In-Depth Information;

Appearance Elementals are the living manifestations of the elements themselves, given life by a Realm's latent energies. They are composed entirely of the element they represent and are split into eight different and unique variants. These taken forms are generally tenuous in their solidarity, and regularly dissolve when an elemental feels threatened. An elemental's true form is a floating mass of their element, and their taken form is anything they forge themselves into otherwise. Fully physical forms are utilized by powerful elementals who may contain their element within a solid body without harming themselves or others.

When in their taken forms, they can be of any shape, mainly driven by the elemental's personality. No two elementals will appear exactly the same; for example, two fire elementals who have chosen the shape of an identically-built dragon may differ in heat intensity, flame color, and fire appearance.

Fire: Typically of a volatile nature, flame elementals find it difficult to create a truly physical form. They burn with such intense heat that flammable items nearby are often set aflame as they pass. When they do manage a physical form, whatever it is seems perpetually to be burning up, and ashes constantly follow in their wake. Occasionally, there will be elementals who appear more as beings of magma than flames. Only the oldest, or most gifted, fire elementals may adopt fully physical forms that will not set fire to whatever they touch.

Water: Water elementals find forms easier to maintain, though choosing one is a particular difficulty. Usually, they are completely made up of a liquid that can range from a clear, countryside stream to the grimy muck found in local swamps. Regularly, water elementals will leave trails of water behind them as they travel unless their control over a taken form is especially strong.

Air: These elementals are a flighty bunch, and though they can create their forms easier than some of the others, it is very difficult to see at all. The way to spot an air elemental is to look for distortions in the appearance of objects behind them, or to look for something responding to a localized breeze. Some of the stronger elementals are able to catch and hold clouds or dust within their forms to help others see them, though these continuously move and shift, leading some with weak stomachs to avoid looking at them entirely. Very rarely may an air elemental hold a fully visible, or physical, appearance.

Earth: Earth elementals have the easiest time creating both taken and physical forms, and often have the most diverse appearances. While some may consist of stone, earth, or sediment in a living shape, others may appear to be moving groups of plants, trees, and other flora. Combinations of these are also possible; such as stones covered in plantlife, or plants with certain features constructed of stone. Rarely, earth elementals may consist of metal ore, though they naturally bear nothing resembling forged pieces when they do.

Lightning: These elementals have a very difficult time attempting to create taken or physical forms. Without them, they are simply energy and plasma, with very little hinting that they may be sentient beings. Even those few who manage the feat have difficulty maintaining a taken form, giving it a crackling quality whose edges constantly shift from their proper places. As they walk, small jolts of energy discharge into nearby conductors, and living things regularly become dazed if they come in contact with one of these elementals.

Ice: Ice elementals are exactly that: beings of crystallized water given life. Some will appear almost pure blue, while other seem white and nearer to snow. Some of the older elementals may even make their form of pure ice, trapping bubbles of air or hairline cracks in their physical form. Where they walk, a thin film of frost covers all surfaces, quickly melting away in warmer climates. In this case, adopting a physical form means controlling their temperature to where they may not freeze whatever they touch without intent.

Dark: These elementals are composed of pure shadows and dark energy. Some seem to roll and roil together like stormclouds while others appear two-dimensional and flat. In stronger specimens, light tends to bend toward these elementals, making their features even more difficult to see. These elementals can take both taken and physical forms in dark places, but will often revert to their natural state in bright light unless particularly strong.

Light: These elementals are anywhere from a soft glow to a blinding blaze of light, their forms only distinguishable by the dimmer rays coming off of it. More powerful individuals seem to eliminate shadows around them completely, making them appear either two dimensional, or simply a silhouette of light. These elementals can take both taken and physical forms in bright places, but will often revert to their natural state in lightless darkness unless particularly strong.

Culture Elementals are naturally drawn to one another. Like attracts like, and communities of similar elementals form small community groups. This was as far as they would mingle, though, as each elemental group despised its natural opposite. Wars are prevented by an age-old faith in the mythical land of Zinlaea; the belief that a ruling class of lost elementals exist to end such battles as soon as they begin. While the validity of this belief has been called into question by non-elementals, elemental faith remains true, and they will bow to the authority of any lost ones they come across.

