protean

Proteans are a type of spirit which is composed primarily of one of the elements. Proper proteans are fully sapient, though the term is often applied by laymen to insensate creatures composed of the elements which are more properly known as elementals. Proteans are present on most realms and many minor realms, serving as physical embodiments of the elements and their aspects.

Origin

Proteans arise spontaneously from any concentrated reserve of elements. The stronger the source, the faster proteans are produced. This production of proteans slowly depletes the reserve of elements, though rarely quickly enough to be noticeable over mortal lifetimes. Their creation appears to be triggered by the accumulation of other elements in the reserve, providing the protean a physical form. When the protean dies, the original elemental power returns to its source, with the external elements remaining in the body. This purges the source of foreign elements, preventing it from being degraded over time.
Magic can also create a protean by mixing the necessary combination of elements, but such things are rarely done as the created protean emerges full formed with a will and personality of its own.

Types

Proteans take many different forms, each of which has a variation based on each primordial element. Some have variants based on demielements and a few have variants based on the antielements. The most common types are:

• Albus - Lithe and graceful, albus are the most mystical and philosophical of the proteans. The come only in fundamental varieties.
• Aves - Among the most powerful and majestic of proteans, aves are birdlike creatures which possess incredible magic abilities. They come solely in fundamental varieties.
• Djinn - Often called the nobles of the protean world, djinn are powerful beings who often serve as leaders of protean societies. They are solely formed from the six fundamental elements.
• Drakes - Resembling dragons composed entirely of one of the elements, drakes are dangerous and reclusive, rarely interacting with other proteans. They come in fundamental, demielemental, and antielemental varieties.
• Giants - Massive creatures standing up to eight meters tall and possessing immense strength, giants serve as elite soldiers and guardians. Giants come in both fundamental and demielemental varieties.
• Imps - Small and clever creatures, imps are capable of minor magical feats. They frequently serve as familiars to mages. Imps come in fundamental, demielemental, and antielemental varieties.
• Min - Stout, hearty creatures, the min possess great endurance and fortitude, often performing difficult labors. They come in fundamental and demielemental varieties.
• Nymphs - Perhaps the most common protean, nymphs often take the form of mortal creatures, occasionally coming to live among them. They appear in fundamental and demielemental varieties.
• Trolls - Possessing great strength and the ability to heal from nearly any wound, trolls are the front line soldiers of the proteans. They come in fundamental and demielemental forms.

Culture

Many proteans live solitary lives, with aves and drakes exclusively doing so. The rest form loose communities, often living in the wilds far from mortal settlements. They typically inhabit areas with a strong elemental connection, though not the elemental reserves they came from. Locations such as primeval forest, mountain tops, volcanoes, glaciers, and jungles serve as common areas where proteans live. Due to the diverse nature of many of these biomes, different varieties of protean often live in close proximity to each other. This means, for example, that wood and water proteans could be found together at the edges of a raging jungle river, while ice, earth, and air elements can be found together on cloud-ringed, snow covered mountain peaks.
These loose communities are hierarchical collectives, typically with one or more djinn serving as the leader, giants and trolls as protectors, and the other varieties pursuing relatively esoteric activities. Protean societies do not produce any material goods to a significant level, but individuals typically pursue a number of artistic endeavors. Common creations include jewelry, sculpture, and metalwork. Their creations are often objects of incredible beauty and many have minor magical properties.
Protean societies tend to be fairly reclusive, rarely interacting with mortals unless their domains are encroached upon. Mortals who disrupt the natural order of their homes can find themselves driven off or beguiled into leaving. Most proteans prefer to pursue their own personal interests, wishing to be left alone by mortals. However, some groups find themselves beset by the same failings as mortals, such as greed, lust, and thirst for power. Such groups may raid or even conquer mortal settlements, using their dangerous powers to quickly crush resistance.