u/ExplodiaNaxos

I haven’t really touched the magic rework yet, but currently (playing as Orenvalyam) one of my earliest missions requires me to cast a spell. Thing is, I need mana for that, and currently I’m sitting at 0. According to the dev diary where the new system was discussed, you’re supposed to have a small base trickle of mana, but for some reason for me that base +1 is cancelled out by -1 “From other sources.” I have no idea what those other sources are; no country modifiers seem to be having that effect, and no estate privileges either. The mage estate also cannot study magic as I do not fulfill the condition “The mages do NOT have too many spell levels,” but I honestly have no idea what that means or what I can possibly do about it.

Basically, how can I circumvent this modifier and actually get some mana without waiting to get a powerful mage ruler or heir?

After exploring Insyaa (both meta-wise and in-game with mechanim) for a hundred years, there are a few things I’ve been pondering/wondered about. I have no idea if any of these are viable or not, feel free to point it out if they’re not.

1. Is there a way of knowing when the holohana move next, or is this unpredictability part of their “charm?”

2. What with said mega-beasts often being likened to kaiju, do they ever square off against each other? Would that even be doable? Does it go against their design philosophy?

3. In a similar vein, what about a ramped-up version of a holohana’s “rumbling aura” in provinces where those of two or more beasties overlap?

4. I’m a little lost on how to explore gene pillars. Of the five or so expeditions I’ve sent so far, none have been successful. Is it meant to be like this? Needing to send *many* expeditions before being able to make progress?

5. I noticed while fighting natives in the Charkuchin (not sure about spelling, but the kobold mountains) range that the culture is kobold, but the models are not, even though custom kobold models are obviously in the game already. This made me wonder: can natives (or rebels) be given custom skins? Or is that not possible?