The Basics of Arcana

The Basics of Arcana is a Pre-Hardmode Codex purchased from the Sorceress. It can be read by left-clicking it while the Traveller's Journal is in the player's inventory, and can be accessed in the Codexes section in the Traveller's Journal.

Lore
...The basics of Arcana manipulation The most basic of tools used in sorcery is the staff of wood - no more, no less. To use it, hold it in your hand and dream. A properly attuned mind will see the Winds of Magic with it, and how they may flow in and out an object. Most of my pupils describe the input location as being a green circle, while the output is a yellow circle. To create a basic arcane link, focus on the output using your staff, then draw an imaginary line to the input of another object using your mind. If you drop concentration and the line remains, then you have succeeded. It is of paramount importance that you do not stray too far from the output while connecting to the input

As of today, there are three types of known Arcana: Terrestrial, Luminal and Umbral. The Terrarian Academy of Magic permits only the use of the first two except in times of war, and never the latter against foes of the Crimson or the Corruption. Terrestrial arcana can be harvested through magitek that interacts with natural elements like wind and earth. Luminal arcana, likewise comes from light, fire and celestial elements. Lastly, you need a license to know where Umbral arcana comes from. (Note: It comes from death and other cool stuff - Sorceress)

Another important tool of the Sorcerer is the Manaseer Handglass - which allows one to test a Magitek object for arcana. Not all magitek have an internal buffer of arcana. For example, some generators like the common Earthen Seal Box can produce Arcana when under a tree, but not store it. Henceforth, the Handglass will not work.

The next step in Arcana manipulation is a Transceiver. The most common of such is one made of Quartz. The Transceiver is vital in harvesting Arcana from generator Magitek - which do not normally store of Arcana, as mentioned before. Henceforth, the Transceiver can be thought of as the starting point for all your Arcane linking and wiring. For a transceiver to work, place one in close vacinity to your generator object. From there, you can link the Transceiver out to whatever Magitek you require.