Post by sera on Apr 4, 2009 16:09:51 GMT -8
Depending on your school of thought, there are either six or seven elements. Every element is tied to the others, feeding or dissolving. They are often listed in a star pattern, with five along the outside and one-- or two, depending on your beliefs-- on the inside.
The elements are listed in an order symbolic of their existence in reality, but no element is actually above the others; again, they are all linked together.
Plant, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water make up the outer edge of the star. Within is Air/Void. Some argue that Air and Void are the same element; Void being a lack of Air, thereby explaining the strengthening and weakening capabilities of the two Elements. Others say that they are two very different Elements as it is arguable that there is no Water where Fire exists and vice versa.
Whatever the 'real' answer, these two schools of thoughts hold very tightly to their beliefs and will not work together except under the most dire circumstances. Mages of the two different schools are known to be argumentative and often violent with each other.
Below are further explanations of the elements.
Plant
Racial Association: Elf
Strengthens: Fire, Earth
Weakens: Water, Metal
Plant feeds Fire and absorbs Water. It enriches Earth and breaks up Metal. Flexibility is a trait that is often associated with Plant.
Fire
Racial Association: Human
Strengthens: Metal, Earth
Weakens: Plant, Water
Fire eats Plant and refines Earth. It purifies Metal. Water is Fire's diametric opposite; they only weaken each other. Passion is a trait associated with Fire.
Earth
Racial Association: Dwarves
Strengthens: Metal, Plant
Weakens: Fire, Water
Earth forms Metal and smothers Fire. It nourishes Plant and withstands Water. Steadfastness is a trait often associated with Earth.
Metal
Racial Association: Dragons
Strengthens: Water, Fire
Weakens: Plant, Earth
Metal breaks Earth and directs Water. It cuts Plant and contains Fire. Stoicism is a trait associated with Metal.
Water
Racial Association: Merfolk
Strengthens: Plant, Earth
Weakens: Metal, Fire
Water grows Plant and rusts Metal. It shapes Earth. Water is Fire's diametric opposite; they only weaken each other. Mystery is a trait associated with Water.
Air
Racial Association: None
Strengthens: Plant, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
Weakens: None
Air strengthens the five outer Elements. Air is Void's diametric opposite, but rather than weakening the other Element, it nullifies it entirely. It is the second rarest of the elements. Spontaneity is a trait associated with Air.
Void
Racial Association: None
Strengthens: None
Weakens: Plant, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
Void weakens the five outer Elements. Void is Air's diametric opposite, but rather than weakening the other Element, it nullifies it entirely. It is the rarest of the elements. Chaos is a trait associated with Void.
The elements are listed in an order symbolic of their existence in reality, but no element is actually above the others; again, they are all linked together.
Plant, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water make up the outer edge of the star. Within is Air/Void. Some argue that Air and Void are the same element; Void being a lack of Air, thereby explaining the strengthening and weakening capabilities of the two Elements. Others say that they are two very different Elements as it is arguable that there is no Water where Fire exists and vice versa.
Whatever the 'real' answer, these two schools of thoughts hold very tightly to their beliefs and will not work together except under the most dire circumstances. Mages of the two different schools are known to be argumentative and often violent with each other.
Below are further explanations of the elements.
Plant
Racial Association: Elf
Strengthens: Fire, Earth
Weakens: Water, Metal
Plant feeds Fire and absorbs Water. It enriches Earth and breaks up Metal. Flexibility is a trait that is often associated with Plant.
Fire
Racial Association: Human
Strengthens: Metal, Earth
Weakens: Plant, Water
Fire eats Plant and refines Earth. It purifies Metal. Water is Fire's diametric opposite; they only weaken each other. Passion is a trait associated with Fire.
Earth
Racial Association: Dwarves
Strengthens: Metal, Plant
Weakens: Fire, Water
Earth forms Metal and smothers Fire. It nourishes Plant and withstands Water. Steadfastness is a trait often associated with Earth.
Metal
Racial Association: Dragons
Strengthens: Water, Fire
Weakens: Plant, Earth
Metal breaks Earth and directs Water. It cuts Plant and contains Fire. Stoicism is a trait associated with Metal.
Water
Racial Association: Merfolk
Strengthens: Plant, Earth
Weakens: Metal, Fire
Water grows Plant and rusts Metal. It shapes Earth. Water is Fire's diametric opposite; they only weaken each other. Mystery is a trait associated with Water.
Air
Racial Association: None
Strengthens: Plant, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
Weakens: None
Air strengthens the five outer Elements. Air is Void's diametric opposite, but rather than weakening the other Element, it nullifies it entirely. It is the second rarest of the elements. Spontaneity is a trait associated with Air.
Void
Racial Association: None
Strengthens: None
Weakens: Plant, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
Void weakens the five outer Elements. Void is Air's diametric opposite, but rather than weakening the other Element, it nullifies it entirely. It is the rarest of the elements. Chaos is a trait associated with Void.