Elementalism: An Elucidation
Across countless worlds, throughout endless planes of existence, magical schools arise wherein sorcerers study and manipulate the mystical building blocks of the entirety of reality. While there are only so many of such blocks to incorporate, differing traditions recognize differing combinations of elements when their school forms, much like geomancy did when it came into being on earth.
These schools often die out or adopt additional elements over time, ultimately becoming what is recognized as elementalism. Elementalism is a practice that recognizes thirteen distinct, mystical elements that comprise all of creation. It is a study that is dedicated to the control of these elements, to manipulate one, several, or every facet of all that exists.
The school of elementalism, wherever it occurs in the multiverse, recognizes the mystic elements of antimagic, death, energy, faith, fluid, life, magic, philosophy, quintessence, rock, time, unity, and vapor. Even with knowledge of one of these elements, a sorcerer can manipulate their environment with ease. But upon mastering several, if not all of them, there is almost nothing an elementalist cannot do!
The Elementalist
Those sorcerers who study elementalism strive to understand the inner workings of reality itself. Regardless of which element or elements they choose to pursue mastery of, elementalists have a tendency to travel far and wide to glean the secrets of their manipulation. While their mystic masters aren't necessarily holding them back, the simple truth is that they don't know everything.
Elementalism is a school that is generally recognized throughout the multiverse, after all, unlike its more provincial counterparts. Thus, elementalists can often be found just about anywhere in their search for greater understanding, whether in remote locations on earth, the farthest depths of interstellar space, or even in planes of existence alien to mere mortals and their ilk.
In their travels, elementalists often locate areas that act as a nexus of elemental power. In other words, these locales are imbalanced in their elemental composition, and have more of certain elements than the others. Such focal points are ideal locations to forge a lair, or to at least perform magical ceremonies, for increased elemental composition in an area provides a +1 RS to related elemental spells.
Elemental Mastery
In the course of their study of elementalism, wizards progress by mastering the mystic elements their school recognizes. This process entails learning a variation on the Elemental Control spell that calls upon the element in question, as well as three distinct spells that draw upon said element to fuel its effects. Elementalists who accomplish this benefit from a +1 RS when casting spells fueled by that element.
Spell stunts also count for the purposes of elemental mastery. A mage who masters an Eldritch Bolt of psychoturgic, philosophical energies, for instance, can count that same spell towards their mastery requirement for rock if they master a stunt to produce a jagged stream of stones with it. While spell stunts don't improve a character's mystic mastery rank, they nonetheless assist them in conquering their area of expertise.
Elementalists need not necessarily master one element before beginning work on another, however. One may learn another iteration of the Elemental Control spell before mastering an element, if desired - all of them, in fact, if this is what they want. This costs elementalists the elemental mastery bonus until they get around to it, of course, but provides them unmatched spellcasting versatility in exchange.
Elemental Specialists
While the previous details the standard form of elementalism, the school lends itself to offshoots that further emphasize specific facets of such magic. In other words, an elementalist may specialize in a single element, eschewing access to the other twelve to focus their attention exclusively. Elemental specialists are afforded a +1 RS bonus to all such spells, on top of that offered by elemental mastery.
The Thirteen Elements
While the Elemental Control spell details what one can do with it at least in regards to each individual element, it is important to document the scope of each of the elements recognized by elementalism. This is to assist players in the manipulation of each one, giving them a proper idea what can be done with them, and perhaps point them towards spells they can use to develop each further.
The thirteen elements recognized by the school of elementalism include the following:
Antimagic: strictly speaking, this element involves the manipulation of improbability particles, which act to dampen or neutralize concentrations of the probability particles that allow most spells to be cast in the first place. This is a powerful, but dangerous ability; mishaps may neutralize one's own magics as well. On the other hand, it's one of the few ways to counter probability-manipulating powers.
Death: elemental forces of death include those strange forms of energy which exist in the planes of the afterlife, as well as those encountered on the way to such. These can include hellfire, celestial light, and spectral flames. Additionally, there are the more direct ways to interact with death, including the inducement of premature death, the forestalling of looming doom, and communion with deceased souls.
Energy: the element of energy is a versatile one, as almost everything contains energy of a sort. This element involves the manipulation of conventional energies, from light to heat to sound to electricity, and its controllers can shape this power in any way they see fit. Keep in mind that unconventional energy forms (those which inflict Deionic, Karmic, or Sorcerous damage) are beyond the scope of this element.
Faith: the forces that the element of faith represent are astoundingly powerful. They are the energies wielded by priests of their respective deities, as well as the raw power generated by the veneration of such. These energies can be produced to perform truly staggering feats, and can even be turned against the so-called gods themselves when wielded properly (if one chooses to do so).