Fire: A community of fire elementals is usually found on "burning grounds" - lands already so hot that they are unable to harm anything by setting it aflame. This is often in volcanic regions and underground caverns, though may briefly show up in the remnants of wildfires as well. They value strength and power, often competing to see who can make the tallest column of flames in both social and special occasions. Outsiders may see the community as brash and aggressive without knowing better.

Water: These communities are very laid back. They like to go with the flow, often taking turns between ecstatic action and long breaks of relaxation as the mood hits them. They value adaptability and regularly change sides in a conflict based on the moment. Outsiders can and do see these communities as lazy and chaotic; sometimes, they're more right than they realize.

Air: Air communities may be either quite difficult to spot, or catastrophic to the weather patterns of the area. They're known to be one of the most active types of elementals when gathered together, and groups of them rarely seem to sleep. Games and competitions are constantly being held, and no job is left unfinished for long, because someone will come by and pick up the slack soon. Neutrality is valued highly among these elementals, though they can and will prove deadly enemies. Outsiders often see them as aloof communities without knowing the full investment these groups hold in other happenings.

Earth: An earth community is stubborn by nature. They value tradition and regularly keep records of seemingly mundane things because "that's the way we've always done it". From the outside, these communities may appear less stubborn to new ideas, but just because they keep track of it does not mean it will get implemented.

Lightning: These communities are the most impulsive and least likely to settle until something important is blasted to bits by an overload of energy. They prefer action over inaction and sometimes collide with each other in the process of getting places, resulting in massive discharges to the nearest conductive surface. Usually judged to be idiots and inconsiderate, most outsiders are unaware of the intricate decision-making that happens within a split section. If they truly acted without thought at all, there would be much more destruction than there is around their communities.

Ice: These communities are known to be cautious, often taking twice the amount of time considered descent before making a final decision. Tactical observations and the ability to perceive an issue in its entirety are valued highly in these communities. Outsiders might think them slow and inefficient, and though they are slow, the decisions made by these communities often lead to the greatest possible efficiency and success of any of the options available at any given moment.

Dark: Mostly active at night, these communities are disturbingly silent. The elementals may move about and complete tasks, but few conversations are started, and no small talk is exchanged over tea. Dark communities have been accused of secrecy and evil intent in the past, but the truth is that they really value modesty and independence. Members of a community do not speak of inappropriate topics, and the neighbors frankly do not need to know about every thought that crosses one mind. If it is important, they will converse with another, either to solidify or build and idea. This has led to an unfortunate number of more malicious beings apparently hailing from these communities, it is only because the others do not think it appropriate to control the course another being wishes to take.

Light: These communities are the most welcoming to visit, and often members will approach visitors and engage in conversations without warning. They value transparency and truth, and they've done their best to be allies with the dark communities, believing in the balance that is created when the two work together. From outside, light communities appear overly trusting and too talkative, but they are formidable enough to hold their own if they need to.

Abilities Elementals are, in an essential way, pure magic given life. They are made of the element they control, and though the degree of control is determined on an individual basis, it is well known that to be able to use the full degree of an elemental's power results in the mutually assured destruction of both the elemental and the target. The oldest elementals can maintain taken and physical forms of practically any kind with enough practice, though they are never very physically strong.

Fire: Fire elementals utilize their flames for a variety of purposes; everything from casting balls of fire at their enemies to summoning flames to burn are common. Much rarer is the ability to control pure heat or magma within volcanoes. In desperation, a fire elemental may unleash their full potential in an enormous explosion, the beginnings of an incredible forest fire, or even the eruption of a nearby volcano. Usually, the elemental either becomes part of the attack or sputters out as its energy is drained. Very few survive such displays of power.

Water: Commonly, these elementals can use available water and bend it to their will. This includes but is not limited to rivers, bodes of water, rain, humidity, and their physical forms. Some are able to control mist or fogs, but very few are able to control the blood of living beings. Older elementals may generate water, such as rain, for their use. Final acts of desperation have included tsunami waves, hurricanes, and severe, sudden floods. This often results in the elemental losing its form and being absorbed back into the natural water cycle, though a select rare few have been known to survive.

