Elemental Magic

Elemental Magic is a category of magic that deals with particular forces that shapes the world. Those are called Elements. The gist of Elemental Magic includes, but doesn't limit to: Generating, Controlling, and Absorbing one or more Elements. An Elementalist is the usual title a mage is given if he/she specialize in Elemental Magic. This doesn't mean that an Elementalist can generate, control, and absorb Elements. Some can only do one, some can only do two, and few can do three.

However, that doesn't said mage is limited to only one Element. The term given to the Element is only a broad term, and not a limit. For example, Fire Magic doesn't deal with fire exclusively, it can deal with as well with flames as with heat, body temperature, lava (found over the earth's crust), and a few more.

Likewise, Elemental Magic doesn't mean you can only use one Element in one way. For example, Water and Ice. Water simply refers on the phases of water, while Ice simply refers on cold, where ice is very abundant. A water mage can turn water into ice, simply by turning the water from liquid state to solid state. In the same fashion, an ice mage can turn a wall of ice into steam by syphoning all the cold around it to the point of turning into vapor.

However, this also means that an Element may have a few exclusive way of working. For example, a water mage can't use a freezing blast, as it freezes the opponent via cold, not water. As an alternative, he/she would have to surround his opponent in water THEN turn the water into solid state, which is ice. In the same fashion, an ice mage would can't make it rain as effectively. He/she would have to freeze the water particles in the cloud to force them to fall, then syphon their cold to make it rain. In short, compatible Elements can do pretty much the same thing, simply one can do one thing faster and more effectively than the other.

In the same fashion, it is possible to, for example, create a portal with fire magic. The mage simply uses fire as a medium to create a portal between two location. Inter-dimensional, Intra-dimensional, and other types of portal can be used through Elemental Magic. However, it doesn't mean it is as easy using Wind Magic to create a portal than it is with Dimensional, usually it's harder with Elemental Magic. The same is true for summoning. Usually, it is easier to summon a fire creature with fire magic, but it's not impossible to call a nature creature with fire, it's just very difficult.

The downside of Elemental Magic is that it is fairly complex, and usually takes a long time to master even a single Element. In addition, most Elementalists who focuses on multiple Elements will never be able to master all his Elements. However, masters of Elemental Magic find it very rewarding, as often one mastered Element alone is a force even for giant predators to reckon.

There are many types of Elements, but here are nine that are commonly used, as well as a broad field of what their magic applies to and the name of a mage who focus almost exclusively to that Element. Keep in mind that the rules are highly variable from one school of magic to another one, and no one is absolute. Those are simply examples of what that type of magic can do.

Fire: Pyromancers can generate, control, and/or absorb fire, heat, lava (above earth's crust) and anything related to high temeratures. A Pyromancer can heat up something, or syphon its heat as well, the same goes for flames and lava (above earth's crust). Pyromancers also possess control over geothermal activities.

Water: Hydromancers can generate, control, and/or absorb water in its three phases, solid, liquid, and vapor. A Hydromancer can turn water into ice as easily as turning vapor into water and the same goes for all of the water cycle. They can also control the pressure a lake for example can exert on someone.

Wind: Aeromancers can generate, control, and/or absorb what can be found primarily in the air. They can use sound waves, control the velocity wind moves as well as its force, and the atmospheric pressure.

Earth: Geomancers can generate, control, and/or absorb minerals, the terrain, and magma (below earth's crust). Geomancers range of control is basically the ground and the underground such as stones, metals, sand, gems, and more. In addition, Geomancers are capable of controlling geoseismic activities, and any kind of geo- activities.

Lightning: Electromancers can generate, control, and/or absorb electrical activities. Electromancers can use electiricty to produce electromagnetism activity as well. Their range of electrical control can range from calling forth thunderstorms, to generating electrical forcefields, to take control of machinery, to much more. Electromancer also can control geomagnetic activities.

Ice: Cryomancers can generate, contol, and/or absorb cold based substances. Cryomancers specializes in freezing stuff, most of the time, water particles in the air, via cold temeparatures. This means they have a better control with ice and snow, but can syphon their cold to turn them into water. A Cryomancer means someone who can control things that is cold. They CAN control water, but is easier if said water is sub-zero water. Cryomancers are notorious for their freezing abilities.

Nature: Biomancers can generate, control, and/or absorb living matter. Nature doesn't limit itself to plants, though it's the most used school, it actually govern any living, organic matter. Controlling plants, trees, and nature itself is the most used form of Nature Magic Biomancers use, but it can also controls the process of organic matters. Usually, anything under animal intelligence is susceptible to Biomancers.