Fluid: fluid elements are those which are of a liquid nature. This can include anything from water to high fructose corn syrup to the most toxic of sludges. If a material is currently liquid, this element holds sway over it. Note that temperature can alter the state of matter; what was untouchable stone one moment ago can be turned fluid with the application of enough heat.
Life: the flip-side of death, the element of life involves the manipulation of life forms and the life force that animates them. This element can be used to control the behavior of creatures sentient and unintelligent, change their very bodies, or alter the flow and quantity of life force they contain. It is great for healing others, but can just as easily be used to kill.
Magic: the raw aspect of sorcery itself, elemental magic involves the manipulation of probability particles. As can a paraprobabilitist, a master of elemental magic may twist and change the very core of magical effects, though usually those cast by others. This element can also be used to alter and manipulate any form of energy which inflicts Sorcerous damage (which may overlap with other elements slightly).
Philosophy: the forces of philosophy are those which govern morality. Good, evil, chaos, order, and balance are the five primary cornerstones of this element, though they can combine with each other to form a total of thirteen different philosophical forces. Masters of this element may amplify or dampen the effects of such, or shape the raw energies they represent to drastically alter their environment.
Quintessence: the element of space, quintessence is the universe all around us. One can use quintessence to shape said space, whether tinkering with gravity or altering the trajectories of objects moving in one's vicinity. Space can alter our own dimensions or the higher ones, allowing one to connect incongruent locations in our universe to one another - or even to places on other planes of existence!
Rock: the simply named element of rock involves the control over all material currently in a solid state. This can be anything from the eponymous rocks in one's environment to the building he or she occupies. Whether natural or man-made, the element of rock may shape all solid materials, either when simply destroying them or using them to create new objects entirely.
Time: the element of time represents both motion and entropy. One can use it to manipulate such to a variety of ends, whether accelerating or decelerating the flow of time around oneself or another, engaging in time travel, or possibly even rapidly aging or de-aging something. The element of time also allows control over temporal static, an energy form generated by those outside of their correct space-time coordinates.
Unity: unity is the convergence of elements, a combination of forces to produce a singular effect. This element allows for the blending of any other elements an elementalist holds sway over, to create all-new effects. With enough elements in tow, one can use unity to alter reality itself - or at least a small portion of it - as enough elements working together can truly represent our universe in its entirety.
Vapor: the element of vapor is similar to rock and fluid, in that it is used to manipulate one entire form of matter. Vapor, of course, is used to control all gases and vaporous materials, from oxygen to smoke to methane to helium. One with control over vapor can shape and move gaseous matter as they see fit, and can even expel it from an area if they wish, creating a true vacuum.
Enderbiter: A Sample Elementalist
Sure, elementalists are just like geomancers, save for the fact that they don't have any of the religious connotations that those world-mages tie into their wizardry. Well, that and the fact that they simply have more elements to draw upon than their mystical forebears, also. Nonetheless, it seemed prudent to include at least one example of generating an elementalist character, and so I shall.
Using my teensy, tiny, 5mm percentile dice!
Determining Enderbiter's Basic Traits
Starting out with a flurry of rolls, my baby dice give this new elementalist rank value 20 Melee (a roll of 65), rank value 4 Coordination (a roll of 04), rank value 20 Brawn and Fortitude (rolls of 87 and 85), rank value 40 Intellect and Awareness (rolls of 56 and 55), and rank value 20 Willpower (a roll of 10). Aside from this individual's Coordination, it seems like we're off to a good start!
With the goal of ironing out that one kink in this character's basic traits, I perform a Coordination gamble on the 'easy' table, and a roll of 82 grants a +3 RS bonus to that trait, raising it to rank value 20. I attempt the same for this individual's Willpower, but a result of 09 means that this arguably more important trait (for a sorcerer) will be staying right where it is for now.
Adding up the character's Melee, Coordination, Brawn, and Fortitude traits, I find they have a Health sum of 80 (they're all rank value 20, so that's pretty simple), while the sum of this person's Intellect, Awareness, and Willpower traits gives them an initial Fortune total of 100. I leave Lifestyle and Repute at their base rank values of 6 and 0, respectively.
Determining Enderbiter's Magical Abilities and Appliance
Skipping table 3 as always, a roll of 72 on table 4 determines that this person will begin play with five spells - not bad! Their first spell will be an iteration of Elemental Control, and I opt to start with Rock, and rolls of 05 and 21 point towards the personal spell of Contact Absorption - which costs two spell slots. I could reroll, but as it so happens, I like the sound of that spell.
Rolls of 43 and 76 provide Resistance, which I will take to Bashing and Slashing damage (as they each count as half a spell), and 04 and 42 offer Flaw Sense. These four spells together make for what could be a truly dangerous physical combatant, especially when coupled with this character's impressive physical traits. So, I think I just might run with that from here on.