Air: In an air elemental's repertoire, wind gusts are the easiest to control, and they can range from huge gales meant to push over the target to sharp zephyrs meant to tear through defenses. It is also possible to summon large tornadoes, though this ends up being a last-ditch effort for all but the most powerful of air elementals. Some rare elementals are able to control sound and soundwaves in anything from focused, concussive blasts to far-reaching echoes used for long-distance communication. Usually, air communities will have at least one of their number who may control sound, and often contact other groups in this way.

Earth: Elementals of earth utilize available material around them whether it is dirt, gravel, mud, sand, plants, trees, or other related things. They are an excellent defensive element, and are the most resilient of their kind, though those that appear to be made of flora are significantly less. Some earth elementals have used their full potential to create giant sinkholes, collapse mountains, or cause an entire forest to explosively grow. Often, these elementals either turn into statues, join with local plantlife, or dissolve into dust once they've done this final, desperate act.

Lightning: Lightning elementals utilize electricity as their base ability; anything from lightning bolts to static shocks are possible. Some are able to go on the offensive with their taken forms at breakneck speed, and their attacks become almost completely invisible. Desperate lightning elementals go out by causing the largest lightning storm or single bolt an area has ever seen, vaporizing a large area, or similar feats of destruction. Few survive such acts of destruction.

Ice: Many ice elementals may utilize their abilities for anything from thrown spikes of ice to entire walls meant to deflect enemy attacks. They are also known to be able to manipulate pure cold sometimes, and others may be able to manipulate the weather and cast small-scale snowstorms at will. Accounts of enormous blizzards and entire cities encased in ice have been noted from ice elementals in last-ditch efforts, rendering extreme destruction. These elementals find it difficult to live in warmer climes, and too much heat can kill them easily.

Dark: It is usual for dark elementals to use shadows as their powers develop, though some have been able to master black fire or poisonous fumes. More powerful members are able to use a pure, suffocating blackness and the ability to corrupt perfectly normal and healthy objects. These elementals go out with the intensity of a solar eclipse, often killing off large portions of flora, fauna, and population in a single, final act of desperation. Afterwards, they simply melt into the shadows and disappear forever.

Light: Summoning light in darker places is commonplace for these elementals, as is sudden flash bombs and white fire. There have also been cases where light elementals can use healing and purification energies as well. The full potential of a light elemental is extreme, and sometimes lovely. It is rumored the first aurora was created by one, and another gave their life to heal an entire city of plague. One can really only see the remains of a light elemental when they go out in a dark place, namely the drifting light that seems to live in a place for years until it dims out of existence. Extreme, prolonged darkness may sap a light elemental's energy, and eventually kill them.

Subspecies;

Dryad
Classification: nature elemental; tree spirit. Location: primarily Xaeri and Millirand.

The dryad is a humanoid race described as tree spirits found in the forests of Xaeri and Millirand, very rarely abroad. Dryads appear with silvery green skin, covered in moss and bark; their 'hair' is formed of vines, leaves or flowers, and their hands are tipped with sharp wooden claws. Classically, they will also have a pair of short wooden horns that twist from their heads, as well as very long, pointed ears much like an elf's. Eye color varies, though it is commonly white, green, or blue, and they will commonly dress themselves in colors that match either their eyes or the foliage around them. While the greater majority of dryads are born female, males can be found in small numbers, and genders are not set due to their elemental nature.

They have an incredible control over plantlife, and have the ability to phase into and inhabit a tree, losing their physical form for brief periods of time. They are incapable of true sleep, and use this method to rest, allowing their souls to join with the tree's spirit for hours to days at a time. Often, a dryad will choose one specific tree to inhabit as their home; and those bonded to such a tree will be able to feel when it is sick or injured. Multiple dryads are capable of inhabiting the same tree, though this is often restricted only to close family. It's said that when a dryad dies, their spirit becomes a seed, and from that seed a tree that matches the one they spent most of their lives bonded to.

