Substancia

Raw Materium
Soulless Elementals, better known as Substancia Elementum, and sometimes commonly referred to as Elemental Spirits, are usually bound to a Dominia, or Elemental territory. A Substancia draws power from the comparable Materium around them, and are weakened when distanced from it for too long. A Substancia of Darkness Materium would be severely weakened should it leave the shadows, and would slowly suffer in shady areas of broad daylight. Each area in Uthrandir holds a strong elemental bond of one kind or another, and it is not unlikely that you could find more than one Substancia Elementum in a given Dominia. This has led to many ferocious battles between various races and opposing Elementum. The Hye Kin’raa mountain range was home to a large populace of Glacial Elementals, a stronger form of Frost-ementals, before a band of Dralnor drove them to extinction. Near the city of Ember, throngs of Flame Elementals were abundant, living with their opposite’s right next door. The two species were often at war with each other, the Glacials being the instigators more often than not. To the Eastern tundra’s of Braehead and Myr Tariniel, wispier, softer versions of the Frost Elementum are encountered, though still dangerous, and often come into brutal contact with Stone Elementum. Wind and Stone Elementals are common in the plains, areas with open spaces, or places with little obstruction, though it is not uncommon to find these two throughout the lands in forests, mountain slopes, and chillier climates. A Wind Elementum often appears as a swirling cone of dust, or sometimes large rocks.

Telling them apart
Contrary to what common folk think, Essentia and Substancia Elementum are next to nothing alike. Each Elementum Class is greatly separated by physical features of Materium. Though there are similar Elementum comprised of the same Materium, it is imperative to note their alterations, and how one can express them separately. Notable exceptions to Elementum appearance as inhuman are those Essentia of Life, Order, and Chaos. These three are the only Elementum of both Essentia and Substancia to retain a full human form. To clarify, this means a mortal form, devoid of obstructing Materium, full facial features, nearly similar to a regular humanoid. They are known as the Dimidium. 

The following are classifications of Elementum differences between Essentia and Substancia.



From the Earth
It should be noted that there are distinct differences between an Elementum of Substancia compared to one of Essentia. Though they may seem to be of the same Materium they are very separate beings. An Earth Elementum, one of Essentia, appears as a being of mossy stones, or cracked, compacted dirt. A Life Elementum will appear with an abundance of Flora on a human form, and there are a few reports of wildlife being drawn to their presence. Life Elementum are notable for being one of only three Essentia to classify as a Dimidium. Differentially, their Substancia Elementum counterparts of Stone and Nature Materium will appear as their prime substance. Stone Elementum will obviously be comprised of bare rocks, gravel, or boulders, while a Nature Elementum has a more distinct appearance of a living tree, sentient vines, or even sticks and leaves. Flora can be apparent on a Stone Essentia, but it does not denote a connection to Life.

In the Fire
For the Flame and Fire Elementum, the two share a respectable quantity of similarities, yet one major variance: a humanoid arrangement. Fire Elementum Essentia are gifted with the capability to regulate their temperature while retaining their core structure. This means that they are able to wear attire such as armor, or more expected, robes. This also enables Fire Essentia to touch and be touched without harm, if they so choose. In battle, this is especially helpful. A Fire Essentia may unleash a torrent of fire spells, each of erratic temperature degrees; summon a Fire Drake reaching heats of over 1500o or under 500o, though anything less than 500 degrees would do little to no damage. A Fire Elementum Essentia, though in control of his or her heat, cannot lower it below burning temperature for an extended period of time, as this would cause an unstable reaction to the Fire Essentia form. Flame Elementum Substancia are more easily recognized by their appearance than Fire Essentia. They are marked by a feral form, devoid of humanoid structure, and varying configurations upon their bulk, usually found on the chest and back regions. Magma Substancia are a somewhat unique Elementum. Though they are considered a class of Flame Elementum, they are comprised of solidified magma, and in rare cases, Obsidian. They retain attributes of Flame, but can wield the solid magma as if it were a Stone Elementum.

Out of the Water
Those Elementum Substancia created from Aqua Materium fall into several categories denoted by their origination. Aqua Substancia are the most diverse Elementum to walk the lands of Uthrandir due to Aqua Materium being found in three forms: liquid, solid, and gaseous. There are Aqua Elementum Substancia of Frost, Ice, Snow, Sleet, Mist, Gas, Cloud, Fog, River, Ocean, and Rain. Each one is found in their specific Dominia. Water Essentia are much like the appearance of Fire Essentia. They are human-like in form, yet are comprised of scales, crustaceans or other marine effects. Water Elementum Essentia may appear as swirling vortexes of Aqua Materium, some have the appearance of a pale body, much like a drowned victim. These Elementum are not classified in such diverse realms like their Substancia equivalents.

* Much like Fire Essentia, Water Essentia have the ability to control their forms temperature, as well as their state. This means a Water Elementum may change from a liquid to a solid at will. They are unable to change into a gas as this would cause an unstable reaction to their form, much like the Fire Essentia being unable to lower their temperature for extended time.

Up in the Air
Zyphrus, the Southern Gale, was the first Essentia born of a Patrons’ Blessing. He was also the first Air Elementum Essentia, fashioning somewhat of a design to base future Air Essentia. Air Elementum are humanoid to a certain degree, but can be as diverse as the changing winds. Before the astonishing form of Zyphrus, Wind Elementum Substancia roamed the plains and lowlands of Uthrandir. Their forms were rudimentary, pieced together by swirling dust, leaves, small rocks, or debris. Wind Materium is basically gathered airstream currents, so because of this, Wind Elementum are the least organized out of all the Elementum Substancia. They are unstable, prone to sudden dissipation and reformation. Wind and Air Elementum are capable of controlling Electric Materium, a creation of massive energy outputs generated by a combination of force and magic. 