That just leaves a mystic device for them to adventure with. Rolls of 59 and 63 point me towards the group spell of Scrying, which seems like a perfect fit for this person. Scrying offers a few more sensory abilities to assist them in their heroic career, and I opt to place the power in a fist-sized crystal orb, which will be carried about on a convenient staff during their travels.
Quantifying Enderbiter's Magical Abilities and Appliance
With rolls of 54, 97, 40, 67, and 89, I secure the rank values each of this character's magical abilities will function at. Their Elemental Control / Rock has a rank value of 40, their Contact Absorption has a rank value of 50, their Resistances have a rank value of 30, their Flaw Sense has a rank value of 40, and their Scrying item has a base of rank value 50, raised +2 RS thanks to its portable limitation, to rank value 100.
That leaves two gambles to bolster any holes in the character's magical arsenal, both of which I attempt on the 'traditional' table (one for Elemental Control / Rock, and one for Contact Absorption). A 67 raises the former by +1 RS, to rank value 50, while a 40 leaves the latter right where it is (though with a spell value of 50, I'd call it pretty tough to start with).
Bear in mind that these are the 'base' values for Enderbiter's magical spells. With four spells revolving around the element of rock, all of them will receive an effective +1 RS to their rank values. Thus, Elemental Control / Rock and Contact Absorption are raised to rank value 75, their Resistances are increased to rank value 40, and that Flaw Sense functions at rank value 50.
Determining Enderbiter's Background Information
Going out of order, I roll a 67 on table 30 to come up with four initial skills. Rolls of 35 and 26 point to the environmental skill of Climbing (nice), 50 and 23 provide for Martial Arts style A (also nice), 14 and 65 offer up Service (okay?), and 26 and 11 grant Boating (er). The first two fit the character's current life, while the second pair offer hints at a mundane background. That works.
Moving back to quirks, a 65 and an 86 point towards the deleterious mental quirk of Rudeness, while 36 and 23 provide for a Cybernetic Aptitude - which may come in handy should the character get brutalized over the course of their up close and personal mystic combat. And though I hadn't considered it yet, maybe the character already has some kind of robotic replacement parts. Hmm.
A result of 51 on table 40 gives this character five starting contacts. The first two will be their elementalism instructor, for a level 2 placement. The next will be their level 2 cybernetics connection, also costing two contact slots, to showcase that person's role in their life. Finally, the last contact slot will be floating in nature, with a roll of 53 making them an informant of some kind.
Determining Enderbiter's Origin Story
Bob Ziegler hates people. Always has and always will. But somehow, he always found himself working in jobs where he not only had to deal with them, but had to play nice with his fellow humans. Hating existence in general, he was plodding his way through life as a cruise ship deck hand (thanks to a childhood spent boating) when he was mutilated in a battle between superhuman combatants.
Feeling guilty, the heroic half of that conflict arranged for Bob to receive replacement bits for his lost arm and leg. Nothing special, mind you, mere stand-in extremities. Nonetheless annoyed at the loss of his humanity, Bob quit his job to walk the earth in search of a means to center himself, which ultimately saw him joining a small troupe of elementalists down in Antarctica.
Though he had his doubts about them, Bob ultimately came around after successfully casting his first spell, one which let him shape the forlorn mountains surrounding his camp site! After this, he threw himself into his mystic studies, developing numerous spells related to rock and pulping those who offend his sensibilities, and now adventures as the Enderbiter!
Special Note
Since I just sort of chose to make Enderbiter a cyborg, albeit one with nothing special going on with their implants save for functioning limbs, this kind of thing probably requires Gamemaster approval. After all, it will give them the Hard Points ability (in the form of their replacement parts), as well as the Implant Rejection character limitation, which would bolster the ranks of all their ascendant abilities by +1 RS.
Though I just sort of included that as a quirk of Enderbiter's origin, it does have a mechanical impact, both for good and for ill, and this should be taken into consideration (what with it technically turning him into a combination character).
Elementalism Spells
As their mystic school involves exerting influence over one or more of the thirteen elements they believe comprises all of existence, adherents of elementalism have developed specialized spells involving this principle. Above and beyond standard magic that can be developed or fueled using elemental power, elementalist spells specifically involve the manipulation of elements or their interaction with one another.
The thirteen known elementalism school spells include the following:
| A | B | C | D | E | J | P |
A
Aura
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: 1d10 turns + maintenance, if desired
Cost: 2 points per rank value
An aura is a protective sort of shell that a character may produce around their body. It can be comprised of either matter or energy, as is desired, but a character typically only begins play with one form of aura. To acquire more auras, a character must either purchase them as weak enhancements to this power during character generation, reducing its rank value by -1 RS for each, or develop them later as power stunts.
If material, an aura can consist of any form of matter desired, though the power cannot produce a protective coating of a material value greater than its own power rank value. For example, a rank value 6 aura could readily concoct an ice or wood cocoon around its possessor, but could not do so with titanium steel. An aura can simulate materials of a higher MV than its power value, but its MV is capped at this level.
