and archives were actually the result of the owner failing in creating an artificial mana-maw and wound up getting sucked into nothingness.

The best attempts only last seconds, while we have records of specific mana-maws that have spanned decades, even centuries! Really goes to show how much further we have to go! Mana-maws have somehow naturally formed over the years, their population fluctuating as some are “born” and others “die.” Their creation is the opening of some kind of hole, specially tuned towards mana and magic. Like a whirlpool in the ocean, it seeks to sustain its own form by sucking in magic, which somehow keeps this hole open and stable. How much magic they actually need to stay “alive” is debatable, as some can drain entire magic academies dry in minutes, while others have simply sustained themselves on the residual magic that emanates from natural sources. It is even a wonder on how they “die,” as it doesn’t always seem to be from a lack of food. Like I said, some have lasted centuries while others have come and gone in days. There are many with sparse and erratic diets that have survived just fine, while there are records of infamous individuals with hefty sources of mana that have somehow collapsed amongst buffets of food. I think the best way we can think of it is that they are essentially a hole, and sometimes holes get filled up or plugged. It could be from a lack of food, which weakens whatever holds open this yawning void. Perhaps something damages this frame, like an attack from an angry wizard or some force beyond our understanding. Or maybe time finally catches up to this formation and things fall apart from there. Hard to really say, as it seems that their “death” is just as mysterious as their “birth.”

So what we got is a swirling vortex of magic that eats magic. What’s so interesting about that? Well, what is fascinating about it is that despite it being essentially a mana drain, there is some kind of life within them. I will already cut in to say that the kind of “alive” they are doesn’t fully match up with ours, but watching, studying and reading about them certainly shows that there is something within that devouring darkness. Looking over all the records, you will find inconsistencies in behavior, a variety of movement patterns and some actions that can only be described as “dietary preferences.” There are enough differences between recorded individual mana-maws that you cannot simply categorize them as simple phenomenon! Some may drift across the land and happily absorb anything they encounter, while others will actively change course to track down the strongest source of magic. Some have blown over to other continents, while certain individuals have been sitting in the same spot for years (with some of those “spots” being entire towns)! Certain folks have even found ways to bait a mana-maw, steering them either away from important mana-filled places or driving them straight towards an enemy’s hoard of magical goodies. With all this, how can you rightfully say that they aren’t alive? That there isn’t some kind of mind or method to them? There has to be something going on in there, despite them having no brain or noticeable structure to them.

Goodness me! Been writing on so long and we haven’t even gotten to their diet! Goes to show how much I have thought about mana-maws! Anyways, as should be obvious by now, mana-maws consume magic to sustain their forms. The swirling vortex you see is all that magic being pulled into the void, and all the “movements” are the very same energies being manipulated to help the mana-maw travel or reach out towards other food sources. While the very air itself may have very faint traces of magic, surely this is not enough to sustain them forever. They need something more potent, more concentrated. Thus they turn to magical items, spells and even the mages themselves, as all have that energy they crave. As they move across the land, all magic and all things that contain this force are sapped away by its presence. The yawning void at its heart draws these energies from their source and adds them to its own form. It either joins with the other magic swirling around it, or it may be devoured directly, going straight down the chute! Every little bit they eat helps keep their form stable, and large meals can actually help them grow in size and strength. What this means for everyone else, though, is that there is no more magic within the presence of the mana-maw. If the trinket or weapon was simply storing mana, then it is drained dry and useless. For objects and people that naturally generate magic, they will not be able to replenish their stock until they escape the reach of the mana-maw, as every drop they make will instantly be absorbed. Spells cast at the mana-maw will fizzle out on contact, while performing any kind of magic within them is impossible. Magically enchanted scrolls will be worthless paper, sigils nothing more than fancy scribbles and that almighty wand now just a stick. If you want your magic back, you need to get away from the mana-maw so that you can replenish your fuel.