Light: Photomancers can generate, control, and/or absorb all types of light and photon. Photomancers also controls sunlight and moonlight, with the latter being very often omitted. Most Photomancers are able to turn its light concussive, and generates special effects.

Shadow: Scotomancers can generate, control, and/or absorb shadows and darkness. Scotomancers can control the ambient darkness and the absence of light. The term Shadow Magic is interchangeable with Dark Magic. Most scotomancers can control their shadow and turn it into a deadly weapon.

Sean Okotami wrote:

Elemental Magic is a category of magic that deals with particular forces that shapes the world. Those are called Elements.

This is a good start, however "Elemental Magic is a broad subcategory of magic that deals..." is more accurate. It's not just a matter of nitpicking, but we can go into the particulars later. The definition of Elements you give works alright, but it should be noted that they're somewhat arbitarily defined.

Sean Okotami wrote:

The gist of Elemental Magic includes, but doesn't limit to: Generating, Controlling, and Absorbing one or more Elements. An Elementalist is the usual title a mage is given if he/she specialize in Elemental Magic.

This is also a pretty good definition, but I'll again suggest a change in wording; "Generating, Controlling, an Absorbing one or more Elements; as well as performing specific acts through elemental effects." Again, the distinction is important to particular styles of magic.

Sean Okotami wrote:

This doesn't mean that an Elementalist can generate, control, and absorb Elements. Some can only do one, some can only do two, and few can do three.

Okay, this is where we start to run into problems. You are starting to get very specific, and that does not work for a general framework of Elemental Magic. You can say that within the particular system of magic you're designing, what you just said is true; however, in other elemental systems it might not apply.

On another world, EVERYONE might have the ability to generate, control, and absorb ALL elements; to them, that is what a "real" Elementalist should be able to do. But likewise, that only applies to people operating under that particular system of magic. Stay away from absolutes for now.

Sean Okotami wrote:

However, that doesn't said mage is limited to only one Element. The term given to the Element is only a broad term, and not a limit. For example, Fire Magic doesn't deal with fire exclusively, it can deal with as well with flames as with heat, body temperature, lava (found over the earth's crust), and a few more.

This is all good; nice, broad, and it accepts multiple possibilities (different types of Fire-based Magic) while not strictly ruling things out.

Sean Okotami wrote:

Likewise, Elemental Magic doesn't mean you can only use one Element in one way. For example, Water and Ice. Water simply refers on the phases of water, while Ice simply refers on cold, where ice is very abundant. A water mage can turn water into ice, simply by turning the water from liquid state to solid state. In the same fashion, an ice mage can turn a wall of ice into steam by syphoning all the cold around it to the point of turning into vapor.

This is workable, but you're starting to fall back into the trap of trying to define elements exactly, when they are subjective concepts. Seperate Water and Ice elements only exist for those who percieve them to be seperate; To a mage who makes no distinction between Water and Ice, there is no seperate "Ice Element". An Ice Elemental (the spirit) would merely be a subtype of Water Elemental, to that person, and Ice Magic would merely be a type of Water Magic. Ice and Water can be seperate elements to some mages, and they can be facets of the same element to other mages.

Sean Okotami wrote:

However, this also means that an Element may have a few exclusive way of working. For example, a water mage can't use a freezing blast, as it freezes the opponent via cold, not water. As an alternative, he/she would have to surround his opponent in water THEN turn the water into solid state, which is ice.

Be very careful when going into specifics on what magic can and can't do; you're no longer talking about elemental magic over all, but a particular system of elemental magic. There are water mages who can use freezing blasts; just because they can not under the system of magic you have in mind does not mean they do not exist anywhere else. Again, this isn't just me being nitpicky, there is a distinction I am trying to get you to see.

Sean Okotami wrote:

In the same fashion, an ice mage would can't make it rain as effectively. He/she would have to freeze the water particles in the cloud to force them to fall, then syphon their cold to make it rain.

What I said above applies here as well. You are talking about one specific type of Ice Elemental magic, not how all Ice Elementalists do things.

Sean Okotami wrote:

In short, compatible Elements can do pretty much the same thing, simply one can do one thing faster and more effectively than the other.

This is a nice point, and emphasizes versatility. Not much to say other than I like it.

Sean Okotami wrote:

In the same fashion, it is possible to, for example, create a portal with fire magic. The mage simply uses fire as a medium to create a portal between two location. Inter-dimensional, Intra-dimensional, and other types of portal can be used through Elemental Magic. However, it doesn't mean it is as easy using Wind Magic to create a portal than it is with Dimensional, usually it's harder with Elemental Magic. The same is true for summoning. Usually, it is easier to summon a fire creature with fire magic, but it's not impossible to call a nature creature with fire, it's just very difficult.

