Gathering

Gathering is the simplest form of essence magic. A new esh will first learn to connect with the essence to which they are most compatible. From there, they learn to gather what is around them.
Each esh is attuned to a specific essence, although in the case of aliq-esh, they are connected to two equally rather than one. Any esh can learn to manipulate any essence. However, the one to which they are most connected will be the simplest for them to manipulate and thus most esh focus on that.
In order to gather essence, there are two parameters. The first is the amount of a given essence in the environment. An esh, no matter how powerful, cannot gather what does not exist around them. The second is power. The most powerful an esh is, the greater the radius around them from which they can draw and the greater amount of an essence they can control at once.
The creation of an essence is possible with a few. First, heat and light can be generated anywhere by making fire. The esh will then be limited to the amount of both created by the fire itself. Liquid can be gained from melting ice or another substance. Void is the easiest to gain as all that is needed is to create a shadow. Because of this, void essence users are very difficult to imprison as they can create at least some of their attuned essence anywhere. Air functions is a similar manner as it is all around.
When an esh is learning to gather, they will be taught hand motions that are meant to help visualize the gathering process. This technique helps new esh to concentrate on simply drawing a given essence to themselves. As an esh becomes more skilled, these motions become unnecessary and they are able to gather essence as they see fit in whatever location they wish, as long as they can clearly visualize what they want.
For example, if an esh can only use their power within a two meter radius, they will not be able to manipulate it beyond this range even if they gathered it within. Growth in power increases both range and the amount of essence that can be controlled.