While their mere presence saps away magic, that doesn’t mean they just sit around and wait to run into food. Some mana-maws are more active “hunters,” actually seeking out substantial sources of mana to feed on. How they sense this, we have no real clue as they don’t have organs to perform such duties. Maybe magic simply calls to magic? Best I got on that. But when a mana-maw senses food, their form will alter course and head straight towards it. In some cases, the source may not be big enough to warrant a complete change of direction, so a mana-maw may actually extend a “tendril” from its form to reach out and slurp it up. For certain individuals, they may find a steady enough source in one place that they decide to set up shop there. This can be in zones that are saturated with mana after a magic-heavy battle, or perhaps even a town that actively provides them this nourishment! Some cities have chosen to tend to a great mana-maw that hangs over their settlement, as its presence nullifies all magic. If you don’t like mages and never want to worry about a magical assault, then a mana-maw is your perfect guard dog! The people of these places offer mana to this entity to keep it fat and happy, which in return ensures it sticks around and gobbles up any malicious magic that may try to enter. This is important to remember if you have any magical trinkets on you or protective wards, as these will be drained the second you step inside. Even more important if you are actively using magic to keep yourself alive! This is why most towns (it should be all of them) have warnings outside their gates, telling you of the mana-maws presence. Some ancient wizards have used constant magic to keep their frail hearts beating, and they will drop dead the second they encounter a mana-maw’s hunger. While they are often portrayed as the bane of magic users, some of the magically inclined have found uses for mana-maws. The presence of one ensures that no one has magic, which is good if you want neutral ground to conduct business on. Some of the great meeting places of famed mages are under the protection of a mana-maw, to make sure no one tries anything dirty. For those training to become efficient battle mages, a few classes will take their students to a mana-maw in order to teach them how to fight and defend themselves when fully stripped of their power. And then there is the obvious use of throwing one of these hungry entities at your enemies and gleefully watching their magical defenses get eaten away.

A thought just came to mind as I was writing this part: what were the mana-maws like before the rise in magic? Obviously magic is an ancient thing in this world, but I have to imagine that there have been some considerable peaks and valleys throughout history. Consider now how prevalent magic is across the globe! There surely had to be a time well before us when magic was far scarcer. Did mana-maws exist then? Were they smaller and shorter lived? Or maybe they didn’t exist at all! Perhaps the rise in magic use is what allowed these entities to be created in the first place! A intriguing thing to consider, maybe I should look more into that, or perhaps talk with someone more acquainted in the history of magic and see their thoughts on it. For me it seems like an interesting line of thinking, but perhaps to people well versed in this field I am rambling pure nonsense.

The diet of a mana-maw seems pretty simple, right? They eat magic and any kind of magic will do. Well, that actually might not be always true. You see, delving into records of encountered mana-maws have shown that some of them have developed certain “tastes.” There is a wide variety of magic found all around the world, and even more differences when you boil it down to specific cultures and races. With such an array, you have to imagine a few of these mana-maws would have a favorite! Of course we cannot say for sure if they actually “enjoy” certain magics over others, but you cannot deny when you witness a mana-maw turn away from one source to go after a different elemental magic instead. It could have a taste for fire magic, perhaps enjoying the spiciness! Or maybe lightning has that pop and zip they like! Perhaps some enjoy more basic spells, finding them easier to digest! Who knows! But we have seen that certain entities do consume more elements and types over others, to the point where a few have incorporated them into their own form! It seems a steady intake of specific magics causes it to bleed into their own anatomy, which makes them stand out from others of their kind and also grant them some different properties. Like for example, one that devours large amounts of fire magic will develop a more red and orange glow to them, as if made of flames themselves! People have also said that the presence gives off a bit of warmth, versus the usual faint chill that comes from the mana-maw feeding on the energy of the air itself. It is not just subtle colors changes, though, as some have changed their shape through particular diets. The hole in the middle of them may take on a more swirled look, or in some cases form angular shapes. Even wilder, some have adapted the specific energy into their movement style! One particular mana-maw was found to be fond of lightning and similar electrical magic, to the point where it figured out how to channel its own form into a brilliant bolt! In certain situations, it would shift its form into a blast of lightning to zip across the land at impossible speeds! It made this individual erratic and hard to predict, truly striking with the randomness of lightning! Another mana-maw that consumed a lot of water magic wound up taking on some of those properties. It developed a feeding method of positioning itself on high ground and then releasing its ethereal tendrils like ghostly rivers, which flowed downhill and consumed all energy it washed over. Makes you wonder what other traits they could pick up if they ate some of the weirder magic types!

