Elemental Attunement

Table of Contents
The connection of a sapient being to the elemental currents in the environment.

Causes

As a person matures, their attunement crystals grow on top of their skeleton. These crystals' chemical composition is a unique result of the person's metabolism and environment. Depending on that composition, the crystals become more suited to storing some forms of elemental energy than others. This, in turn, drives the rest of the organism to adapt to the favored elements.

Symptoms

Elemental Magic

Once the body has attuned to the most compatible elements, the individual gains the ability to sense the related currents in the environment. Part of the energy is absorbed and stored in the process.   Further practice will enable them to actively manipulate these currents. The stored energy allows the wielder to achieve meaningful changes, and learning to manage one's reserves is a major part of training.

Appearance

The attunement is reflected in the appearance of the person's back crystals, regardless of the species. While the currents themselves seem to be colorless, each element is linked to a specific chemical composition that determines the crystals' colors. Additionally, the stored energy makes the crystals glow, which indicates the strength of the individual's magic.   On some species, the attunement produces additional markings on their skin, scales, or hair. They are very vibrant on the Elves and some subspecies of Merfolk, but more subtle on the Serpentfolk and Lizardfolk.

Cultural Reception

Most cultures consider elemental attunement and the resulting powers a blessing, so they are highly motivated to foster it.   One notable exception are the Human nations controlled by the Creed of the Clear Mind. This religion is rooted in an ethnicity with low magical potential and propagates the belief that those powers cause moral decay. Therefore, they stunt the development of the attunement crystals via dietary and behavioral rules for children. They prohibit training them, and reading or wielding the elemental currents is severely punished.   Other cultures restrict the use of magic in outsiders or disliked subcultures. The Elves, for example, rely on the Werewolves for hard labor, so they need to accept that they are wielding the element of Body for added strength. However, the Elves strictly prohibit Body wielding outside professional contexts. They are also terrified of Mixbloods who inherit the magical potential from both species. Many kingdoms, therefore, persecute interspecies couples, and some even place the death penalty on having mixed offspring.
Type
Magical
Origin
Magical
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Common

Further Reading

Attunement Crystals
Material | Dec 27, 2024

Comments

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Jan 31, 2025 22:45 by Secere Laetes

Einfach schön, was sich aus diesen Kristallen ergibt. Gute Ergänzung, wobei mal wieder die Menschen unangenehm auffallen. Andererseits, wenn ich bedenke, was die Elfen anstellen... nicht wirklich besser. Was sind denn das für Regeln für Kinder, damit die Kristalle sich nicht richtig entwickeln/verkümmern, wenn man fragen darf?

Feb 3, 2025 22:44 by Kaleidechse

Die Regeln für Kinder betreffen vor allem das Anwenden von Magie, egal ob aktiv oder passiv. Da heißt es zum Beispiel "guck nicht zu lange ins Feuer" oder "geh nicht zu nah an die Bäume ran", damit sie nicht lernen, die Elementarströme zu lesen. Wer dabei erwischt wird, Magie anzuwenden, kriegt erst recht Ärger. Es gibt auch einige Pflanzen und Tiere, die in Regionen mit bestimmten Elementarströmen besonders gut gedeihen und diese in sich aufnehmen - die sind dann entsprechend als Nahrungsmittel tabu, bis die Kristalle ausgewachsen sind und sich nicht mehr anpassen können.   Wohlgemerkt, es sind nicht alle menschlichen Kulturen sind so drauf. Es ist eher so wie mit der Hexenverfolgung in der echten Welt - eine Religion dringt in ein neues Gebiet vor, und dadurch sind die Leute mit dem alten Wissen irgendwann nicht mehr hoch angesehene Mitglieder der Gemeinschaft, sondern Sündenbock für alles, was schief geht.


Creator of the Kaleidoscope System and the planet Miragia.