The 5 elements compose the basis for all living and supernatural energy in the universe.
Aether
- Model of Control
- Turbid / Coercion
Aether is also known as Spirit, this element is a projection of all living things and it is the force the binds life together. Since aether is a unifying force, all 4 other elements must be combined in order to counter aether magic. This magic is also the most difficult to understand, control, and use. Since it is the basis for the energy of life it behaves, rather than simply exists. Aether has a fundamental willpower to it, almost as if the universe had an id and an ego, these forces would be inlaid into that of aether. The forces of aether are at once both separate from the other 4 elements but also the same. It is both a unique entity and a property of the other 4 combined. To master aether, one must be able to master all four of the other elements, only then can they attempt to directly feel the flows of spirit and life which surround and bind all living things together. It is the embodiment of the whole, the person, the animal, the plant, and the reason for it all to exist.
Since Aether is even more fundamental than any other form of magic, it cannot be directly controlled without mastering both Psionic and Magical Energy, which is nearly impossible for a mortal to possess access to both in sufficient quantities. Thus, manipulating the Aether directly requires carefully calculated disruptions in its normal flows, or Turbid control. Making the flow of Aether more chaotic in order to alter its path. A subset and more refined version of this, is that of coercion, which is exceptionally difficult to do with the Aether, it is itself a dominating force and always tends to change the environment around it, rather than be changed by its environment.
For details on other aspects of Aether see:
Derivative Elements / Forces
Aether can be further subdivided into specific areas. These are not elements in the traditional sense and are sometimes referred to as forces rather than elements, they are both different sides of Aether and thus life itself. When the derivative elements are in balance together the work in tandem as the energy of life itself. This is modeled within how Aether itself is controlled. A disruption in either of these forces can be catastrophic, but each for its own reason, described below. Even the most skilled manipulator of Aether generally does not know how to manipulate the forces of Aether directly, though there is no reason this could not be learned. Experimenting with these forces can be deadly as they effect the very nature of life itself.
Entropy
Entropy is the energy of change, or rather it is change itself. Entropy is embodied in using the turbid model of control to Aether where a person disrupts and changes the flow of Aether in order to pull it into a specific shape. Entropy is responsible for change, without it, life could not change, adapt, or grow through metamorphosis from one state into another. Since entropy is change, if entropy is out of balance and has more presence than harmony, life changes quickly, radically, mutating from moment to moment in explosive distortions of its original form.
Harmony
Harmony is the energy of stability, it is itself the quality of life to endure and continue. This is embodied in the coercion model of control to Aether where a person imposes an alternate order to change the flow of Aether rather than changing it through disruption. Harmony is responsible for the static and concrete aspects of life, those things which do not change. Without Harmony life would explode and fizzle out in a bright flash of chaos. Should harmony be out of balance and have more presence than entropy, life becomes static and still, refusing to change or adapt even when required.
The Force
What some term as The Force has been understood for the exceptionally rare people who are able to use both Psionic and Magical Energy. The Force allows someone to feel the flow of Aether directly. Aether itself is neutral when it is in balance. A person who can sense the flow of Aether would gain an innate sense of when this was the case. The two primary and opposing forces of Aether are Entropy and Harmony very similar to the ideas of Chaos and Order but neither are good or evil and both can be used for either purpose. This feels fundamentally different to a Force user than other realities in which the opposing forces have taken different shapes and forms.
Touching Aether
The ability to directly touch Aether is not without consequence. Aether is mutable but also stubborn, while it does not have an actual will in the sense of sentient life it has patterns, coersions, corruptions, and feeling. It behaves, those that can only use aspects of Aether are insulated from this effect. Touching Aether directly causes an intensification of the emotional push behind an action as well as the consequences of that action. In this way both the person effects the Aether and it effects the person. To a person touching Aether it feels as if they are feeding off of a given emotion and the Aether can become out of balance, becoming more chaotic with a higher entropy or more static with a higher harmony.
Effects of Balance
As noted elsewhere, Aether requires balance. A person who draws too much upon the Aether directly using harmony can throw themselves out of balance as well as the surrounding area and likewise for entropy. This can take a physical, emotional, and mental cost on the person as well as a cost on the surrounding area. A person sensitive to the Aether directly will always wish to be at balance, as imperfect beings people tend to believe that this means adhering more and more toward their understanding of the Aether which is in turn impacted by their emotions and actions. Thus neutrality and balance becomes more and more difficult to maintain.
Harmony Excess
- Emotional numbness
- Static ways of thinking
- Belief that things should not change / change is undesirable
- Loss of sense of self
- Excess of foresight
- Missing the obvious in favor of possible futures
- Increased need for direction from the Force
- Physical body ages slower
- Need to apply order to chaos
- Feeling of superior enlightenment / oneness with the Universe
Entropy Excess
- Increased chaotic feelings and mood swings
- Increased need for constant change
- Belief that things should be always changing
- Increased sense of self and isolation
- Lack of foresight
- Cannot see the forest for the trees
- Does not heed directions from the Force
- Physical body begins to present changes which reflect dominant emotional state
- Physical body ages / changes rapidly
- Does not always cause death, though can cause physical complications
- Need to apply chaos to order
- Feeling of superior personhood / agent for the good of the Universe
Basic Elements
Aether, being the primary force of life, is made up of these four elements, as such the derivative elements of Aether, also contain these four elements.