When it gets mentioned that mana-maws feed on magic and energy, there is always a concern that come up for newcomers to this subject. If they suck up mana, does that mean they can also devour life force or even souls? Surely an energy vampire like them would hunger for any source! Thankfully, this does not appear to be the case. From all I have heard, there are no credible cases of a mana-maw swallowing someone’s soul. There are supposed tales of people perishing inside a mana-maw’s presence, but usually further snooping reveals the real reason behind their death. Like I mentioned before, some magic users rely on their abilities to keep themselves alive after reaching impossible ages or receiving mortal wounds. The second they step inside a mana-maw’s area of influence, that magic is eaten away and whatever it was sustaining is now left to fend for itself. And don’t forget my talk about failed attempts at creating mana-maws, which only lead to short-lived voids that devour everything around them. Folks hear those stories and start attributing them to real mana-maws, thinking they could do the same. Obviously this does not happen, as such a maneuver would kill the entity as well, and why would they do that? In all honesty, my research into the subject hasn’t really found any legitimate records of mana-maws even hurting anyone! While they eat magic and may take on some subtle properties of it, they have never tried to throw that energy back at us as a weapon. In truth, I don’t know if they even pay us mortals any mind! All “interactions” between us and the mana-maws have more focused on the magic that is present then the people wielding it. They only follow our bait trails because the energy that is used to lure them, and they only stand vigil over certain towns because of the constant magic supplied to them. Do they even “see” the people who wield this magic? Are they even aware of the trinkets, scrolls and staffs they drain dry, or are they simply useless vessels that contain the goodies they want?

Even though the mana-maws may not think much about us, what do folk think of them? Well, it all depends on who you ask. For sure, most magic users do not like them, as a passing mana-maw can erase their precious artifacts and scrolls, and their mere presence means they can’t do squat. There is definitely some anger directed at them, but very little actual violence or action. Despite their squabbles and complaints, mages and wizards don’t do much to actually fight off or destroy mana-maws. As I have mentioned before, mana-maws exist outside of our definitions of life and death, so how exactly do you even fight them? You can’t physically interact with them, so leave your swords and bows at home. Their energy state would mean they could only be affected by other power sources, like magic, but I imagine you see where the problem arises in that. You can’t exactly fight fire with fire if said fire eats that kind of stuff. The spells that could possibly harm a mana-maw wind up getting absorbed by them, which makes it like throwing raw chicken at coyotes in hopes of scaring them off.

However, that isn’t to say all magic is useless against them, as there are some rare exceptions. Mana-maws are still made of mana and energy, and these are power sources that fighting mages have been looking to deal with when fighting other magic users. There are spells that can bind or restrict magic, and some have been found to affect mana-maws. As a swirling vortex of energy, these nullifying spells have been shown to temporarily push back the reach of a mana-maw. It is essentially like slapping away a groping arm, which doesn’t sound like much, but that can make quite a difference if this limb can drain away all your power. True, it doesn’t really hurt the mana-maw, it is just a way to avoid their hunger for a few extra moments. Binding circles and ensnaring runes can possibly trap a mana-maw, as these complicated rituals are known for dealing with ethereal entities. Find the right combination of sigils, then arrange them just so and it might be enough to lock the mana-maw down. Just remember, though, that the same rules apply as if you were trying to capture a powerful spirit or being. Everything has to be perfect in order for it to work. If you use the wrong sigils, layer the circles incorrectly or cross where you should have dotted, then the mana-maw will shatter this snare in an instant. Even worse, the ineffective binding magic will be absorbed, so your prisoner winds up getting a free meal out of it!

Another possibility for warding off a mana-maw is exploiting the individual’s unique taste. As we have learned, each mana-maw’s diet is different and their experience with each type of magic varies. While you can use their favorite flavors to lure them, it also matters what the mana-maw hasn’t eaten. Each type of magic has its own special kind of energy to it, which subtly changes how it is absorbed by the mana-maw. Think of it like how different foods can call for different utensils! When they first encounter a new mana source, it takes them a moment to figure out its properties and how it should be eaten. Just like the example utensils, as they eat more and more of it, they get used to the whole process and can do it in an instant. If you know what magic a mana-maw has never encountered, then you can briefly use this foreign energy source against them. One who has eaten nothing but beef will be quite puzzled when you throw a hard-shelled crab at them, especially if you literally throw it at them. Blasting them with this new magic can push them back or allow its effects to temporarily take hold of it. Just remember, though, that the mana-maw is still a hole that devours all energy. Even as it fumbles against this strange force, eventually their draining void will grab hold and it will be feeding time again. This strategy is one that works for a short period of time and also works only once per unique magic type. Also if you screw up and use spells it has dealt with before, you are once again just throwing food into its gullet.

So obviously there is history between mana-maws and magic users, but what about everyone else? What do these entities mean to those who have nothing to do with magic? Well, as long as the people don’t rely on any external magic and mana-fueled things in their day-to-day lives, then they hardly care about mana-maws. The entities do not cause any physical damage whenever they pass through, and the worst they do to a common villager is make the area a little chilly. To these folk, mana-maws are more like weather events, something that will come and go while life continues on. Since all magic users keep a close eye on mana-maw movement, then that means most places actually get pretty good forecasts on these entities! Some of these mana-maws are so regular and well known that locals will actually give them nicknames. You get people seeing that it has been six months, so it is about time for “Big Ben” to pass through. Or if you go too far into the valley, you will stumble into “ol’ Snappercracker,” so be wary about carrying magical trinkets.

