Monsterpedia 18 - Elemental
Monsterpedia
Elemental
Monster Level - I (Zero)
Soul Type - Fractured
Intelligence - None
Strength - Minimal
Magic - High
Rarity - Created (Very Rare)
Elementals are unique monsters created by mages for various reasons. It's easiest to form elementals out of the four 'classic' elements, but any concentrated base substance can be used as a base form. Ice is a common alternative, while lightning is a rare but valued elemental type.
To create these creatures a labyrinth-like environment is formed. This involves heavy amounts of magic and a great infusion of souls. This is why elemental creation is highly supervised and only allowed in specific areas. In very rare cases elementals have formed naturally, but it's nearly been impossible to pin down why this happens.
Elementals are generally non hostile due to their soul structure being fragmented more than most composite monsters. But their magical abilities are very high, allowing them to be used as a power source, a focus for unique crystal creation, a testing target, and most importantly a merge subject
Despite the rumors no intelligent creatures are used to provide souls for elementals. Only animals and the most docile of monsters are considered, in order to make sure the soul is fragmented instead of a composite. Using intelligent creatures or monsters would grant a 'purpose' to the forming monster and convert it into something other than an elemental.
Merge
Common Name : [Element]-merge
Benefits : Magic boost, elemental resistance
Weaknesses : Overspecialization
A great number of mages who don't come from rich families choose elemental merges. The focused nature of the merge and the aligned soul energy means the mage will receive a massive boost to magic that's aligned with their element, and a general boost to most other magical fields. Unfortunately there is one weakness : Magical abilities that are 'opposed' to their element are weakened. The definition of 'opposed' is still being argued, and some very odd interactions have come up over time. However a lot of the utility spells that are impacted are considered archaic and not very good in the modern era.
Physical alterations tend to be pronounced but not very impactful. Unnatural skin and hair colors are very common, usually matching the 'color' of the element merged. There's also a very small increase in elemental resistance, but it's more along the lines of being able to drink very hot tea than anything useful in a fight.
Don't assume an elemental merge only knows spells of their element! A fire merge is always strong with fire spells and weak with ice. But if they're raiding a fire labyrinth they're going to equip appropriate spell chips, not blunder in with a staff full of fireblasts. Any tower trained mage can use all elements, and if they listened to their instructors will have an off element attack ready.