Dryads do not often form communities, and instead inhabit the trees and plants of their home forest. No more than ten or so tend to congregate at any one time and do not often interact, though married or pairbonded individuals often live together within the same tree. They are generally amicable to those passing through their forests, and will help lost travelers find their way, though the damaging or killing of a tree will inspire great rage in any dryad who senses or sees the destruction. Among themselves, dryads may congregate once or twice during the spring to celebrate the dawn of new leaves, share news, and find communion among themselves and with their surrounding forest. Very few dryads will leave the forest they are born in, and may only do so if the number of dryads becomes too great.

Fire Sprite
Classification: fire-elemental fairy. Location: abroad, but rare.

The fire sprite is a small, delicate fairy consisting entirely of flame. Though some have wings and some do not, all are able to fly; they seem as flickering sparks in the air, and may be confused with orange-toned Faded spirits to those unfamiliar with the true. Upon closer examination, they have slender bodies that resemble molten metal with a bright jewel-heart, usually naked but for their cloaking of flame, though their physical features are vague and ill-defined. Each fire sprite is able to change their appearance through the manipulation of flame at will, though they are incapable of transforming into animalistic shapes.

Once thought to be simple fauna, fire sprites have been shown to not only have intelligence comparable to humans, but also be able to learn most spoken tongues. However, their speech is always used through telepathy, as they have no corporeal lips to speak through. The majority also cannot write or use tools, as they cannot grasp or hold items without scorching them; however, older individuals may form a 'core' of solid material, and thus can manipulate tools that others cannot. When a fire sprite dies, should they have been old enough to form such a core, this is all that is left behind. These cores are often something resembling a jagged piece of stone with a density anywhere between charcoal to obsidian depending on their age.

Fire sprites enjoy the company of others, though their propensity to start fires and accidentally burn anything flammable nearby have made them unwelcome in most settlements, save for small villages consisting of fire elementals or other flame-based races. They are known to be playful, sometimes mischievous, though rarely go out of their way to cause another harm. However, if one of their number is hurt or killed maliciously, they may swarm the attacker, scorching them to death via proximity alone.

Florid
Classification: sapient plant/plant humanoid. Location: abroad

Florids are unique, intelligent flora that eventually take on a humanoid form, their appearances as diverse as the various plants they may resemble. They spend the first century as non-sentient plant-life before entering a stage called "bloom," in which they rapidly become sapient and start developing a fully-humanoid body over the course of a year.

Most florids are short, have green skin of varying shades, and their 'flower' generally can be found on top of their head (though other places have been reported). Larger flowers and plants render taller florids, and their anatomy is greatly influenced by what type of plant they take after. Some take after various fungi, with pale, fibrous skin, and a cap like a mushroom in place of a flower. These florids tend to draw nutrients from decaying plant matter, and prefer to avoid overexposure to direct sunlight.

They thrive on sunlight and water; without these, they may survive on nectar, sap, or sugar for a time. If deprived of nutrients for long enough, a florid's flower will begin to absorb its body, shrinking in size until only the flower is left, upon which time they may re-root to the ground until able to create a body once more. Otherwise, florids are gifted with nature-based magics usually centered around what type of flower they have, as well as the ability to manipulate plantlife and summon vines around them.

Most florids do not stay with their children until they bloom, though rarely stay with other adult florids at all, resulting in an inability to create any sort of culture to pass on to one another. Married and especially true-pairbonded individuals are rare, though couples that produce offspring - resulting in a seed planted in the ground instead of an infant - tend to stay together until their child blooms before parting. Few florids can even talk, and the ones who do pick up the languages from others in their travels. Instead, all are able to communicate silently through feelings and images similar to telepathy, which they use until they learn to speak the common tongue.

Golem
Classification: artificially-crafted elemental. Location: artificial earth elemental. Location: abroad.

The golem is an artificial creature created by gnomes upon the discovery of Soulgem creation and manipulation. By fusing a Soulgem within a construct of any hard material - usually stone, wood, or metal - a golem gains the ability to move and act in accordance to its creator's will. Oftentimes, these compressed souls are taken from criminals and locked away in a golem, made to serve at some task or other until the Gem is either drained of essence, or shattered from stress. Most Soulgems don't retain their awareness of spirit for more than a few months, before the personality and thoughts of the original host fade away completely. However, Soulgems can rarely be 'recharged' in various ways, and a stronger golem with either a very strong former spirit, or multiple Soulgems, can persist for multiple years.

