Research and essence
Research unlocks colony progression and mana upgrades. Pylons supply mana; active essence siphons spend it to produce essence determined by biome and tier. Research uses materials and work at research stations. Research also unlocks global mana abilities that you, the player, can use to turn the tide of battle or avert catastrophe. Revive requires research. For rune-based mana abilities, research mana ability slots and find mana runes in dungeons.
Getting started
Open Research, inspect prerequisites and queue a technology. Build a research station and allow research work. Supply every required material group; some groups require several different alternatives. Materials must be delivered before they are consumed.
Tip
Check the first queued technology, missing delivered materials, worker eligibility and station access. Efficiency falls with research work and recovers over time. More workers do not remove material requirements or restore efficiency immediately.