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Golems of the 2nd Echelon are somewhat more versatile then
their lower cousins, and depending on the skill of their creator,
they can be set to a task and make somewhat intelligent decisions.
Thus, they do not need to be given explicit instructions as
their lower kin must. They are, of course, also able to handle
the element they are crafted of far better than those of the
lower Echelon.
Elementals
Elementals of the 2nd Echelon are the most commonly seen
of elementals, usually being termed by most as lesser/greater
or minor/major elementals. They often fiercely protect their
area of origin. They have little concern for our kind, and
some are considered mindless automatons, and indeed, some
certainly can be. Others possess a rudimentary intelligence
that can range from that of simple beasts to a cunning that
rivals the lesser humanoids. This intellect tends to vary
based on the particular element, and, to some degree, upon
the skill of the summoner, if said elemental is summoned.
As an example, 2nd Echelon elementals of fire may possess
intelligence, but the very nature of fire itself would gear
this toward consuming anything within sight, while a 2nd Echelon
elemental of water with the very same level of intelligence
may be considered more intelligent due to its innately passive
nature.
Fire
Fire elementals of the 2nd Echelon are
quite a dangerous sight to behold, usually their kind
are found around volcanoes, and thus guard them more fiercely
than any other of their kin - without it, they would cease
to burn. They fight with decidedly more ferocity than
most, and almost all fire elementals of the 2nd Echelon
will consider anything not attuned to fire to be fuel.
Earth elementals of the 2nd Echelon are more often
seen then their lower kin, but are reclusive by nature.
You will rarely catch a glimpse of one beyond the confines
of a cave, or some other tunnel into the earth, and
this gives them a very distinct advantage since you
are within their very element. An extremely rare subclass
of this type are primarily comprised of soil, and their
strength is a far cry to those created of rock. The
subclass of soil-based earth elementals are the least
threatening of any elemental being, and elementals of
this type are usually used by mages of varying cultures
to aid in the cultivating of land. Mostly, earth elementals
of the 2nd Echelon are content to leave us alone, preferring
simply to stay within the embrace of the underground,
but ware those who have encroached upon their domain
and their peace, for they are fierce in combat.
Water elementals of the 2nd Echelon are more rarely
seen, as they, like most of their kin, stay within a
localized area, and those elementals of this degree
tend to make deeper water their home. The sheer variety
of forms that pure water elementals of this power is
amazing, they are able to mesh with their element completely
- becoming a tentacle of water or a spinning whirlpool
with equal ease. They are what we would consider peaceful
for their kind, but should any violate or impede upon
their homes in any fashion, they are known to retaliate
- the term "the sea shows no mercy" may have
been a result of a run-in with water elementals of the
2nd Echelon. An interesting facet of water elementals
of this echelon is that they can venture upon land if
they want. In such case, they usually take to high ground
and become ice. There is little difference between the
two except in terms of natural abilities, after all,
you cannot create a whirlpool on land. Another notable
difference is that water elementals that have turned
to ice appear to be far more aggressive and protective
than their water-bound kin.
Air elementals of the 2nd Echelon are most interesting,
as they are closely tied to those of lightning. Thankfully,
most people of Elanith have little dealings with these
peculiar beings, as they rarely wish to concern themselves
with any airships that may pass through their realm.
Additionally, it is very hard to anger elementals of
air, as the winds constantly move and never stay in
one place for long, thus they count the whole sky as
their home and seem oblivious to the occasional visitor.
They are among the wisest of their kind, but rarely
choose to deal with the affairs of the world below them.
They can, when the need arises, join to form powerful
storms that can literally destroy entire towns. Usually,
it takes quite a great need for these usually very calm
and peaceful beings to go to such drastic measures.
There is an exception to this innately peaceful nature,
however. As these elementals flow with the tides of
wind in their careless fashion, they can whirl through
storms, where they become extremely hostile. It is rumored
that so many air elementals become 'trapped', for a
lack of a better word, in this state, that these storms
linger around one unfortunate (for any living beings
underneath) spot for long periods of time. Cyclones
and hurricanes have the same, if not more so, deadly
effect on these beings. Interestingly enough, if these
storms continue to churn with the presence of air elementals
for extremely long periods of time, the site can become
an elemental nexus where the power of the Prime Elemental
Planes leaks through. It is thought that this is how
air elementals normally manifest into this world, as
intense power is needed to draw forth the power of the
Planes. How they escape such a permanently violent place
and flow with the winds of the world is unknown.
Commonly-seen threats:
None.
Composite Elementals:
Though rare, composite elementals -- that is, elementals comprised
of two differing powers of the Prime Elemental Planes -- are
not unheard of. It is also possible, though even rarer, for
elementals of two differing elements to form one of these
composite elementals. They only exist in the 2nd Echelon and
above, mainly because the power it takes to fuse two elementals
together (especially those of opposing elements) far exceeds
that of the 1st Echelon. The following produce these types
of elementals:
Air and Water
Lightning
Water and Earth
Mud
Earth and Fire
Lava
Fire and Water
Steam
Lava
Lava elementals are a mesh of both fire and earth,
and they are one of the more common composite elementals
as fire and earth have some ties to one another. They
usually manifest within volcanoes, often staying within
the core and forever becoming one with the magma that
spewed them forth. Occasionally, they will be seen outside
their fiery womb, and woe to those who encounter them.
While slow moving, they have acquired the deadliness
of fire combined with the massive resistance of the
earth.
Mud elementals are a mixing of both earth and water,
and are usually found in bogs or some other type of
wetland area. Though extremely unusual to find them
out of these environments, they've also been seen in
deltas and muddy beaches. This mixture tends to produce
a somewhat weak elemental - Earth's strength is worn
away by Water, though it imparts some of the fluidity
of water upon a land being, which can be seen as some
advantage, though not extremely so. However, this does
not mean one should not tread carefully in the presence
of such a being. When one is in a swamp or a bog of
some sort, mud elementals become a large concern, patiently
waiting and blending into the surroundings to drag any
trespassers down into the suffocating embrace of the
earth for eternity.
Commonly-seen threats:
None.
Steam
Steam elementals, manifested from the opposing powers
of Fire and Water, are usually found in lava tubes that
have reached a shoreline, or bubbling geysers found
near mountains. They are extremely rare due to the fact
that their sole creation relies on the clashing of the
Prime Elemental Planes, and to find two opposing intersections
so close to each other is nearly unheard of. They cannot
move from whatever place they first manifest, as the
fragile balance of two vastly different elements can
be upset very easily, thus destroying them in the process.
They are usually only summoned by mages for numerous
purposes.
Commonly-seen threats:
None.
Lightning
Lightning elementals can almost be considered very
common compared to other composite elementals, though
in fact they are quite rare overall. Their only known
forms are classified among the 2nd and higher Echelons.
Due to their nature, it is not exactly known how they
are so common compared to their Prime counterparts,
but tales of air elementals causing intense raging storms
out at sea in order to create these powerful beings
are widely told, though the reason why is not known.
They are the most unpredictable of elementals, and doubtlessly
possess an uncanny strength, but their weakness is in
their expenditure of energy. Also, lightning elementals
of the 2nd Echelon have been known to destroy themselves
in the process of attacking. Powerful, quick, and quite
deadly, this is their downfall - they have no stable
element to sustain their massive power for extended
periods of time.
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