Golems are often crafted with earth magic into vague, rough humanoid shapes, though they can be crafted by hand into more artistic renditions with a great amount of time. Rarely, a Soulgem can be fused into an animalistic shape - though the strength of the Soulgem cannot hold large beasts for very long without breaking, unless the soul within is exceptionally strong and is recharged very often. The Soulgems are usually located at the very heart of the golem's chest, so that they cannot be easily destroyed. When powered by a Gem, their eyes will glow with whatever color the spirit's reiatsu was in life.

Though the majority of golems are restricted to their purpose, serving the one that created them, others are able to retain their self-awareness and act autonomously from the one that gave them life. Personalities vary across the board, especially in those with stronger Gems, as do abilities.

Lost: Aura Elemental
Classification: very rare elementals composed of spiritual energy alone. Location: abroad.

Strongest of all elementals, and the rarest among them. These elementals are comprised entirely of spiritual energy, and while they may take any form, their eyes will always betray what they are: these swirl with their reiatsu, and may never change color nor be hidden. Many aura elementals may also sport markings across physical forms they may have in the color of their aura, and all will revert to their true form when overtaxed (or simply out of a desire to abandon physical manifestation, though this is much more difficult).

These elementals may be born in one of two ways; they may manifest and be given life by latent Realm energies, mage storms, reiatsu storms, and god storms, or be bred between two existing aura elementals or other Lost elementals and an aura individual. Creation of an aura elemental is possible, but supremely difficult, and often cannot be done without an existing catalyst and/or the death of those contributing their reiatsu involved.

Aura elementals have immense control over their own reiatsu; they may manifest it in various ways, and utilize it much to their will. Younger aura elementals may have a difficult time keeping more solid manifestations, while older individuals will have learned the nuances in their control to make devastating reiatsu attacks, unique manifestations, among other things.

Other abilities are rare in pure aura elementals, but not unheard of. However, any alternate abilities - such as traditional elemental magic - is always much weaker than their reiatsu itself.

Lost: Chaos Elemental
Classification: very rare elementals composed of fire, water, wind, and earth. Location: abroad.

A rare elemental comprised of fire, water, air and earth. Their bodies are formed of each of these four elements, and they cannot be parted from any of them; thus, they are rarely able to hold a single 'solid' form for very long. Most take the vague shape of species they have seen, or of a mixture of animals, rarely humanoid. Very old chaos elementals are able to solidify their form much more easily. In their true forms, chaos elementals appear as a mass of swirling elements, all four parts equal, without any recognizable features.

Chaos elementals have control over their four elements and little else. They are immensely powerful in these elements, capable of vast destruction, but also have a tendency to overtax and/or lose control depending on the situation. Younger chaos elementals may be unstable to an extreme in their power, and much more apt to lose control than older elementals.

Lost: Storm Elemental
Classification: very rare elementals composed of lightning, wind, and water. Location: abroad.

A rare elemental comprised of water, wind and lightning. Though less chaotic in form-changing than the chaos elemental, a storm is less able to hold a physical form for very long than any single-element individual like them. Their bodies are often loose and vague, coming apart in flashes of lightning or bleeding mist, and they'll often leave rainwater wherever they go. Most will choose humanoid forms, though some are more partial to the bestial. Solid forms that contain their elements entirely can often only be achieved by very old or very strong individuals, and those that have a catalyst of some sort to aid them in such an endeavor.

Storm elementals may utilize lightning, water, and wind magic - and little else. However, they are extremely powerful in these elements, and use them with skill not usually seen in like creatures with similar elements. On the other hand, storm elementals may have a difficult time controlling their power and especially their speed: most storm elementals move significantly faster across (and sometimes through) most surfaces than many living species.

Sylph
Classification: air-elemental spirit. Location: abroad, but rare.

The sylph is often considered a cousin of the fire sprite, as they form the same general shape - that of a fairy - and are comprised entirely of their element. However, where a fire sprite is pure flame, a sylph is an elemental of air. They are ethereal and translucent, and are completely incapable of taking a physical form though their powers of air are nigh unmatched. Most wear clothes comprised of either air, dust, or other fine debris, even going so far as to craft themselves fine, translucent garb held together with wind magic. Often, sylphi are nearly invisible save for the swirling wind, though older individuals retain a humanoid appearance that shimmers in blues, greys, whites, tans, and a myriad of other colors.

