RPG Info: Elements

MrXLink · Dec 15, 2009 5:59 PM

Hey guys, let's make an element list here, for the ones that do not know about the various elements that are used in RPs, like fire, earth, wind, water, light, darkness etc. I think it'll come in handy for newcomers to RPs or people who want to know more about it. If this doesn't work out as I expect, I accept this thread to be deleted.

Anyway, let me start with the 4 ancient elements, as described in many RPs (not specifically on this website), and anyone can add more elements if he/she wants to. Spyro elements are a must, so gimme your stories and I'll add them to the list. Use as much of your fantasy knowledge as possible! Thx in advance!

Ancient Elements
The 4 elements of Light, Darkness, Time and Space. Those 4 are essential and without the four of them, no world could ever exist. They need each other, they need to be in balance. According to legends, they are the oldest group of elements, so everything started with those four. Because it are the ancient elements, they are the most complex and hard to explain or change, and therefore the most difficult to be mastered or to control. If something is changed in a wrong way, terrible things could happen, maybe even leading to world distortion or destruction. The four are perfectly in balance, and everything is done to keep it like that, although darkness opposes. The elements are strong against each other, but are also weak to each other, which is complex and weird.

[glow=darkblue:0d20a60c68]Time[/glow:0d20a60c68]
Together with Space the oldest of the four. Nothing could exist without time or space, and therefore they must have existed at the same time. Time flows at a certain pace and can't be stopped. Time is mercyless and inexplainable. It flows wherever you go, and it can't be stopped easily. However, few magicians (and Dragons etc.) have learned how to control it or a bit of it. They can use temporal magic which is a type of magical arts that is difficult to explain. They can time travel, stop or even slow down or fasten the flow of time temporary. It is not meant that anyone should control time, it was originally an element which had to be incontrollable like destiny, but it wasn't. As a controller of time, you must be knowledgable and know what happens if you change either future or past. Stopping time is not easy, and if it works, you need to know that you just lived longer than the rest around you and they do not know anything. The most risky element of them all. Change anything with it and the results will be enormous.

[glow=indigo:0d20a60c68]Space[/glow:0d20a60c68]
Together with Time the oldest element. It could not exist without time, neither could time exist without space, so they must have been created at the same time. Space is the most complex and weird element. Without space we would never exist. The world you see around you is all created by space. Some elements known as Gravity or Nothingness, who are told to be specific elements, are all part of the grand element of space. When space is unstable, you can better watch out: every step you take could lead to your end. Also here, only few magicians have ever mastered the element of space, also known as spatial magic. Spatial magicians can move objects freely without force, can float and make portals to other worlds, like time. Space can be distorted, but it's extremely dangerous and difficult. Magicians who tried this have mostly died. Some black holes were created by spatial magicians and swallowed their worlds. Changing space is changing your world. Modify it and you can change the world, but also here, it is risky. Any mistake could let people die.

[glow=white:0d20a60c68]Light[/glow:0d20a60c68]
The youngest of the four. Light, the "good" magic, was there to control darkness, and darkness was there to control Light, they were supposed to be in balance. Light is the easiest of the four to master. Many priests can actually use a lot of Light spells. The Light can be holy magic, or just bright light (beams). Without light, no one could see anything. It's not only the name of the "good" magic, but also of light itsself, luminous objects, for example. As the fear of darkness, it is mostly victorious. This is logical: it's the youngest of the four and therefore it could correct mistakes in older elements better and it is the most powerfull. Light and Darkness are known to let life exist and strengthen time and space. As already told, Light is mostly mastered by priests or holy beasts. It is a gift from nature. Light can enlighten, heal, illuminate and expell darkness, for example. That last one is the most difficult job of any unit that is on the side of Light. It looks so easy to control, but it really isn't. It is the easiest of the four, but not the easiest of all the elements. Light mainly stands for equality, peace and life.

[glow=black:0d20a60c68]Darkness[/glow:0d20a60c68]
After Time and Space, Darkness was brought to life. Mainly is was an element to keep the other two stable and in balance, but lead to domination and "bad" things. It is hard to explain why darkness is needed to create life, but no one could ever imagine a world without darkness. The darkness became too powerfull, wanted might and took over the worlds like it was supposed to do. Without darkness, death would never be there and light would always be there. The mystery of all elements. Hard to describe. Darkness brings feelings to living beings like envy, hate, vengeance or power. Darkness still corrupts light beings today, leading to more power to the element, which can lead to endless battles, but to solve that, there was Light, Darkness' greatest enemy. Dark magicians can, for examble, control gravity, shadows, vanish into shadows, etc. The Moon was a source of light that watches over the darkness at night, but doesn't help a lot. darkness is most powerfull at night. No one can manipulate darkness since leaders of darkness have darkness in themselves and therefore they do not control it. Darkness is pretty difficult to master, like time and space, but easier. Not as easy as light. Darkness mainly stands for shadows, death, power and mystery.

-----------------------------------------
Natural Weaknesses and Strengths
Here's a list of the current elements and their natural weaknesses and strengths.

Weaknesses
Time < Space
Space < Time
Light < Darkness
Darkness < Light

Strengths
Time > Space
Space > Time
Light > Darkness
Darkness > Light

End of the list. I hope it is helpfull for the RP'ers! (Sticky???)