As above, I like it. You're doing a much better job of putting your ideas into words here.

Sean Okotami wrote:

The downside of Elemental Magic is that it is fairly complex, and usually takes a long time to master even a single Element. In addition, most Elementalists who focuses on multiple Elements will never be able to master all his Elements. However, masters of Elemental Magic find it very rewarding, as often one mastered Element alone is a force even for giant predators to reckon.

Again, you're starting to go into specifics. It's still general enough that I won't make a big deal out of it, but there are some systems of Elemental Magic where mages learn to use several or even all elements equally, and even master all of them. Again, Avatar: The Last Airbender is an example. But for these purposes, it's fine to leave it at that.

Sean Okotami wrote:

There are many types of Elements, but here are nine that are commonly used, as well as a broad field of what their magic applies to and the name of a mage who focus almost exclusively to that Element. Keep in mind that the rules are highly variable from one school of magic to another one, and no one is absolute. Those are simply examples of what that type of magic can do.

Hrm... you're back on specifics again. I'm not saying that you can't use these ideas you have, but you really need to specify that they're each a specific system of magic themselves, or part of one specific system of magic. Come up with a name for it, like... uh... Allerian Elementalism (or anything else), and note that the following applies strictly to Allerian Pyromancy, Hydromancy, etc. Do not try and define these types as a standard for how all Elemental Magic works; that will not go well.

I clipped the rest, but I did read over it. My suggestion is to go back and refine this idea further; split it up into two sections, one regarding Elemental Magic in general, and then one regarding the specific system (With a name! It needs a name!) of Elemental Magic you are trying to create. You can then break it down further into the different schools of (insert name here) Elementalism. Hope this advice is helpful.

That's more your department. My job is to only put on drafts.

Sean Okotami wrote:

That's more your department. My job is to only put on drafts.

Awww, come on, you must have some ideas! Besides, my Muse has been threatening to go on strike lately; something about being underpaid, underappreciated, and lack of a dental plan. Really don't know what the heck she's talking about.

I suppose I can try to come up with an elemental system or two later this evening, but it'll have to be after I get back from the movies. Any special requests for me to work in, since we're on the subject?

Not really. The system I have in mind is pretty particular, but I'll upload it at a later date.

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Magic systems.


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Quantum, if you want help, my muse is always more than happy to fiddle with magic systems!

Fine....

Elemental Magic is a broad sub-category of magic that deals with particular forces present in the world. The word "Element" designate those forces as being primordial to the nature of a world. The gist of Elemental Magic can be broadly defined as performing specific acts with the elements. An Elementalist is the usual title a mage is given if he/she specialize in Elemental Magic.

However, that doesn't mean said mage is limited to only one Element. The term given to the Element is only a broad term, and not a limit. For example, Fire Magic doesn't deal with fire exclusively, it can deal with as well with flames as with heat, body temperature, lava (found over the earth's crust), and a few more.

Likewise, Elemental Magic doesn't mean you can only use one Element in one way. For example, it's as possible to extinguish flames with Fire Magic as with Water Magic. And the reverse is true. Water Magic can dry up a lake as possibly as Fire Magic can. In short, all Elements can do pretty much the same thing, simply one can do one thing faster and more effectively than the other.

In the same fashion, it is possible to, for example, create a portal with fire magic. The mage simply uses fire as a medium to create a portal between two location. Inter-dimensional, Intra-dimensional, and other types of portal can be used through Elemental Magic. However, it doesn't mean it is as easy using Wind Magic to create a portal than it is with Dimensional, usually it's harder with Elemental Magic. The same is true for summoning. Usually, it is easier to summon a fire creature with fire magic, but it's not impossible to call a nature creature with fire, it's just very difficult.

The downside of Elemental Magic is that it is generally fairly complex, and usually takes a long time to master even a single Element. The other drawback is that the schools of Elemental Magic possess very variable rules and teaching from one school to another. This means that there is no perfect system of Elemental Magic, as one school may be great for certain situations, but horrible for others, while another one may good all-around, but may never really excel in one particular area, while another one can master all of its school's Elements, but takes a very long time to master them all. Again, it's highly variable from one world, system, or school of Elemental Magic. In short, there is no real specific rules governing every single schools of Elemental Magic. This can be seen as an advantage, giving you the Element of Surprise, but that also means if used incorrectly, its strength might be disappointing. However, masters of Elemental Magic often find it very rewarding, as often one mastered Element alone is a force even for giant predators to reckon.






Is it better now? And the pun?

Yes. Yes, it is.

