Introduction
As I mentioned in the note regarding the Principles of Magic, elements can change state or phase, and Summoners have the ability to manipulate these changes, if they learn how to do so.
The type of magic that deals with state changes is Chaos and Order Magic, which in this fiction refers to the physical and chemical processes of the universe. I am far from being an expert in physics or chemistry, but I am curious, and I sometimes enjoy reading about things I don’t understand. If a summoner could regulate the thermodynamic process, they would do so through this type of magic.
With this in mind, I came up with the idea of inventing different states of matter for all elements, even if they don’t make sense from a physical-chemical perspective.
States of Fire
Flames
The natural state of fire.
Crystal
Crystalfire. Crystalfire is an element rarely found in the Material Plane. It is fire in a solid state and can only be found in volcanoes located in areas of great magical abundance. Crystalfire is highly volatile and causes a violent and large explosion.
Liquid
Like Crystalfire, liquid fire is not a natural form in which fire is found, except in zones of great magical influence. Liquid fire differs from lava in that it does not solidify or cool when in contact with cooler substances or water. On the contrary, it extinguishes like natural fire.
States of Air
Regarding Air, it is important to understand that in this fictional universe, all noble gases are encompassed within the element air. The gas is what is known as “Poisonous Air,” “Toxic Cloud,” and other names.
Here we present a controversy regarding the capabilities and implications of air magic.
For practical purposes, this magic controls O2 by default.
Location of Air in the Periodic Table. We aren’t looking for scientific accuracy and we always aim to keep the mystery of magic. Still, it’s interesting to explore new ways of viewing magic.
Wind
Air in its most natural state. As stated above, it is important to remember that Summoners can invoke toxic gases. There are tactics where large clouds of flammable gases are summoned, which are later detonated in a massive explosion.
The possibilities of an Ethereant of Air have terrifying implications, such as asphyxiating hundreds of people with just a simple hand gesture.
Crystal
Some gases can crystallize. More experienced Ethereants can control and even summon these crystals.
I would need to study the Noble Gases on the periodic table further to elaborate on this, but I find the idea amusing.
Liquid
Similarly, many gases can be obtained, albeit artificially, in a liquid state.
An Air summoner could include liquid nitrogen in their arsenal.
States of Earth
The element Earth presents a significant challenge since we can’t manipulate it in the same way we do with Air and gases.
From a chemical standpoint, the elements within Earth would be non-metals and alkaline earth metals. However, we must be extremely careful with this because allowing Earth Ethereants to manipulate elements like Carbon permits them to control a huge percentage of organic matter.
We could easily involve certain Ethereals like Türma and Eshïra to intervene in an Earth Ethereant’s abilities concerning organic bodies.
However, since Blood Magic and other flesh-shapers exist, we can see that this ethereal intervention isn’t always effective.
Sediment
Earth and sand. Earth in its natural state.
Rock
Also earth in its natural state, although without the inclusion of metals and other minerals.
It should be noted that we are in a fictional universe, so we will encounter fictional and magical minerals with abilities we wouldn’t find in real life.
Crystal
Crystallized minerals and glass.
By manipulating Carbon, an Earth Ethereant should be able to control diamond. I’ll pin this for now because, as I mentioned earlier, manipulating Carbon feels a bit dangerous to me.
The ability to shape and summon glass, which is obtained by overheating certain sands, also suggests a direct link to Chaos and Order Magic.
Magma
Similarly, minerals at extremely high temperatures form lava. More hints of Chaos and Order Magic.
Water
Another element that, if we delve into the periodic table, causes some issues. I want to make it clear that the periodic table is only used as a guideline because if we apply it here, it conflicts with the Air element. After all, water is made of hydrogen and oxygen.
Liquid
The liquid and natural state in which water is mostly found.
Vapor
The gaseous state of water.
Ice
The solid state of water. It’s easy for a Water Ethereant to manipulate ice, which suggests a rapid connection to the Chaos and Order Magic developed by these summoners.
Energy
Energy is one of the first non-traditional elements (outside the four elements) to appear in HotA.
Originally, in my early iterations of this universe, Energy and Lightning were two separate elements, but over time it became obvious that they had to be the same. That’s why the natural form in which we find energy is in lightning, and this is what summoners of this element most often use.
Lightning
Lightning bolts and electric discharges.
Plasma
I say plasma for lack of a better word. By this, I mean essentially the “rays” of energy.
Crystal
Like fire, energy can crystallize into a solid, volatile, and explosive element.
Metal
Rock
Unrefined metal. We could think that metal in this state might have strong magnetic properties.
Metal
Redundant, but we would be talking about refined metal.
Liquid
Molten metal (lava) and mercury alike. Technically, mercury should be refined metal, but we classify it as liquid due to its consistency.
Light
With Light and Shadows, we enter a more traditional part of the magical imagination regarding elements. Many fictional universes treat light and shadow as another element. In HotA, we preserve this to maintain the concept of eight elements.
Pure Light
Pure light has abrasive properties, associated with heat and energy.
Crystal
Light can be crystallized into a solid state and is often found in conjunction with crystals of fire or energy.
However, light crystal is neither volatile nor explosive. On the contrary, it is highly solid and emits a constant radiance. Almost like ice, light crystal “melts” over time as its light fades, unless it is constantly fed by another light source.
Liquid
Aqualux is similar to light crystal in its properties, with the difference that if contained in a hermetic vessel, it never fades.
In its “natural state,” aqualux is consumed like light crystal, “evaporating” little by little. It’s rare to find aqualux in nature, but some springs are known to contain this legendary substance.
Shadows
Same comment as with light.
Pure Shadow
Pure shadow or magical shadow manifests as thick smoke in purplish and bluish tones.
Fire
Shadowflame or Umbraflamma, a fire of black, violet, and blue that emits no light and instead removes heat. When it extinguishes, it leaves bodies frozen.
Crystal
There is a close relationship between Shadows and cold. In the depths of the coldest glaciers or places like the Shadowlands on the planet Krässie, formations of ice can be found that are not made of water but of shadows. Their temperature is even lower than the ice around them.
Special Note: Darkness and Radiance
This is part of the overall metaplot of HotA, but Darkness and Radiance are the products of the Ethereals Mürne and Ända, respectively.
Darkness is the Shadow element taken to the extreme, forgetting its symbiotic relationship with Light, seeking to exist independently, eliminating all Light from existence.
Radiance is the opposite, with the same goal but reversed.