They are as fierce as the fire sprite is friendly. Very protective of their homes and territories, absolutely ruthless to those that trespass, sylphs are known to be dangerous and ill-tempered. They speak through telepathy, but will generally be unenthused at the prospect of conversation, unless a trespasser leaves their territory and converses with them beyond the border of their home. However, should one do a favor for a sylph or help one in any way, they are very loyal and will honor the debt until it is fulfilled.

Sylphi are capable of great feats of air and wind magic, along with small dabblings in storms and weather. They are very prone to overtaxing their abilities, however - should a sylph go beyond their limit, they will 'die' and dissipate into the air, unable to reform.

Water Nymph
Classification: water-elemental women. Location: anywhere near calm water sources; ponds, lakes, creeks and slow rivers.

Nymphai are a race of water elementals that are thought to have sprung from a single clan of humans, all of which fell to a curse of vanity and narcissism many years ago. This clan is said to have been cursed by Balion to be beholden to the waters they looked into to admire their reflections, and this connection has been retained to this day. As such, a water nymph is unable to break his or her connection to the water, and must remain in contact with it at all times.

Both male and female nymphai are possible, though females are much more common and males are known to be relatively rare. They appear as fair, somewhat ethereal humans with skin dark or light, often shimmering like minuscule scales in the sun, always tinged in hues of blues and greens. Their hair is translucent, sometimes entirely colorless, with a reflective quality that has been compared to strands of flexible, opaque glass. Some may have markings across their skin, and more have these markings accented by tattoos. They wear sparse clothing enchanted to change with their forms, and many are fond of magical jewelry and other trinkets.

As water elementals, they have an affinity for any abilities surrounding that element, and have been known to use it in a great variety of ways. Older nymphai can also transform themselves completely into water, though still cannot withstand being apart from it without suffering great injury to themselves over a period of time. Only when it rains may they walk freely overland, though if they become caught without water to return to their homes with, they may wither and die. The most powerful are able to summon storms, and even to manipulate related elements - such as ice - to a limited degree.

As they are bound to water, they often live in communities beneath the waves, or make their homes in deep rivers or swamps. Other humanoids may find a nymph alluring, and many use this to their advantage in interactions with those not of their race. However, due to their inability to leave the water, these meetings are limited. Thus, nymph ambassadors, traders, and emissaries are common links from the world beneath the water and above, facilitating trade and other relations with those that frequent the shore.

Void Elemental
Classification: dangerous elemental formed of Void energy. Location: rarely abroad.

Very, very rare creatures who are not only formed of the energy of the Void, but appear to hold several of the Void hydra's own abilities within their chaotic forms. They are incredibly rare and cannot reproduce, created in the confines of the Void hydras themselves. They appear in the Living Realms only when a Realm is about to die - however, once they are able to manifest outside of the Void through a world's imbalance, they may freely traverse the Realms, and may pose a danger to anything and everything within them.

Void elementals may appear in any shape that they wish, from animalistic to humanoid, and always are consisted of black energy that devours light, save for minute specks like minuscule stars. Sometimes, these stars are brighter than others, and may appear in multiple colors; their forms are insubstantial, and can never be fully physical. All Void elementals have eyes that shift and change in hue, and glow with a brightness that cannot be quenched. Their energy may be seen radiating from them like smoke, burning like black fire, or bleeding from them like water. The space around them appears distorted, twisted, as if they are not supposed to exist.

All Void elementals - once having escaped the Void into the Living Realms - are able to pass from one Realm to another without the use of portals or Markers. They are masters of dark magical energy, and are impervious to the dark element and any physical attack. Certain elements (light, fire, and lightning), pure energy and reiatsu assaults can be deadly to them, and may eradicate them completely or send them back to the Void, breaking their connection with the physical world. Enchanted weapons may also harm them, but unenchanted things have no effect.

Many Void elementals do not have stable personalities. They are unpredictable, chaotic, and uncontrollable; they often inspire fear where they go, and are regarded as terrible omens of death, seen most often when a Realm is on the brink.