The Manses are a piece of Kaelbrach magical technology utilised to extract Vis from natural magical auras. The process is likely related to the to the Nassian technique of distilling Vis from an Aura in a lab, which is a labour intensive technique (i.e. it requires a gifted individual to spend a season to do so). Manses apparently do undertake this process continuously and without involvement of mages. The structures appear to be pyramidal in form and are positioned in the areas of highest aura intensity.

From discussions with Illium, it is currently speculated that the technique was likely developed in response to the apparent lack of free viss sources, as they do occur regularly on Nassia.

After long and difficult study of every ruined manse that the exiles could find, in the spring of 08, Wyndham the druid finally unlocked the secrets of manse building. While he put his new techniques down on paper, he delegated the job of constructing the first manse to his young apprentice, Lemur John. 

Manses yield a number of pawns of vis equal to twice the aura they are located in, each year. This vis is delivered either annually, seasonally or twice a year. The type of vis and the frequency of its collection is determined when the manse is constructed. 

Constructing a manse requires twice the pawns of vis of the aura that the manse is built in. The actual structure must be constructed of good quality materials and built to a high degree of quality. Regular upkeep is essential. There are a few different symbolic shapes that will suit manse design, such as pyramids, pillars and obelisks. Once the manse is physically built, it takes a season to "imbue" it to generate vis.

The Dragmos Manse

This is the first manse that the exiles built and they sited it in the small by powerful aura in the centre of New Dragmos.

The manse was built by the apprentice of Wyndham the Druid, Lemur John and reflects somewhat his playful nature. John has clearly tried to build a respectful and elegant manse but his whimsical spirit shows through in the lemur statue crowning the menhir, water flowing from it open mouth.

The manse consists of a fountain pool,with a large carved obelisk in the centre, topped with the statue of John himself in his heartbeast form. A lion face (also spewing water) is a tribute to his master, Wyndham.

The manse produces 12 pawns of vis a year which may be harvested at the summer solstice. It is broken down as follows

9 pawns of Vim vis

1 pawn of Animal vis

1 pawn of Terram vis

1 pawn of Muto Vis

The Ellotis Manse

The manse at Ellotis is the most powerful manse thus far created and produces a considerable amount of vis. 

It consists of a series of pillars in concentric rings that get taller closer to the centre.

It produces its vis during the summer and yields

8 pawns of Vim vis

1 pawns of Creo vis

1 pawns of Herbam vis

1 pawns of Intellego vis

1 pawns of Rego vis

1 pawns of Muto vis

1 pawns of Aquam vis

The Highway Manse

Initially created just after the Dragmos manse, the idea was that this manse would produce only vim vis and would be used to fuel the creation of further manses. 

It takes the form of a squat and sturdy pyramind made of stone and is harvested during summer

It yields

4 pawns of Vim vis

The Amun'Tak Manse

Amun'tak is a blighted town, the stone melted and burnt and the soil sown with salt. Ignacio and John have been working together to rebuild the town, healing the soil and providing accommodation and security to those that wish to move to the ruins.  John and Ignacio wished their town to be self sufficient, at least as far as their towns rejuvenation is concerned. They know that the towns reasonably mild aura will produce enough vim vis for a good aura and the terram vis it produces is always in high demand.

It gives up its yield during summer and gives

4 pawns of Terrma

4 pawns of Vim