An energy aura, on the other hand, can be any form of such extant in Edition 13 of the 4C System. An energy aura can be comprised of anything, from lightning to darkness to spectral flames to antideionic life force! Such an aura will inflict its power rank value in damage, of the appropriate type, upon direct physical contact with others - which makes an energy aura a great aversive defense.
The form of matter or energy that comprises an aura will determine any additional effects the power can provide, if necessary. Fire, for example, will have a tendency to cause things in the character's vicinity to ignite, while buckyballs will make someone almost impossible to grapple. Effects that would neutralize or commandeer an aura (a fire extinguisher, or perhaps the appropriate matter control) must defeat its power value to work.
Characters with an aura can move normally while it is active. The possessor of this power subconsciously shapes their aura around their body when movement is required, preventing it from harming them (if applicable). Alternately, the power can produce uncontrolled, 'jointed' auras, resembling a suit of armor made out of whatever the aura is comprised of, though this creates holes in the protection it provides (weak limitation).
If made of energy, an aura will offer its possessor power value protection from assault per a personal force field (possibly modified by its energy type). On the other hand, a character with a solid aura will receive like body armor - if their aura is at least two inches thick. If one's aura is smaller in thickness, it cannot fully protect its possessor from injury, and thus provides -1 RS protection from attack instead.
If an aura is destroyed, the character may simply make another one, which takes up a full action. This may not be immediately possible if the cause of the previous aura's demise is still present (a character with an aura of fire being doused in fire retardant foam). If taken over by other powers, one must either build their aura anew or reclaim control of it from whoever stole it.
B
Between
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: instantaneous effect
Cost: 2 points per rank value
The seventh dimension is a bizarre place, a location that is both everywhere and between everywhere else simultaneously. At the center of the multiverse and yet seemingly outside it at the same time, this place is the undiluted source of higher principles that are distilled into distinct planes of existence. Such realms include the astral plane, the essence, and various other mindspaces both transient and permanent.
Colloquially known as the Between, this level of reality is the absolute blender of creation. One can find all things within the Between, if they look hard enough, as the seventh dimension is a realm of the mind as much as it is of the body. A mishmash of space, time, matter, energy, and thought, the Between is an ever-changing maelstrom that is never the same from one visit to the next - much less from moment to moment!
The reason for this chaotic existence is that everything that is, was, and ever will be is present in the Between in some capacity or another - since every point in lower, sixth-dimensional space is represented here. Also, as these points are all present and simultaneously occupied when in the Between, it can be used to reach a specific location in lower dimensions - assuming one has the proper abilities to do so.
Thanks to its unique properties, one can extend the range of non-adjacent movement abilities while in the Between to an infinite degree. Teleportation can reach anywhere in the universe. Time travel can visit any moment in existence. Dimensional transit can move a body to any reality that exists - and possibly some that don't yet. In this fashion, Between is something of a meta-power, enhancing others considerably.
But this infinite utility comes with infinite risk. One might find the Between a pleasant park on their first visit, and overrun with incomprehensible tentacular horrors the next. Alternately, one might be whisked away to unknown locations in the multiverse upon arriving in the Between, events there overcoming even the most seasoned traveler and stranding him or her somewhere they can't escape from before they know it.
This is where the actual rank value for this ability comes in. A successful power ACTION is required to access the Between. Then, a second ACTION roll is made - this time, by the Gamemaster. If this supplemental power ACTION is successful, nothing directly untoward will happen to the player - or anyone he or she brought along for the ride. If it fails, however, get ready for the time of your (possibly very short) life!
This power is a doorway to endless adventure, you see, whether one wants it or not. Thus, it is the ultimate 'use at your own risk' ability - though sometimes the staggering advantages of using between almost make up for the risk such use poses to one's body and soul. Sometimes.
C
Catalysis
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: maintenance
Cost: 1 point per rank value
In chemistry, catalysis is a change in the rate of a chemical reaction due to the participation of, that's right, a catalyst. A character with this power may act as a substitute catalyst for chemical reactions, whether increasing the rate at which they happen or by inhibiting them in part or in full. Anything that has active chemistry can be subjected to this power, ranging from a car battery to a human body.
When manipulating endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions, one can increase or decrease the heat or cold such generate by an amount equal to this power's rank value. Similarly, a battery can either be neutralized or have its output greatly increased, putting out an amount of electricity equal to this power's rank value. Bear in mind that the destruction of items involved in such manipulations might occur!
Living targets can resist the use of this power by passing a Fortitude ACTION roll against its power rank value. But if affected, their chemical reactions can be halted, simulating stasis or suspended animation, or increased, improving their Brawn and/or Fortitude by +1 RS. One can also reduce (or accelerate!) the effects of poisons within a body when present, either saving a life or ending it quickly!