Fire
- Model of Control
- Dominance
This element is the natural opposing force to earth and thus fire magic can counter earth magic. Fire is the spark of creativity and life, its heat and light stave away the darkness and thus there is a strong sense of protection that goes with it. Fire is also a destructive force and dangerous, it can give life but also destroy it. It's power is wild and difficult to wield, it must be mastered or it will master its wielder. Fire is the embodiment of war, and destruction.
Wind
- Model of Control
- Coercion
This element is the natural opposing force to water and thus wind magic can counter water magic. Wind is all around everyone, it is ever present in all things and thus it is elusive and difficult to find. Once found, however, it can be more easily controlled and used than fire. While fire requires brute strength, wind requires calm and passivity. One must follow where the wind leads in order to lead the wind where they wish it. It embodies peace, energy, and magic. Wind can carry words away before they can be heard or they can carry words far enough to be heard.
Water
- Model of Control
- Submission
This element is the natural opposing force to fire and thus water magic can counter fire magic. Water is the most fundamental force of life itself, life cannot exist without it for more than a few days. Water is strong and powerful, but patient. It will wear down stone and earth over time creating chasms beyond belief, wash away those who do not respect it and take their lives as penance, all while it waters crops and nourishes the body. Water is never elusive nor will it respond to strength, you cannot grab water, as fingers will pass through it. Instead, to control water one must surrender to its power entirely, feel the rushing of its force around and then from within, only can it be controlled. Water is the embodiment of life and creation.
Earth
- Model of Control
- Dominance / Coercion
This element is the natural opposing force to wind and thus earth magic can counter wind magic. Earth is the foundation of all things, it supports and protects everything. Without the blessings of the earth crops would not grow and people would have no homes to live in. Earth is slow to move and change, it requires strength and cunning to master, moves must be planned ahead and decided on, for once earth is unleashed it is neigh impossible to stop. It is the embodiment of protection and purification.
Hybrid Elements
The Five basic elements do not exist in a vacuum, in fact they are part of a continuum which makes up all things around us.
Ice
- Model of Control
- Dominance & Submission
A combination of water and fire elements. Water quenches fire and turns it to ice while fire reforms water. A difficult force to master, one must dominate the fire while submitting to the water in order to control both.
Storms
- Model of Control
- Coercion & Submission
A combination of wind and water elements. Air pulls water into itself and when mixed, it forms storms and weather. Though this, one can access the elemental forces of thunder and lightening as well. Submitting to the force of water and using that to control the force of wind, easier to obtain control of than ice but still tricky.
Ice Storms
- Model of Control
- Turbid & Submission
A combination of wind, water, and fire elements are specialty of the elemental force of storms. Through this one can access blizzards and extreme cold. Difficult to master, mixing of these three elemental powers requires mastery over chaos and a delicate touch.
Wood
- Model of Control
- Turbid & Coercion
A combination of earth and water elements. Water feeds the earth and the earth grows plants and trees. Much of the essence of life and growth come from the mixture of earth and water. There is chaos in all life, to control the force of wood one must coerce through chaos and maintain control.
Paper
- Model of Control
- Coercion & Dominance
When earth, water, and wind are combined one can access the elemental force of paper. Paper is a powerful force, it records history, forms barriers, and allows for memory. A tricky art to master, one must force the chaos of wood into a form by pulling the pieces together through force of will.
Shadow
- Model of Control
- Turbid & Dominance
A combination of earth and wind elements. An elemental force of darkness and the unseen, the unknown. To master the elemental force of shadow, one must accept the chaos of an uncertain future then take control of the moment in the chaos.
Glass
- Model of Control
- Coercion
A combination of earth and fire elements. When mixed earth and fire create glass. Glass accesses protection and the creation of unseen barriers, looking classes, scrying, and soothsaying. Glass is the forcing of earth and fire into solid forms, it requires patient control and a light touch to master.
Metal
- Model of Control
- Domination
When earth, fire, and water are brought together one can forge earth and ice into metals and alloys. Controlled via powerful domination of forces, usually through physical strength.
Magic and Psionics
The energy involved in the use of magic and psionics are both fundamental branches of Aether, which is made up of the 4 base elements. Aether is the energy of all living things, which connects and binds them together - it is the source of all life energy. A user of magic pulls magical energy from the universe around them, or rather from the Aether round them. A psionic pulls energy from themselves, psionic energy is the Aether from within ones own living body and mind. As people both draw energy from and give energy to the Aether around them, so does balance be maintained from the life one has inside and the life one can see outside.
Balance and Consequences
Using Aether of any kind (psionic or magic) has a cost on the physical body. The more energy is used, either bey taking magical energy from the outside into the body or expelling psionic energy from the body to the outside world, has a definite cost to the body since that balance of energy must still be maintained. This uses the body's own physical strength and endurance to maintain the balance and wether the movement of Aether.