How do you generate mana?

there is mana and essence

essence = max mana

some spells require essence so if you cast it your max mana goes down

there are talents to choose at the beginning to regenerate mana i think some building can regenerate mana but not 100% sure

Some buildings restore Mana and some npc's have a skill to as well.

More powerfull spells also cause a permanent loss of Essence when they are cast. Sommuning Minor Elenentals i think does. Restoring land losses 5 each time you cast it. The spell that summons Gardens does as well i think.

If you loss a battle you will also lose 1 essence permanently.

Can anyone imagine a magic system where a Wizard loses Intelligence or Wisdom after casting a spell?

Yeah the more i play the less i like it as it currently is. Really kicks a mage in the behind for trying to be powerful.

Essence loss as it is now is way to much for a mage. If they could somehow put it on a timer where after a set amount of time you regain that loss Essence it would be much better.

but you can gain essence when you lvl up

yes you can but the point you used to revive the land (its only one in this build) is still lost... I agree this is way to restrictive on those wanting to be casters.. 

as was already suggested essence replaced over time..

possible suggestions: allow conversion of shards to replace lost essence in say a 250 to 1 ratio (or more)

have spells that use essence have a 1 essence or 200 shards cost system

I think something along the last to suggestion brings it more in line with production of military units and equipment. need metal to make a sword so why not shards in place of essence....

just tossing around ideas..

So will anyone ever spend that 5 essence for those wolves in that cave quest?

I did in beta 2B, and got 2 Eben wolves. They were pretty tough creatures. Not worth 5 essence then and my guess is not now either. But that's the point of save games.

I've seen a bug where mana doesn't regenerate.

I think that bug happened to me! https://forums.elementalgame.com/386552

Wierd, I've never had it regenerate.  Thought it was just a basic flaw in the system.  Then again, I'm on the boards trying to find out why my creating worlds stage of game setup doesn't actually do anything anymore.

the only times that mana re-generated for me was when I had a crystal enchantment building in ONE of my cities.

harpo

Interesting... mana's been regenerating just fine in my games.

Actually the further I got into the game the less mana I had... couldn't cast anything.. (I lost a few battles.) I had no Idea how to regenerate them. I think I got down to 5 mana in total... when I started the game with 15 or so.... 

Glad this was brought up.

Yes I've had that bug a few times, generally after casting the familiar spell when playing the fallen.