Essence is an ephemeral energy that permeates the universe. It is the raw component and main driver of magic. Additionally, every living being has a concentration of Essence within them referred to as a Spark. Essence is referred to in many ways throughout Eludan and different terms are used in different contexts. Among the most common are Emanation, Essence and Archē. When stored in a glass container it is called Light or Arcane Light. By scholars it is referred to as Prashta. The Essence within the body is often called Mana or Ki. The former is usually used in the context of casting spell, the latter in the context of strengthening the body. Goblin communities will often refer to it as Juice, a term that has spread to be commonly used amongst sorcerers as well.
It is believed that Essence was first created by The Thought when it unmade itself to preserve the universe. Others argue that Essence predated the Thought and that it is merely a way to describe the spontaneous and fleeting ordering of Essence that caused the universe to come into existence.
Essence is by nature chaotic. Only once it comes into alignment will it achieve an effect. This is achieved through different means. Divine Magic imposes order on it through the will of the Gods, which are believed to be made of pure Essence. Primal magic uses the structure inherent in nature and the circle of life to persuade Essence into Ordering. In Arcane Magic the main way of structuring Essence is through the use of Circles, geometric formulas that directly describe the Ordering to be taken. Wizards believe this to be the purest and most efficient way of casting magic and that the Thought itself was an incredibly complex Circle. These ways of casting usually require the caster to align part of the mana within themselves and expend it to get a reaction to start. The most intuitive type of magic is called Focus and requires bringing the entirety of the casters mana into an Ordering without expending it which will affect the *Essence* around them for a powerful spell. The exception to the principle of order is Occult Magic, which is a poorly understood phenomena where Essence achieves effects without order. Some believe that bards for example tap into the direct will of creative creation used by the Thought.
Essence can be, through concentration and effort, directed into a container made of pure glass, which will begin to glow with great light. This can be used in magical machinery to direct the light with lenses and mirrors, to achieve different effects without the presence of a mage or to power and sustain previously cast spells. One common application of this is to imbue the Light with a property and then direct it into a Prince's Drop, which will release the effect when shattered. This is very useful for quick and uncomplicated casting of effects or for use in magical bombs.