The word "mana" is a real word, that comes from a native indian from Melanesia. The meaning of mana is the "Mystic Force from the Spirits of the Nature". Say that Mana means "Magic" is simplistic, and before the game "Secret of Mana" that word dont was that popular as is today.
I am aware of this. However, popular usage is not in accordance with historical significance. It's the same reason you don't see people around here painting swastikas (which were mysitc/religious symbols in many cultures long before the rise of the Nazis) on things. Even if they still hold the original meaning, their cultural meaning has shifted, and that effects how it will be recieved.
About Qaballa, it IS a Metaphorical Symbol!!! it do NOT have religious meaning, it only shows the relationship among the forces in its diagram, the diagram of emanations...its like a Chemical Table, but it deals on MYSTIC forces.
Same with this:
http://gryphonsmoon.com/cat/express-you ... acle.t.jpg
It's nothing more than a metaphorical chart displaying the relationships of the basic elements and the universe as a whole. And yet, I wear one around my neck pretty regularly, since it still
does hold deep religious significance. Anyway, my point was twofold: pulling something directly like that into the game is unoriginal and feels like theft, and those that practice Qabbala take it seriously.
I am fairly versed in the mystic, as it is a part of my own belief systems. Now, if you put up the Tree of Life as an example of a chart, fine, but you need to make that clearer; it seemed like you were saying we should just take that symbol as our own.
In terms of damage, here's my thoughts (bear in mind I'm pulling these numbers out of thin air, and basing it on my chart). I'll use the example of water. Damage against:
Fire: 150% (opposition)
Air: 100% (opposition to complimentary element)
Water: 30% (same element)
Earth: 50% (complimentary)
Time: 90% (yang)
Space: 70% (also yin)
Light: 100% (opposition to complimentary element)
Dark: 50% (complimentary)
Life: 100% (all elements do 100% to life, and life does 100% to all elements)
This sets up in-game opposition between yin-type mages and yang-type mages, as two "rival schools of thought" within the community.