Alternately, items can be temporarily proofed against rotting and corrosion while this power is applied to them... or subjected to the same forces instead, if desired.
Catalysis functions within Very Near distance of its targets.
Color Control
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: instantaneous effect
Cost: 1 point per rank value
Color control is the ability to alter the hue of anything in one's environment. Surprise!
The color control power works by transforming the properties of a thing such that its coloration changes, whether it is matter or energy that is being affected. The basic nature of things altered by color control remains unchanged, though how they interact with the environment may not be. For example, a lake of blood red water might be refreshing to swim in, but most people wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
In addition to inducing color changes, the wielder of this power can also affect the transparency of its subject. Such changes involve making a wall completely transparent or turning the air positively opaque. This opens up the possibility of performing all manner of misdirection with color control, usually because people so readily believe what their eyes tell them, instead of what their other senses are saying.
The power can even work on colors that others cannot readily see. Transforming ambient infrared light into ultraviolet light, for example, might just stymie those who can track others via infravision. Such efforts are considered to function per transduction, reducing the intensity of photonic energies by -1 RS, but otherwise allowing them to behave in the fashion that they were before being affected.
Color control automatically functions against inanimate matter and energy, regardless of either its material value or intensity. Using this power against living targets requires a Coordination ACTION, however, as they are allowed to avoid the effect with defensive maneuvers such as a dodge. Mind you, those with resistance to metabolic attacks can apply such against the use of this power.
The difficulty of changing something's color depends on how complicated a change one wishes to induce. Singular color changes (making an object neon pink) requires a red power ACTION, while introducing multiple color changes (making a tie-dye shirt without the dye) necessitates a blue ACTION, and intricate alterations of color (giving oneself 'natural' eye shadow) would demand a yellow power ACTION.
The duration of a color change is determined with a second power ACTION, made after a change is successfully completed. A black ACTION makes a color change last for 1d10 turns, while a red ACTION will allow it to last for a number of turns equal to the color control power rank value. Blue duration ACTIONs extend this amount of time to a like number of minutes, while a yellow duration ACTION expands the time involved to that many hours.
Though in the case of inanimate objects, yellow results can generally be considered permanent in nature.
Color control operates within Near distance of its wielder.
Corrosion
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: instantaneous effect
Cost: 1 point per rank value
Corrosion is the ability to induce rapid degradation in the chemical structure of primarily inorganic matter. This can work through a variety of mechanisms, the end result being damage to or the destruction of such substances. Matter affected by corrosion, whether living or dead before the power is used on it, will show signs of advanced wear. Metals will rust, paint will fade, and so on.
Against living entities comprised of such matter, this ability will cause power rank value SD Metabolic damage, which its targets may avoid by preventing physical contact (it requires such to function). When used against unliving substances (which is usually the vast majority of the time), whether glass or steel or uranium, this ability will destroy them if they fail a material value check against this power's rank value.
This power can be avoided with resistance to metabolic attacks - or just resistance to rotting or corrosion. Corrosion inflicts -3 RS damage against organic targets (it works, just less effectively). On the other hand, it is less limited when used on organic substances that have been heavily processed in some fashion. Plastics are such a material, and corrosion can affect them at a mere -1 RS.
Cyclone
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: maintenance
Cost: 1 point per rank value
Upon activating cyclone, a character spins the air (or any other matter) in their immediate vicinity at reckless speeds. Though he or she stands at the eye of this artificial whirlwind, and is at no risk from it at all, the area around someone using cyclone is subject to intense destruction. Loose objects will easily fly into the character's whirling matter stream, and anyone touching them will take considerable damage.
An aversive power more than anything else, cyclone does not provide direct protection from injury like body armor or a force field. However, it does reduce the intensity of incoming damage slightly, offering 1 RS of damage reduction against all physical and energy attacks. The true defense that cyclone offers, though, is that it readily discourages others from closing into melee range of its creator.
Anyone adjacent to a character wielding cyclone will suffer power value Bashing, Slashing, or Force damage, depending on what, if anything, is suspended within their whirlwind at any given moment. This damage can be used in either a passive (against anyone entering the cyclone generator's personal space) or an active (by walking into someone or something and chipping away at them) fashion.
The materials one can draw into a cyclone are generally somewhat small. Normally, it can support objects with a maximum weight equal, in grams, to its rank value. Even at a relatively low value, cyclone can readily pick up enough refuse to scour an area, ranging from dirt to pebbles to glass to needles to anything else scattered about. Such material within six sectors is usually drawn into a cyclone if remotely unsecured.
On the other hand, the wielder of a cyclone can expel the items floating around him or her as a devastating attack on everyone within a like amount of space. Such items will fly out at considerable velocity, inflicting damage equal to either the cyclone ability's power value or the material value of the items in question - whichever is less. Carrying thrown weapons for such purposes can be particularly deadly.
