This is a collection of accounts on Elemental Magic.
The information below is considered factual in the RP, first described by Ashtyn Ninetails' character. Other Lismore Lands Staff Members knowledgeable in this matter are welcome to add to the information here.
Characters researching on this subject can use this information as official canon information in the RP. IC, this book is a collection of accounts from scholars regarding this subject.
For OOC discussion, refer to this topic http://sculptyworks.com/lismore/index.php?topic=266.0
INTRODUCTION TO ELEMENTAL MAGIC
Elemental magic is magic that uses, or harnesses the energy of the classical 4 elements: FIRE, AIR, EARTH, WATER. There is a 5th element, the element of AETHER, which deserves special mention because it is an element not alike to the classic 4.
There are also sub-elements: LIGHT, LIGHTNING, DARKNESS, WOOD, and some scholars divide elements in even more categories, but ultimately they are all derivate of the primary 4.
There are many ways elemental magic can manifest itself. Some beings are made of elemental energy, which congealed in the form of a living creature (an elemental), while others have an innate ability or supernatural link to elemental energies, and others develop the talent to use elemental energy through indirect means.
Elemental energies can also manifest themselves without a conscious mind directing them, sometimes as a reaction to an overload of a certain type of elemental magic in a living being or area, sometimes through inexplicable apperance or accumulation of such energies. Certain places are prone to develop elemental energy hotspots without any proper explanation as to why or how.
THE FOUR ELEMENTS
The classic 4 elements can be illustrated in a chart that hopes to classify and show the interaction between them, as seen below:
(http://www.sculptyworks.com/Images/Forums/Elements.jpg)
Elements have gender polarity: Some are more relatable to the masculine gender, others are more relatable to the feminine gender. It's not entirely clear how that affects those who tap into elemental power, but usually there's no conscious choice for masculine or feminine elements.
The biggest ring contains the foremost characteristics of each element, and in some cases, some characteristics are strong enough to be considered sub-elements themselves. Some cultures see sub-elements as main elements. The order of the characteristics is not random. The closest a characteristic is to the center of the ring under its corresponding element, the stronger the association with that element. Characteristics that are close to the border of another element are said to have a strong influence from that other element, and in some cases they can actually overlap.
On the inner rings, first we have properties of the elements (for example, Earth is primarily dry and secondarily cold); then, the time of the day the element is associated with, with the season of the year the element is associated with. Similar properties can be found on the ring with the name of the elements, where they meet with another element, expressing the effect the conjunction produces.
The innermost quarters of the circle have the cardinal directions the elements are associated with.
At the very center, the element of aether encompasses the things that are not of this world, such as spirits, gods, and other possible types of magic not related to any elemental force listed here.
LEARNING ELEMENTAL MAGIC
(according to Ashtyn Ninetails of Lismore)
Wielding elemental magic is basically the same as wielding pretty much any kind of magic: It all depends on your willpower.
Elemental magic is highly discriminative, and most of the time does not like to mix with other types of magic or even other types of elements. To have control over more than one element is a rare gift.
Learning to control elemental powers varies in difficulty from person to person.
- An Elemental is most likely to wield its magic just as a normal person wields a personal talent without ever giving it a thought that they are doing something not everybody else is capable of doing.
Elementals tend to be completely restricted to the control of ONE element. A fire elemental that can control the element of water is unheard of.
Because elemental magic is part of the intrinsic nature of an elemental, it tends to be easy for them to use their powers in varied ways, thus learning or developing what seem like new spells.
Some may learn on their own how to give various forms to their energy, others need to be taught how to or what to concentrate on to use their powers, but for them to learn to use their magic is comparable to training a normal person to execute a certain task, such as riding a horse, playing flute, or fighting with a sword. Elementals by nature possess everything necessary to develop their magical abilities to great levels of power.
- Magically adept beings may or may not be able to learn to use their intrinsic magical properties in the form of, or to control elemental forces. While their willpower is the starting point to tap into elemental forces, countless factors will determine if they are capable or not of creating or controlling them.
Some theorize that the intrinsic nature of these individuals may or may not be compatible or have access to elemental forces. While it is likely that they may learn to use, or control one or more elemental forces, they will never master them to the levels that an elemental can (but that doesn't mean they can not become powerful mages).
Ashtyn of Lismore has been known to teach visualization techniques together with intense concentration to help magically adept beings to tap into elemental forces, but no case is typical, and the methods might need to be adapted depending on a student's level of aptitude and their bias towards their own methods of wielding their magic.
Ashtyn's Method for Magically Adept Beings:
Ashtyn's method begins with familiarizing the student with the nature and the feel of the element they wish to learn to wield. A simple way for that is to provide the student with a mana crystal that is attuned to the element in question. The student should attempt to reach out with his mind and feel the energy that makes up the crystal. At this stage there is a chance that the mana crystal will explode if the student's own energies are not compatible with the element, or if his methods of metaphysical perception are not the most delicate.
Note that no beginner student can accidentally cause a mana crystal larger than a pea to explode, but even at such small sizes, the crystal should never be held by anyone, because it will still cause injuries even at that size.
Also note that nobody should attempt to learn with a crystal larger than a pea. There are too many possible ill side-effects for a beginner to attempt with to learn with too much mana.
Once the student becomes familiar with the feeling of the element, the next step is to attempt to control it. Visualization and willpower are essential in this step. The student should learn to use the elemental energy from the mana crystal to perform simple tasks associated with the element they are learning. At this step, there is a very high probability of causing the mana crystal to explode. A student may go through a dozen pea-sized crystals before they manage to succeed. From there on, it's all a matter of practice, practice, practice, and more practice!
Through much practice, the student should become capable of sensing elemental energy that happens from sources in the surroundings, and distinguishing between those that can be manipulated and those that can't. If the student possesses intrinsic elemental energy, they should be able to sense, identify, and utilize it, thus going from requiring an external source (such as mana crystals) to being able to use their own magic.
A magically adept being wishing to learn control over elemental magic is likely to require intense meditation and concentration, to familiarize themselves with the element they seek to wield. Ultimately, the student will need to impose their will upon the elemental force they wish to wield, so that they may control it. That can be done in countless ways, through different thought processes, emotions, gestures and even incantations.
Different types of magic are not always compatible, and that will ultimately determine if even with proper training a student can get a grasp on elemental energy.
- Non-Magically Adept beings are the ones who will have the hardest time learning and controlling any type of elemental energy. It's unheard of any non-adept being able to impose their willpower alone on elemental energy. Because of how their lifeforce is intrinsically disconnected from the world of magical energies, it's extremely hard for them to even sense them at work, let alone try to wield them.
Non-adepts are capable of utilizing elemental energies if those are contained in a medium that they can wield, such as a magical amulet/talisman, and in some exceptional cases, in the form of magical spells that require simply that someone utter the magic words for the spell to be cast.
This is by no means 'control' of the elemental energies, it's merely the utilization of them without a direct connection to such.
Some non-adepts who are sensitive to metaphysical manifestations may be able to influence these self-contained expressions of elemental energy, but such is very dangerous to their health as it may mingle with their lifeforce in the process, usually with very unpleasant, unhealthy, or unfortunate results.
It's highly advisable that anyone attempting to learn to wield elemental magic should do it under the supervision of a master in the subject.