Which type of Element a school of Elemental Magic may teach is again highly variable. Here are some examples of what is considered Elements in some schools:

Fire, Water, Ice, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Gravity, Poison, Nature, Metal, Light, Dark, Acid, Plasma, Mist, Holy, Unholy, Chaos, Celestial, Negative, Void.

There are a lot, lot more, but those are only a few.

Depending on the school of magic, you may not be taught every single of these Elements. Some system only teaches four Elements, some teaches nine, some teaches two, and some teaches six. Again, there's no absolute "number" of Elements a school can teach. It's very rare that you'll find a school teaching all Elements, as what is considered an "Element" isn't specific to every world, but it can be possible.

Another thing that differs among schools of Elemental Magic are Elements being seen as a sub-type of another Element. In some schools of Elemental Magic, Water; Mist; and Ice are all Water Elemental Magic, as they are simply different phases of Water. But in some other schools, Ice and Water Magic are treated as separate Elements. Another example is that in some schools, Metal is a sub-type of Earth Magic, while on some others, both are separate Elements. There exists more possible combination of sub-types in some schools, such as Fire and Ice being treated as the same, refering to hot and cold.

Another aspect about Elements is that in some schools may teach the same Element, but are given different names. This can be confusing, as there are no definite name for an Element. Sometimes, the different name may refer to a sub-type, while other times it's the whole Element. One example is calling Dark Element, Shadow Element. Another example is calling Wind Element, Air Element. Or Lightning Element, Thunder Element.

Also, controlling the Elements isn't specifically limited to magicians. Psionics can as easily learn Elements as a magic. Using an Element through magic is often refered as -mancy, such as Photomancy. While using an Element through psionism is often refered as -kinesis, such as Photokinesis. An Elementalist that uses Photomancy would usually be refered as a Photomancer, while an Elementalist that uses Photokinesis would usually be refered as a Photokinetic. There is no specific rules to a school of Elemental kinetic, just like Elemental magic. However, the one thing that governs the two are the usual pros and cons of magic and psionism, such as magic being variable in power depending on the environment, and psionism being vulnerable to head/brain/mental damage.

Just a little remark, thunder and air based school can teach both lightening and wind based magic because lightening can be generate by wind

Quote :

There exists more possible combination of sub-types in some schools

gwadahunter2222 wrote:

Just a little remark, thunder and air based school can teach both lightening and wind based magic because lightening can be generate by wind

Yes, but that's more a trait of specific systems of magic, not a general truth. Sean covered it the right way, since he acknowledged that it varies depending on the practicioner. Some mages are taught both lighting- and wind-based magic as one, and some are taught only one other the other.

Sean Okotami wrote:

Depending on the school of magic, you may not be taught every single of these Elements. Some system only teaches four Elements, some teaches nine, some teaches two, and some teaches six. Again, there's no absolute "number" of Elements a school can teach. It's very rare that you'll find a school teaching all Elements, as what is considered an "Element" isn't specific to every world, but it can be possible.

Another thing that differs among schools of Elemental Magic are Elements being seen as a sub-type of another Element. In some schools of Elemental Magic, Water; Mist; and Ice are all Water Elemental Magic, as they are simply different phases of Water. But in some other schools, Ice and Water Magic are treated as separate Elements. Another example is that in some schools, Metal is a sub-type of Earth Magic, while on some others, both are separate Elements. There exists more possible combination of sub-types in some schools, such as Fire and Ice being treated as the same, refering to hot and cold.

This is very clearly stated, and more or less what I've been trying to say (with way more words than I needed to use, I guess. )

An "Element" is a pretty arbitarily defined thing; it's just a particular aspect of the Universe, singled out as a specific "thing" with certain properties ascribed to it. This is why two people who use different systems of magic may find it impossible to agree on the number and types of elements that exist; to each of them, their answer is "right" because of the simple fact that it's how they learned how to do things, and their magic works... proving it to be true.

If their magic suddenly stopped working or started working differently, then they might have to reassess things, but as long as they can continue to do the same things in the same way, someone else's theory of the elements is just an interesting side note that has no bearing on the mage himself/herself.

Mirukani wrote:

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Magic systems.


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Quantum, if you want help, my muse is always more than happy to fiddle with magic systems!

Sure. It's a hobby of mine, as well... in fact, she's interested enough to get her butt back to work.

I'm actually doing pretty good right now, because I'm adapting an earlier idea I had. I've got a mostly functional basic framework right now, just need to refine it a bit. It'd help if someone- looking at you, Sean- gave me about ten or twelve specific elements they'd like to see used (just for starters, more could always be added later) in this magic system.

Anyone interested? Anyone?

Give me something to work with, people!