Elementite

A "mineral" that rapidly forms in environments rich in Mana, Elementite is a form of condensed Mana that's been stabilized into a solid form through a layering process of multiple Auras with Elemental attributes. A type of Manatite, Elementite is the most common form of naturally occurring Mana Condensation.

## Characteristics and Appearance

Elementite is a form of solidified magical energy identifiable by its crystalline shape and internal structure. It is composed of a lattice of minute filaments that form from the residue of multiple magical Auras with similar properties overlapping. These filaments slowly grow together and fuse in patterns determined by the shape and positions of the interacting Auras and environmental factors (such as preciptation).

Elementite's properties determine its color, which can vary tremendously. Common colors and their usual Elemental Attributes include:

* Red: Fire, Blood, Magma
* Orange: Time, Pyre, Dust
* Yellow: Thunder, Light, Sulphur, Life, Air
* Green: Wood, Poison, Life, Ooze
* Blue: Ice, Water, Steam
* Indigo: Water, Mind, Spirit
* Violet: Darkness, Mind, Taint, Death
* Gray: Metal, Mist, Mercury, Smoke
* White: Light, Song, Ice, Salt, Life
* Black: Darkness, Void, Grave, Death, Oil
* Brown: Earth, Wood, Ooze
* Magenta: Taint, Poison, Ooze
* Cyan: Ice, Water, Air

As should be apparent, color is not a clear identifier of the Elemental Attributes for a given Elementite formation. Particularly when accounting for shades and mixed-attribute Elementite. Such Elementite often seems to have veins, inclusions, or gilding of other forms of Elementite.

Elementite tends to resemble multifaceted quartz formations attached to physical objects, or even creatures in certain cases. In the latter case, often as part of cyst-like growths on and in the bodies of Beasts, Genasi, and various Elementals. Common Elementals often use fragments of Elementite as temporary physical vessels for their Spirits. Elementite can form *around* objects as well, potentially merging with them and granting them a degree of magical power and elemental attributes.

Elementite possesses a natural Aura of its own that shares its elemental attributes. This Aura can influence the environment around it, amplifying natural and magical phenomena and generating elemental effects. It can also reproduce in this manner, after a fashion, as its own Aura interacts with other elemental energies present in the environment, including other Elementite formations.

Elementite is not naturally sentient or alive, but can be inhabited by various Spirits, particularly Elementals and Fae, and it can also be used to create Constructs such as Golems.

## Uses

Elementite has a wide variety of uses but is mostly associated with the creation of Magic Items, both Consumables and Durables. The raw energy and elemental properties of the substance are incorporated into existing materials through careful manipulation of the Elementite's crystalline lattice, destabilizing it and merging it with existing materials that provide an alternative structure.

It is also frequently used as a component in spellcasting itself. The energy contained within can be released as an alternative to using the caster's own Mana, so long as the Elementite used is aligned with the attributes of the spell. They can also be used to activate more powerful versions of spells by serving as an amplifier... or as a powerful explosive, by triggering it with a sufficiently powerful or conflicting energy.

Due to its quality of emanating an Elemental Aura, Elementite has potentially useful effects on environments. It can be used as a heating or cooling implement, to stabilize soil and promote crop growth, ward off pests, provide pure water, generate electricity, produce light or shade, and even electricity. Some versions have uses in medicine as well, promoting natural healing and recovery.

Elementite can be used as a physical body by certain types of Spirits, such as Elementals, Fae, and Incorporeal Undead, though the latter two categories tend to favor Occultite.

Constructs such as Golems can be crafted from Elementite, or otherwise incorporate the material as a component. This results in Constructs that possess elemental attributes and capabilities.

Elementite can be used as a defensive measure when incorporated into fortifications due to its Aura.

Elementite is a key component in Manaware, a style of advanced Magic Items designed to be worn by or incorporated *in* creatures, found primarily in Arima, Fantasia, and Scholomance and often colloquially referred to as "Manapunk" items.

## Dangers

Manatite in any form is potentially volatile, as it’s an accretion of magical energy condensed to the point of a solid, tangible form. While it’s generally stable as Elementite, if exposed to a sufficiently contradictory energy, it may rapidly destabilize. The lattice that supports and traps the formation's energy collapses in this case, causing the formation to shatter and disintegrate into a wave of elemental energy... which displaces matter in the environment precisely as a normally explosion would. As such, one must take care when using magic around it.

Elementite can produce potentially hazardous Auras. Examples include extreme heat or cold, toxic fumes, electromagnetic fields, temporal distortions, and more.

Elementite, if left unattended for extended periods of time, can grow over infrastructure. This can cause the deterioration of buildings, bridges, roads, and fortifications due to the influence of the Elementite's Aura and weight. It can also block passages. However, this normally takes months, or even years, to occur.

Elementite can impact local flora and fauna, imbuing them with potentially problematic elemental attributes over time, exposure, or consumption. This may amplify the qualities of existing life, such as by rendering already-toxic toadstools into something even more poisonous.

Elementite attracts Beasts, which seem to be able to feed on the substance, gaining elemental attributes in the process and thus becoming more powerful.

## Where to Find It

Manatite in general only forms in places that are rich in ambient Mana, and Elementite is no exception. It's normally found along the routes of Ley Lines, near Mana Wells, and on or around Touchstones. It can also be found in and around Manifest Zones, and at points where strong magical energies interact or have particular intensity. For example, Wood Elementite might appear in the ancient heart of a dense forest with great frequency, while the forest's outskirts might have less prominent deposits of the same, as well as that of other Elements.

Points of elemental conflict tend to result in mixed-attribute Elementite of smaller size than that produced by interactions between similar elements. For example, small Dust-Water Elementite crystals are common on beaches, but one could find larger pure Dust Crystals more readily in an arid region, and Water Crystals at the mouth of a river or the ocean bottom.

## Relationship with Organisms

Mana within a living body circulates naturally. However, under certain circumstances it can become congested and condensed. This is uncommon in higher life, such as the Races of Man and modern Monsters. However, among common wildlife (including both plant and animal), it is possible for this energy to become disrupted after extensive exposure to, injury from, or consumption of environmental Manatite... especially Elementite. This can result in the formation of Elementite Calculi, particularly bezoars, but also other forms. These crystals may cause pain or discomfort, but usually do not; their unusual properties cause them to essentially function as a natural part of the host's body, even when occurring in a complex organ such as the eye or brain. However, these crystal formations do cause unusual symptoms in the afflicted, frequently bestowing resistance to that Element and often granting access to magical effects or Enchantment-like properties.

These Calculi are especially common in Beasts, those afflicted with Beast Syndrome, and Feral and Mutant Monsters, perhaps due to their own inherently disrupted Mana circulation. This has affected the market for remains of Beasts, who often already have bounties on their heads for proof of kills and for the valuable resources their carcasses represent. As these corpses often contain valuable Elementite that may or may not be directly merged with workable materials already, they're much sought-after in the creation of magic items and Adventurers' equipment.