D
Disintegration
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: instantaneous effect
Cost: 2 points per rank value
Disintegration is the ability to transform matter into energy, and to subsequently disperse that energy into the environment - utterly destroying it in the process. This is easiest against inanimate matter, as it (rarely) fights back against a disintegrator. In practice, the possessor of this power may disintegrate an amount of matter, in pounds, equal to its power rank value squared each turn.
Disintegration functions within Near distance of its wielder. When this ability is first acquired, the player may alter the mass limit or the range of the power, raising one by +1 RS by lowering the other by -1 RS, within an overall limit of 6 RS in either direction. This allows one to either disintegrate small amounts of matter at a ludicrous range or to eliminate large masses at a very close distance... or anywhere in-between.
Wielding this ability against inanimate matter is a relatively simple process, only requiring an ACTION roll if one attempts to disintegrate an amount of matter in any one instance that is close to their weight limit. Animate targets are a bit trickier, however. For one thing, they can move to avoid the power's effect entirely. A disintegration beam is easy to avoid, as it eliminates all gaseous matter between its wielder and the target.
Unless used in a vacuum, this will create a highly visible energy trail.
The other difference when using this power on living matter is that its mass isn't what limits its effects, so much as the Health trait of its target. Disintegration will inflict power value Metabolic damage against its target, which may or may not be enough to vanish them in just one shot. However, even one point of disintegration damage is considered a lethal attack, and the victim must make a Kill check against its intensity.
Surviving such an attack means that the disintegrated matter was spaced evenly across one's volume, but the more one suffers such assaults, the faster their structural integrity will fail. Once one's Health and Negative Health (if such is used) are destroyed in this manner, whether by Fortitude loss due to successful Kill results or simply by multiple successful applications of damage, the target is vaporized.
Disintegration can be readily resisted by force fields, which prevent the disintegration beam from contacting the target matter - even if only at a strength of rank value 2. Similarly, resistance to Energy or Metabolic damage (or perhaps disintegration in particular) will blunt or potentially neutralize disintegration effects entirely. This on top of the ability to dodge a disintegration beam, that is.
E
Elemental Control
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: maintenance
Cost: special (see below)
Core of the elemental school of magic, elemental control allows its caster the ability to manipulate the thirteen elements that school recognizes. Upon first learning this spell, the elementalist may only wield control over one such element, though he or she may acquire additional forms either as power stunts or as new spells (player's choice). For convenience, the thirteen elements are re-presented below.
Note: some versions of elemental control are much more potent than others, and are subsequently more expensive to purchase... either during character generation or later in a character's life. The cost of each form of elemental control is provided below, along with its description, to give players an idea just how dangerous it can be - both to themselves and to others.
* Antimagic (1): strictly speaking, this element involves the manipulation of improbability particles, which act to dampen or neutralize concentrations of the probability particles which allow most spells to be cast in the first place. This is a powerful, but dangerous ability; mishaps may neutralize one's own magics as well. On the other hand, it's one of the few ways to counter probability-manipulating powers.
* Death (2): elemental forces of death include those strange forms of energy which exist in the planes of the afterlife, as well as those encountered on the way to such. These can include hellfire, celestial light, and spectral flames. Additionally, there are the more direct ways to interact with death, including the inducement of premature death, the forestalling of looming doom, and communion with deceased souls.
* Energy (3): the element of energy is a versatile one, as almost everything contains energy of a sort. This element involves the manipulation of conventional energies, from light to heat to sound to electricity, and its controllers can shape this power in any way they see fit. Keep in mind that unconventional energy forms (those which inflict Deionic, Karmic, or Sorcerous damage) are beyond the scope of this element.
* Faith (2): the forces that the element of faith represent are astoundingly powerful. They are the energies wielded by priests of their respective deities, as well as the raw power generated by the veneration of such. These energies can be produced to perform truly staggering feats, and can even be turned against the so-called gods themselves when wielded properly (if one chooses to do so).
* Fluid (1): fluid elements are those which are of a liquid nature. This can include anything from water to high fructose corn syrup to the most toxic of sludges. If a material is currently liquid, this element holds sway over it. Keep in mind that temperature can alter the state of matter; what was untouchable stone one moment ago can be turned fluid with the application of enough heat.
* Life (2): the flip-side of death, the element of life involves the manipulation of life forms and the life force that animates them. This element can be used to control the behavior of creatures sentient and unintelligent, change their very bodies, or alter the flow and quantity of life force they contain. It is great for healing others, but can just as easily be used to kill.
* Magic (2): the raw aspect of sorcery itself, elemental magic involves the manipulation of probability particles. As can a paraprobabilitist, a master of elemental magic may twist and change the very core of magical effects, whether their own or those cast by others. This element can also be used to alter and manipulate any form of energy which inflicts Sorcerous damage (which may overlap with other elements slightly).
