Rainstorms

Rainstorms occur when water falls from the sky and returns to the land. They range from light drizzles to heavy downpours, and some are accompanied by lightning and strong winds. Though they can be destructive, rainstorms provide essential moisture and nourishment for Elema’s ecosystems.
At their gentlest, they restore rivers, refill lakes, and sustain crops. At their strongest, they reshape terrain, erode soil, and test the resilience of settlements.

Manifestation

Rainstorms begin when surface water evaporates into vapor and rises into the atmosphere. In Elema, this process includes both water molecules and traces of water mana. As the vapor ascends, it cools and bonds with forming clouds—where cold air currents and wind mana assist in condensing the moisture into droplets.
As the droplets gather and grow heavier, gravity eventually overcomes the upward air currents. The accumulated water then falls back to the surface as rain, returning moisture to plants, rivers, lakes, and living beings.

Types of Rainfall

• Light Rain – A steady, gentle drizzle that restores moisture gradually. Many people find this type of rain calming and refreshing.
• Moderate Rain – Sustained rainfall capable of replenishing rivers and saturating soil. Farmers and gardeners often welcome this level of precipitation for the nourishment it provides to crops.
• Heavy Rain – Intense downpours that reduce visibility, soak terrain rapidly, and may lead to flooding. Most people seek shelter during these storms due to the risk of flash floods and hazardous conditions.
• Rain Mana Storm – A rare variant of heavy rain in which the droplets carry unusually high concentrations of water mana. When this rain falls on soil and plant life, it can greatly enhance growth and restore mana-depleted land. In excess, however, it may temporarily overcharge the ground with mana.
• Creatures attuned to water magic may feel a slight surge of energy during such storms. Spells cast in these conditions can feel marginally stronger or easier to shape—though not dramatically so. The rain itself often feels heavier than normal due to its dense mana content.

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Heavy storms are often accompanied by strong winds, thunder, and lightning—forming what most regions classify as thunderstorms. Lightning occurs when charged wind currents, water droplets, and excess atmospheric mana create an unstable energy imbalance. When that energy discharges, it releases as a lightning strike. These storms can be dangerous. Lightning strikes, flash floods, poor visibility, and unstable ground all pose serious risks. In extreme cases, prolonged rainfall may contribute to landslides or intensify the effects of other natural disasters.

Snowstorms Despite these dangers, rain remains one of the most vital restorative forces in Elema, maintaining balance within its ecosystems.

Localization

Rainstorms can occur almost anywhere in the world. Most atmospheric moisture originates from large bodies of water oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes though the resulting storm systems may travel far inland before releasing rainfall.
The only regions where traditional rainstorms do not occur are those consistently below freezing. In such climates, precipitation falls as snowstorms, which follow similar atmospheric principles but bring their own distinct effects and hazards.

Type

Natural