Elementalism is the art of understanding and mastering the substance of this world.
The science of elementalism claims that all things are composed out of elements. Not all schools agree which elements these are, though. Western schools vouch for air, earth, fire and water, while eastern traditions usually recognize air, fire, water, metal, and bamboo. On earth, elementalism is tied to the works of Aristotele and the world-view that he developed. Some elementalists believe in elemental planes, places where one element holds dominance over all others, but generally, elementalists are content with this existence.
Elementalism is not limited to the physical world. Our minds and bodies are also made up of elemental substances, or humors, which fundamentally affect who we are, what we do, and if we are well. Thus elementalists can affect living minds and bodies just as well as they can affect physical objects.
Elementalism is related to elemental magic, but elementalists often despise their more limited cousins. Certain branches of taoism and western alchemy is elementalism under different names.
Examples and References
Earthdawn elementalists, Al-Qadim sorcerers or sahers, historical alchemists.
Limitations
Hocus Pocus
An elementalist works with the elements in natural or refined form. Pure, dry sand, collected rain water, mountain air captured in immaculate containers and virgin flames burning the very finest oil are all parts of their craft. So is dancing, chanting, dramatic gestures and drama in general.
Obvious
Elementalists work with manifestations of the elements - both in pysical and mystic effects. So an elementalist trying to make someone angry would manifest fire, quite visibly.
Common Schticks
- Blast
- Conjuration
- Weather
Rare or prohibited Schticks
- Flux
- Darkness
- Law
- Light
- Metamagic
- Technomancy
- Time
Summonables
Elementals and humors - spirits of different moods.