* Philosophy (2): the forces of philosophy are those which govern morality. Good, evil, chaos, order, and balance are the five primary cornerstones of this element, though they can combine with each other to form a total of thirteen different philosophical forces. Masters of this element may amplify or dampen the effects of such, or shape the raw energies they represent to drastically alter their environment.
* Quintessence (3): the element of space, quintessence is the universe all around us. One can use quintessence to shape said space, whether tinkering with gravity or altering the trajectories of objects moving in one's vicinity. Space can alter our own dimensions or the higher ones, allowing one to connect incongruent locations in our universe to one another - or even to places on other planes of existence!
* Rock (1): the simply named element of rock involves the control over all material currently in a solid state. This can be anything from the eponymous rocks in one's environment to the building he or she occupies. Whether natural or man-made, the element of rock may shape all solid materials, either when simply destroying them or using them to create new objects entirely.
* Time (3): the element of time represents both motion and entropy. One can use it to manipulate such to a variety of ends, whether accelerating or decelerating the flow of time around oneself or another, engaging in time travel, or possibly even rapidly aging or de-aging something. The element of time also allows control over temporal static, an energy form generated by those outside of their correct space-time coordinates.
* Unity (4): unity is the convergence of elements, a combination of forces to produce a singular effect. This element allows for the blending of any other elements an elementalist holds sway over, to create entirely new effects. With enough elements in tow, one can use unity to alter reality itself - or at least a small portion of it, as enough elements working together can truly represent our universe in its entirety.
* Vapor (1): the element of vapor is similar to rock and fluid, in that it is used to manipulate one entire form of matter. Vapor, of course, is used to control all gases and vaporous materials, from oxygen to smoke to methane to helium. One with control over vapor can shape and move gaseous matter as they see fit, and can even expel it from an area if they wish, creating a true vacuum.
Whichever element(s) an elementalist holds sway over, he or she can use them in play to inflict spell rank value damage with each attack, assuming enough of an element on hand to work with. The exact form of damage this attack will inflict depends on the element in question, and can really be almost anything present in Edition 13 of the 4C System - from simple Bashing damage to outright Deionic harm!
On the plus side, elemental controls easily lend themselves to power stunts that can duplicate other spells - or serve as a good reason for having them. Any of the various eldritch attack spells dovetail with elemental controls (and serve as a source of material in a pinch), bands work well with all elements, and so on. The only real limitation in this regard is one's imagination!
Elemental Sense
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: 1d10 turns + maintenance, if desired
Cost: 1 point per rank value
An elemental sense is just that, the magical ability to detect elemental energies or masses in one's vicinity. Elemental sense functions on the Near range table, allowing its user to detect the presence and/or use of elemental quantities within a considerable radius of oneself. Nominally, detecting such elemental mass (or power) requires naught but a red spell ACTION, unless it is masked somehow.
If this is the case, roll a spell check against the intensity of whatever agency is masking the elemental source. Occasionally, just detecting an element may not be enough information; an elementalist may detect how much of an element is present with a blue spell result, while a yellow ACTION can be used to determine odd trivia like how long it has been there, or if it is naturally occurring or present artificially.
Energy Projection
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: maintenance
Cost: 1 point per rank value
When activating energy projection, the possessor of this ability creates an energy matrix for his or her consciousness to inhabit, and projects their very mind into it. This energy packet in and of itself is not potent enough to inflict damage upon contact; all of its power is initially focused towards housing the consciousness within. Unencumbered by mass, this energy field can fly at speeds determined by the space speed table.
Regardless of its actual energy composition.
Generally, it is assumed that this energy field is visible, typically resembling the character who created it. This is not always the case, however, depending on the form of energy used to create this energy packet that houses one's mind. An energy projection may actually look like anything one wishes, though changing its form (from its original appearance) often requires the mastery of a power stunt to achieve just that.
Similarly, it is assumed that, even if one isn't using sound to house their consciousness, that one has the ability to create such. This allows the energy projector to communicate with others while this ability is active. One can learn to generate more intense levels of sound, as well as other forms of energy (likely that which their energy projection is comprised of) as power stunts of this ability as well.
Energy projection is an action which must be maintained consciously, but this may be done for quite a while; energy projection has a maximum safe duration equal to its rank value in hours. For example, a character with rank value 150 energy projection may shed their consciousness and let it wander the earth for almost a week at a time. Food and water only become an issue after several days, however.
This is because while energy projecting, the character's body remains in a coma-like state, burning little energy (per the Trance skill). It must have air to breathe, but it is otherwise inert, and need not consume food or water until the projection is complete. At this point the energy projector, if they've been gone for a good long time, may need to consume large amounts of food and water to recover.
While projecting, the character's mind effectively has no mass, which may cause complications in the event of combat. One's traits mostly remain the same, though the energy projector has no Brawn (being comprised of energy, and intangible). Any magic, psionic, or deionic items a projector possesses will accompany them as part of their self-image, though they function for the energy projection at a -2 RS.