NOTE: Remember that this is only a guideline for choosing elements etc. This does not mean that this IS the total "good" system, since everyone has his/her own opinion about elements.

Phoenix_Flyer · Dec 15, 2009 9:54 PM

Wow Link, that was actually really good, and it helped me. I didn't know about the ancient elements....
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and try to be helpful by adding in info about the elements we're most familiar with.

The Classical Elements
The most well-known elements; earth, water, fire and air. They are the simplest forms of all matter and everything is said to be one or a combination of these states of matter. However, they are considered 'earthly' and are therefore corruptible.

Air
Traditionally often seen as the 'pure' element, it is fundamentally important to all life. It is associated with the season of spring and the direction east, its colour is [glow=yellow:e6af975a94]yellow[/glow:e6af975a94]. Includes the star signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.
When charged it is lightning when depleted it is a vaccuum.
Powers which are usually associated with air are wind, sound, the clouds and invisibility.
Abilities which creatures of air would typically have are:
-Fast speed
-Grace, generally being very good at manouvering.
-Excellent stamina

Weakness: Fire
Strength: Earth

Water
Traditionally it is commonly associated with intuition or emotion, it is another element which is important to all forms of life. Associated with the season of autumn and the direction west, its colour is [glow=blue:e6af975a94]blue[/glow:e6af975a94]. Includes the star signs: Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer.
When charged it is steam, when depleted it is salt.
Powers associated with water are waves and the ocean, rain, ice and mist.
Abilities which creatures of water would typically have are:
-Beautiful singing voices
-Power

Weakness: Earth
Strength: Fire

Earth
Traditionally it is associated with practicality, it is the home and origin of humanity. It's associated with the season winter and the direction north, its colour is [glow=green:e6af975a94]green[/glow:e6af975a94]. Includes the star signs: Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo.
When charged it is precious stones, when depleted it is dust.
Powers associated with earth are plants, metals and minerals and earthquakes.
Abilities which creatures of earth would typically have are:
-Beauty, they would be very beautiful
-Supreme strength
-Rebirth

Weakness: Air
Strength: Water

Fire
Traditionally associated with energy and regarded as vital to development. It's associated with the season summer and the direction south, its colour is [glow=red:e6af975a94]red[/glow:e6af975a94]. Includes the star signs: Aries, Sagittarius and Leo.
When charged it is radiance (type of blinding light), when depleted it is ash.
Powers associated with fire are lightning/electricity, volcanoes and heat.
Abilities which creatures of fire would typically have are:
-Healing
-Transformation

Weakness: Water
Strength: Air

Hope that was also helpful to you all. wink

Aceedwin · Jan 11, 2010 9:27 PM

The Eight Trigrams

The Eight Trigrams are developments of the basic Ying and Yang, originating from China. There are three levels differentiating each trigram. The first level includes Ying and Yang, then both of those are split into supreme and lesser. Finally, each of the four is once again split into two trigrams each, eight altogether.

The Eight Trigrams are given many meanings, family members are given a trigram, as are the cosmos, magnetic directions, seasons, and spiritual elements.

1. Chien

Chien is a deriviation of supreme Yang, and is the trigram most aligned with Yang. It is also known as Supreme Yang.
Element: Heavens, sky, air.
Direction: South
Season: Summer

2. Sun

Sun is a deriviation of lesser Yang. It is also known as Young Ying.
Element: Wind
Direction: Southwest
Season: Mid-Summer

3. K'an

K'an is a deriviation of lesser Yang. It is also known as Middle Ying.
Element: Water
Direction: West
Season: Autumn

4. Ken

Ken is a deriviation of Supreme Ying. Mature Ying
Element: Mountain
Direction: Northwest
Season: Mid-Autumn

5. Kun

Kun is a deriviation of Supreme Ying, and is the trigram most aligned with Ying. It is also known as Supreme Ying.
Element: Earth
Direction: North
Season: Winter

6. Zhen

Zhen is a deriviation of Lesser Ying. It is also known as Young Yang.
Element: Lightning
Direction: Northeast
Season: Mid-Winter

7. Li

Li is a deriviation of Lesser Ying. It is also known as Middle Yang.
Element: Fire
Direction: East
Season: Spring

8. Dui

Dui is a deriviation of Supreme Yang. It is also known as Mature Yang.
Element: Valley, Lake
Direction: Southeast
Season: Mid-Spring

Note: Spelling of all of the terms aren't uniform, and different sources may spell them differently.

Another point I should make is that people's view on elements are drastically different. People will use different elemental systems, and configure them in alternative manners. Listing them, while an admirable effort, is ultimately futile, and also a little restricting.

I am in such a wikipedia mood.

MrXLink · Jan 12, 2010 6:29 AM

That's true. But this is basically meant as just a guideline. Could be helpfull for people that don't know which element(s) to choose. Of course, everyone thinks in another way about elements, but this list is meant to give impressions.

#1 Dec 15, 2009 5:59 PM

RPG Info: Elements

#2 Dec 15, 2009 9:54 PM

Re: RPG Info: Elements

#3 Jan 11, 2010 9:27 PM

Re: RPG Info: Elements

#4 Jan 12, 2010 6:29 AM

Re: RPG Info: Elements

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