Elemental

A spirit trapped inside of material form

An elemental is some bit of material form that holds or is merged with spirits from the Shadow Realms. There are as many types of elements as their are material forms. Natural substances like Fire, Water, Wood, and Air are the most common for weaker spirits, while even forged materials like steel and bronze are usable by exceptionally powerful spirits.

A natural elemental occurs when a spirit naturally draws material elements towards its bodies. In many cases these are smaller spirits and typically called Will-o-the-Wisps, sparks, flower children, dust devils, or sea foam. Their time in this form tends to be short lived. In many cases lasting only a few seconds only very rarely as long as a single day. The spirit is simply not strong enough to stay in the material realm and soon returns to the Shadow Realms where it belongs.

Those spirits strong enough to remain and powerful enough can undertake a transformation. In time the material form is not simply drawn to the spirit, but the spirit begins merging until the two are indistinguishable. Some examples of these creatures include gnome (earth), undine (water), sylph (air), and salamander (fire).

An elemental is a true being of their element, they shape the element to their liking molding and merging as suits their whim. A spirit that has become and elemental can no longer return to being a spirit. Should they be forcibly removed from their “body” the spirit will cease to exist. This is nearly impossible unless all forms of the element they have merged with are utterly destroyed.

Through arts both arcane and otherworldly a spirit can be bound within an element. Unlike other forms the spirit of a conjured elemental can be quite strong. It is through magic that the spirit is forcibly bound. Given how destructive this is to the spirit anyone accomplishing this task is in grave danger unless they have full control over the spirit.