Finally, energy projection has no range limits to speak of. Its wielder's mind may wander far and wide while the power is active, traveling as far as the energy which comprises it can carry them.
Environmental Pocket
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: maintenance
Cost: 2 points per rank value
An environmental pocket is a safe zone that exists as a sort of encapsulated habitat around its creator. When invoked, an environmental pocket will transform the area within Very Near distance into a space more hospitable to its creator's form of life - regardless of prevailing conditions outside. An environmental pocket only lasts as long as one actively concentrates upon its continued existence.
Sort of a 'group' version of environmental independence, this power allows its wielder to share his or her ability to survive in alien surroundings with friends - or anyone else that's close. A combination of transmutation and various 'control' powers, environmental pocket is an entirely involuntary affair; its user cannot control aspects of the environment created - it simply changes things to make it survivable to him or her.
How the power works is that it first encloses the area of effect in a sphere that normalizes the pressure within, and prevents harmful energies from entering, with power rank value ability. Such energies can consist of any environmental calamity, from intense heat to radiation to crushing gravity. The power then transforms the matter within into something its possessor can use to breathe, extending his or her life.
If conditions outside the environmental pocket are able to overwhelm its rank value, they are at least diminished by its intensity. Thus, a rank value 10 environmental pocket could cut ambient radiation of value 20 by half - which is at least something of an improvement. Hostile energies that erupt inside an environmental pocket (such as a sudden energy attack) are not defended against, however.
While active, an environmental pocket constantly refreshes the air (or whatever) its wielder must breathe to survive, and actively resists the effects of matter animation and transmutation used by others to disrupt its habitat with power rank value ability as well. Thus, this ability can be used to avoid such powers as well as inherently hostile environments or situations, making it quite handy to the adventurer on the go.
An important consideration with this power, however, is that an ideal environment for one being might be anathema to another. Using this power on a world full of methane gas might allow its wielder to survive, but any natives wandering into its area of effect will immediately begin to suffocate. As such, the power can be used offensively as well, even if completely unintentionally!
J
Jelling
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: maintenance
Cost: 1 point per rank value
A peculiar movement aid, the power of jelling allows its wielder to stiffen an otherwise liquid or gaseous medium to travel upon it. Jelling works by binding material below the feet (or whatever) of its possessor with an energy matrix that makes it momentarily solid. Such a matrix can 'solidify' a plane of material within a maximum radius of this power's possessor as is determined by the Very Near range table.
The matrix created by jelling will 'roll' with its wielder, making a solid surface of new material as it comes into range and returning other matter to normal as it passes out of range. When using jelling, a character can move as fast as he or she otherwise could normally while on foot - the jeller simply has more options about where they actually do their walking.
Material jelled by this power is suspended in place with power rank value ability, and can always support the weight of its possessor. Jelling, when treated as an equivalent Brawn trait, can support additional mass if said Brawn value exceeds the weight of its wielder. A hero weighing in at one ton who possessed this power at rank value 50, for example, could support up to forty-nine additional tons!
A character with jelling can either maintain the same altitude while walking, or can climb up or down as desired. This is done by inducing an angle into the jelling process, which can have as severe a slope as one wishes. Thus, one can stroll leisurely from the ground into the sky, or even create a makeshift slide to descend to a surface incredibly fast.
Jelling can be customized in several fashions. The power may be limited such that it can only support its possessor, for one thing. This reduces its operating radius to the span of its wielder's stride (whether walking or running) as a weak limitation. Similarly, it can be curtailed such that it only works on either a liquid (such as water) or a gaseous (such as oxygen) medium as a strong limitation.
On the other hand, jelling may be enhanced by giving the possessor of this power the ability to consciously move the jelled matter. This allows him or her to 'ride' on it instead of having to manually walk wherever they are going. This is a strong enhancement to the power, and provides a velocity as determined by the air speed column - though jelling is usually capped at a maximum velocity of rank value 30.
Unless the jelling character (and anything riding along with him or her) is sufficiently resistant to air friction and can breathe at such high speeds, that is.
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Power Dampening
Type: Elementalism Spell
Duration: instantaneous effect
Cost: 1 point per rank value
A highly specialized form of energy control, power dampening allows its possessor to reduce the intensity of any ambient energies in their environment. With a successful power dampening ACTION roll against the intensity of the energy to be affected, the wielder of this ability may reduce it in intensity as much as he or she likes, whether completely negating it or just throttling its power a little bit.
If such energy is under the influence of someone with an energy control power of some sort, this ACTION must be made against that power's rank value, instead. This skill may be used to affect any form of energy, even those with psionic or magical components, as long as they are active within Near distance of its wielder. Power dampening immediately works on all energy forms, not needing a separate power stunt for each.