In the world of Myrrah, Elementals have the ability to control one of four elements. And then there is the forbidden gift of magic…
But what does that mean? What can you do if you are a Fire Elemental? How – or when – do you learn that you are?
The Order of Earth has a theory on that, one that is sanctioned by the Church of Four Orders of course! From their records, I present to you…
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Abilities of the Orders
A short treatise on skills
of those in the Four Orders
by
Acolyte Nibetta
Order of Earth
Temple of Solaire
Fire
The gift of fire is the greatest of all elements, for it is the strongest. It provides heat for warmth and cooking, as well as light to dispel darkness of mind and vision. Without the control of this element, we would be no better than the wild beasts that dwell on the Coast of Storms. When fire burns inside of us, it can inspire creativity, authority and passion.
There are many levels of skill for those in the Order of Fire. The first sign of a child holding this gift is often the ability to create a spark. Usually these are not strong enough to ignite flames. Several instances of infants as young as six months with the skill to create star-like orbs that would circle above their heads have been recorded. This early of a showing of strength and control is rare though and most Fire Elementals first encounter their gifts between the ages of four to eight. Weaker Elementals may not discover abilities until as late as fifteen.
All skill levels can achieve the creation of a spark long enough to start a flame. This defines the Elemental skill. Low-level skill allows the ability to control fire from causing its spread to snuffing out flames. Greater abilities are required to summon fire, rather than a mere spark, into being. The stronger the gift, the longer sparks and fire can be held in existence with abilities alone to fuel them. Truly adept Elementals can create balls of light without heat, cold fire, or areas of intense heat without flames.
The most powerful of all Fire Elementals hold the ability to defeat the other three elements. The most gifted can melt rock, evaporate water, and consume the air within an area with the strength of their gifts.
The core of this gift was located at the Temple of Incendia, in the caldera of the volcano of the island. It was lost when the Temple fell during the War of the Orders. It was said to have been very beautiful, resembling a blue-white star. For others, it could roar with heat and intense red flame. A core cannot be destroyed, for Mhyrah created it. The core of Fire must now reside on the ocean floor along with the drowned Temple, functioning as a beacon for fish.
Earth
The Order of Earth is the second greatest element to possess. With this ability, the stone bones of the world can be raised and shaped. The formation of houses, roads, and wooden ships are within an Earth Elemental’s ability. These things, like the element of fire, differentiate us from the untamed creatures. It is the element of earth that has made the cities and commerce of Myrrah possible.
Strong abilities in this element often manifest in a child by the age of two with the unconscious movement of small objects, especially stone. A week gift many not become apparent until the late teens. Typical discovery of this ability is between five to ten years of age.
Earth Elementals can manipulate minerals, stone, metals, and other ‘dead’ objects such as broken branches. The Kith, which are reasoned to be Earth Elementals, seem to be able to control plant growth. However, it is theorized this is due to their birth connection with trees granting them extra abilities. Weak skill consists of the ability to move objects with poor control of shaping.
Greater abilities include calling rocks from the soil, fine control of shaping objects, purification and shaping of metals, and the weaving of cloth. A group of strong Earth Elementals working together can create a city in a matter of days with little more than the ground beneath them. Gifted Elementals can change the density of objects, causing them to be lighter or heavier than normal. The strongest members of the Order of Earth can invoke earthquakes, some over a large area. It is believed the ability to raise islands out of the sea, or sink them, is possible.
By nature, Earth Elementals are calm and thoughtful. It was due to this trait that the Order of Earth became record keepers and housed the Great Library in the Temple of Stone. Even now within the Church of Four Orders, Earth Elementals are the recorders and transcribers, building a new library to replace the one lost.
The core of this Order is a perfectly round stone. It is constantly changing, depending on who views it. Nearly lost when the Temple of Stone fell during the War of the Orders, it is kept safe now by the Church of Four Orders. For most, it appears as a giant marble of moonstone, faintly glowing white. In the presence of some, it transitions into a granular stone with a smooth surface, sometimes laced with metals or veins of crystals. Without warning it can become highly magnetic.
Water
The gift of water is the third strongest ability. Its uses are limited and the need of this skill is less than fire or earth. Water children often find their ability by redirecting rivulets or altering puddles. Few Water Elementals discover their talents before the age of five. Ten or older is far more common for this gift to manifest.
The weakest Water Elementals retain the ability to move water. Stronger skills include increasing the density of water, purification by separating out particles, and the creation of rain. Most Water Elementals are useful for their ability to purify water or call rain for crops. A few of the strongest of the Order of Water were said to have the ability to freeze water, but no modern Water Elemental has displayed this proclivity. It is dubious what asset this skill would be other than for entertainment.
Water Elementals are often gifted with the ability to quickly learn languages. Directed and steadfast in purpose by nature, there are two Water Elements who sit on the Inner Council of the Church of Four Orders. There have never been more than four at one time.
The core of this element was said to be a sphere of the purest water. Records say that it could have a soft blue to lavender glow or that it would form a skin of ice. It was lost when the Temple of Mist fell soon after the defeat of the Temple of Stone. Through some spell of magic wielders, the Temple of Mist was locked into a frozen state and became the Temple of Ice. No one has found the core in the frigid remains of the Temple, but surely it is locked inside its crystalline embrace.
Air
Air Elemental by iriloth2
The Order of Air is the fourth and final Elemental skill. It is the weakest and least useful of the gifts given by Mhyrah. The greatest asset this ability provides is the steering of the ships sailing between the many ports. An Air Elemental of moderate skill can accomplish this task, and most Air Elementals once trained are stationed on merchant vessels.
Air Elemental traits are difficult to detect in children. Most often, it is a Priest or Priestess trained to recognize the gifts of Mhyrah that discovers a novice Air Elemental before the child or parent is aware. The rare adepts of this Order can summon strong storms, and, in one recorded instance, be able to hold themselves aloft. For such a gifted child, signs such as calming breezes or causing puffs to move chimes and leaves are apparent. Usually, a strong skill manifests by the age of eight. Weak skills may never develop enough to be of interest in training by the Church.
The core of this Order was a dense ball of air, said at times to be like a lens that warped objects seen through it. At other times, it could be turbulent and swirling, hosting faint colors. It is believed the core dissipated when the Temple of Winds fell, for no record of it since that time has been found.
Air Elements often have a keen gift for sight, both distance and insightfulness. For this reason, a member of the Order of Air has always been a member of the Inner Council despite the weakness of this gift.
Magic
Magic is the tainted skill, the pollution of Mhyrah’s gifts. Unlike the abilities of Elementals, its power allows the user to control living things. Magic wielders can cause plants to grow and can change forms, even their own. Life and the form we take were determined by Mhyrah and should not be corrupted by mortals.
No defined rules or age of onset has ever been recorded for this dreaded ‘gift,’ beyond the wielders’ ability to pervert living forms. Records indicate that magic wielders can use mind speech, move objects, change forms, control animals, and alter elements in ways similar to Elementals, but across multiple elements. Occasional Elementals have been born possessing abilities in two elements, but never more. The idea that one person could hold abilities in all of Mhyrah’s great gifts and be able to manipulate her creations displays what an abomination it is to possess this ability.
As this skill is a taint and corruption of Mhyrah’s will, it holds no core. The Church of Four Orders has sought to rid the world of this evil. It is kept in check now and no longer threatens the great cities, towns, and races. If left untended, who knows to what lengths the carriers of this cursed ability would endeavor.
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