To some commoners, they cheer the existence of mana-maws because they are a well known thorn for magic users. To them, mages are high and mighty know-it-alls who deserve to be knocked down a couple of pegs. Those blowhards who think they’re better than everyone else because they were born with an attunement to magic. And then their rich family line got them into the best mage academy, who would never allow a filthy peasant join their esteemed club. So if these snobs get wrecked by some hungry piece of void, then that entity is a friend indeed! It is for this reason you get some towns that harbor a local mana-maw, keeping them around so mages have no power when they are within their walls. I must say there is something amusing about this whole situation. You have these ethereal holes in reality that devour magic and are able to drain the mightiest mages in seconds, and it turns out most people aren’t all that bothered by them. Reminds me of how one time I went to investigate a passing mana-maw and found a bunch of the local children trying to throw rocks into the nothingness. There was no danger to the kids or the mana-maw, as those stones just phased through it as if it wasn’t there. Those voids don’t consume physical matter, even though they look like tears in reality. Didn’t stop me from lobbing a stone or two myself! Sorry, but I couldn’t resist giving it a try!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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This here is a collaboration I did with darksack100 on a species/living anomaly we brainstormed together known as the mana-maws. He was the one who first came up with the idea of an ethereal mana-eater, and further discussion/theorizing resulted in a whole lot of background for these mysterious entities. With so much fleshed out, we decided to put something together for it. darksack100 (be sure to check out their other stuff too!) did the visuals for this entry, while I did the description for it (or rather Chlora did).

He also did descriptions for the different forms you see above, which I wanted to add since it further fleshes out the varieties of mana-maws available. Hope you enjoy!

1. The Unaligned Mana-Maw: An unaligned type of Mana-Maw with a well-rounded diet of all kinds of magic. It has no overt and lasting preferences for elemental types and will simply take whatever is available. While unaligned types can have a variety of shapes and sizes, they usually maintain a blue, purple, or grayscale color scheme. This particular specimen is exceptionally large sessile. It does not chase down new food sources, but any within its territory will find their magic swiftly drained and few - if any - spells exist this maw cannot recognize and absorb. Exceptionally challenging even to bind or contain via ritual, as it will tug at even the faintest hint of magic and pull it in voraciously, breaking any complex but unfinished setup one may wish to utilize. Does not emit any sound.

2. The Electric Mana-Maw: A virile, unpredictable mana-maw that can move quicker than the eye on a whim. It is extremely sensitive to changes in the mana-content of the environment around it, but not vulnerable to them. It jumps from place to place as old environments become dissatisfactory and new ones present themselves, though its criteria for judgement - if they even remain static - are anyone's guess. Despite utilizing (or appearing to utilize) the medium of lightning, this mana-maw is not dangerous to people and will at most electrify the air and unsettle the nerves - particularly if it's just hopped directly in front of you. Ol' Snappercracker is a famous example of this variety and has been known to display animal-adjacent behaviors, including keeping a "territory" and occasionally being very aggressive in its pursuit of choice meals. Emits an assortment of crackles, pops, and buzzes.

3. The Psuedo-Fire Mana-Maw: A mana-maw that's been treated to a bit more heat-magic than is normal. While it has no overtly fire-centric aesthetics, its spiraling movement is evocative of a hungry and infernal force, as is the subtle heat it radiates. While not particularly fast, it is almost always on the move and has been known to trail some of its choice meals doggedly over many days and nights. The sensation of having one's magic removed by this entity is no more harmful than any of the others, but is often described as more uncomfortable, as if it's being removed a bit more forcefully or in an awkward way. Emits a sinister-sounding howl, like one would associate with the void.

4. The Arcane Mana-Maw: This relatively small mana-maw has an air of sophistication about it. There seems something almost deliberate and perhaps even learned about it, though it may simply be the elegance of its frame and the way in which it levitates about. After a long diet of complex and arcane types of magic, this mana-maw has developed a preference for places and objects with layered and synergistic uses of mana. As it ponderously levitates towards them, it slowly breaks them down into tinier and tinier fragments before incorporating them into its frame and feeding them to the hole only after they become as simplified as they can possibly be made to be. A mana-maw like this would be vulnerable to sudden blasts of other magic types, as it does less "violent sucking" of magic and more careful disassembly of it. Such a being may be considered beautiful and kept by a village or even very eccentric wizard containing it in a sealed environment and feeding it as one would a terrarium pet. Emits a gentle hum like the aftermath of a ringing bell.