Elementals

Primary Manifestation and Appearance

Elementals can be described as an amorphous mass of their source elements, but this description does not do them justice. They are fluid in their appearance and can ebb and flow based on their location and the balance around them. When the balance is maintained, they often present as calm manifestations of their source elements. Their 'bodies' have a core that is a faint light that is primarily white with a tint of their respective elements (blue for water, red for fire, green for earth, and yellow for air.) This light turns harsh when an area is severely thrown out of balance due to an outside source, and its forms become more turbulent.

Sensory Perception

Not all beings who walk on the surface of Eldux can see elementals; one can completely overlook seeing one in the wild. Even when looking for one, those who do not naturally perceive them can find it difficult to see them truly. It has been recorded that Elves are particularly sensitive to their existence, while Dwarves are mainly sensitive to earth and fire elementals. Humanity has not demonstrated the ability to perceive them, although some possess a select disposition with this ability. Prolonged exposure to elementals has helped beings develop the ability, and this is often passed down for a few generations. Lastly, Auralon I, noted in his surviving notes that everyone can perceive large quantities of elementals of the same element together, particularly if they are all reacting to an imbalance in nature.

Sight

Elementals can be easy to miss, particularly air and water elementals. They are not large, regardless of other circumstances, and can be mistaken for natural occurrences. The distinct glow of their cores is the main telltale sign.

Sound

A balanced elemental, particularly one that has been well established in its area, can release a gentle hum that most beings can perceive. Many have said that this 'hum' is often reflective of their source elements, but that it is hard to characterize truly.

Smell

One individual elemental rarely produces a distinct smell, and many believed that the beings did not have an aromatic component until it was recorded that a large gathering of water elementals at Mizuan Lake in the Elemental Enclaves produced the scent of fresh rain and "dampness." It has not been confirmed that a large group is required to create any aromatic component from an elemental source.

Feeling

Those who are particularly sensitive to the elements can 'feel' when an elemental is near, regardless of the status of the balance. Anyone can train this, but it is considered a rare skill, even amongst the Elves. When the balance of an area with a large population of elementals is devastated, it has been recorded that even those who cannot generally perceive them can feel it.

Alternative Manifestations

Elementals can be adapted into different forms using artificial means. When moved, the elemental's appearance will quickly adapt to its new surroundings. Examples include adapting to various machines made by the Elves of the Elemental Enclaves to care for and utilize their abilities.

Conduits

These elementals become part of larger systems, flowing through and purifying aqueducts, acting as consistent heat sources for forges, providing stable air currents for ventilation, or adding stability to a structure. Elementals as conduits can be seen around the world, but primarily in the Elemental Enclaves, where the elves have long revered the elements.

Embedded into Tools

While doing so will destroy the essence of the elemental, their energy can be imbued into an object, granting it the power to perform tasks it normally couldn't. This is a temporary measure that lasts until the energy in the elemental has been used up. Elementals who have been embedded into objects still display colors of their source elements which are left as scars on the object itself.

Guardians

With the help of the Maiden, the Elven people learned to create balanced structures that housed Elementals, who then acted as passive guardians of the location. This can be used to protect homes, or to help protect important sites of balance.

Optimal Environment

There needs to be a trace of their source element for an elemental to survive. There are mixed accounts on just how much is needed though. Accounts have reported that water elementals have survived in the deserts of the Western Clan Lands due to underground springs, or that fire elementals thrive off the constant lightning in some parts of the ocean.

The Need for Balance

An area needs to remain in elemental balance for the species to survive. Elementals naturally support their surroundings and their source elements, which helps maintain balance, which in turn helps them grow stronger.

Ambient Energy

All life gives off energy, whether from the supposed 5th element of the Soul to the various elemental energies that help an elemental to manifest itself in the first place. Studies have shown that an elemental can feed off of any version of their source element, not just the source that they manifested from. This allows them to be relocated, whether from damaged areas or into cities, for use in other applications.

An elemental is merely a manifestation of an element and needs constant contact with said element and its energy. In the absence of its source, an elemental will quickly disperse or cease to exist.

Energy and the Balance

Elementals, in their symbiotic nature, help to strengthen their elements, thereby maintaining balance. In turn, they continue to manifest themselves by feeding off the energy around them. If the balance is threatened, the energy begins to degrade, weakening the manifestation of the elementals. With enough damage to the area, it is possible to destroy the energy flow and cut off any manifestation of elementals, further decaying the balance.

As manifestations of the elements, they do not have traditional biological cycles. They are formed when an area is in balance and other conditions are met. Elementals can survive indefinitely if the area is undisturbed and the balance is maintained.

However, Elementals can be 'used up' because they do not have unlimited power. They can also disperse once an area is completely balanced.

Strengthening Source Elements

Elementals have a passive influence on their environment, primarily existing to act as a stabilizing presence, subtly influencing their environment. Large groups of elementals can have enough 'subtle influence' to take a more active role, and there have been attempts by the Enorian Elves to use Elementals to restore the ravaged portions of the Storm Lands using this method. The results of this are inconclusive.

Water Elementals

• Purify Water
• Adjust Water Temperatures
• Regulate the Flow of Springs
• Prevent Excessive Erosion

Earth Elementals

• Prevent Soil Degradation
• Encourages Healthy Root Growth
• Ensures Stability of Geological Formations
• Nurtures Wildlife

Fire Elementals

• Causes Lightning
• Controlled Burns
• Volcanos
• Temperature Changes

Air Elemental

• Healthy Air Circulation
• Dissipate Unhealthy Miasmas
• Regulate Humidty

Defense

Elementals, as mere manifestations of elemental energy, do not have the sapient ability to mount a defense. Their failing energy does give off a "radiating unease" similar to a dying battery radiating heat. This unease was intended as a critical warning sign for sentient races to cease their activities.

Auralon I, referred to the Elemental Defense system as signs of nature's health, rather than an active source of defense.

Elementals can be found across the world of Eldux in various areas associated with their base elements: water, earth, fire, or air. However, abundance does not guarantee the creation of an elemental, as the vast oceans can spawn water, fire, or air elementals.