Difference between revisions of "Religions"

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==History==
==Introduction==
The perception of religion in Asmythe has changed over the ages. There are many creatures of immense power who we mortals could, and often have, worshiped as deities.
Religions in Asmythe are based on real and physical beings with demonstrable power, the Elder Dragons, in eternal slumber whose dreams create reality. Religious practice in Asmythe is based on the power of self and the development of physical and mental discipline.  


===The First Era===
Each of the Elder Dragons, commonly known as Eldragon, are associated with a set of emotions and manifest in the world through these emotions. Dragon priests gain power from the Elder Dragons when they experience these emotions.  
In the first era the races of Asmythe worshiped Ilthids as gods and the Ilthids worshiped the dragons. This live of reverence saturated society; there were no priests or clerics because the gods were ever-present in the lives and minds of the people of Asmythe.


===The Second Era===
The Eldragon manifestations are ethereal and shapeless; they have no physical form or ego of their own. Yet through the thoughts and actions of the Dragon Priests they have acquired physical appearances. These physical metaphors vary as greatly as the Elder Dragons themselves; some are human or humanoid, some are animal, some are elemental, and most are a combination of each. The priests don't agree if these manifestations are facets of the Elder Dragons themselves, or apparitions created by the minds of the priest attempting to understand the ineffable.
In the second era the Ilthids disappeared and the races of the world gave worship directly to the dragons. In this age temples were created through which the dragon priests became the conduit between the people and the dragons they revered.


===The Third Era===
Although Elder Dragons are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The Elder Dragons themselves aren't particular about race or nation but the races and nations are particular about their Elder Dragons. Each nation usually gives patronage to one of the six families of Dragon, the "dragon domain". These dragon domain are, in turn, aligned against each other.
Although the dragon priests persisted through the third era their influence waned; the dragon no longer gave power or guidance to their people. In the third era the monotheistic religion of the human empire, The Priests of Sol, gained some popularity but was tempered by the savagery of the goblins and their ancestral gods.


===The Current Era===
==Domains==
The current era began when the true gods revealed themselves to Asmythe. Worship of the true gods of Asmythe has all but eradicated any other worship, not by decree or destiny but because none can deny the true power of the true gods.
The six families of Eldragons are aligned in three oppositions. Elder Dragons and clerics of each dragon domain are eternally in conflict with the Elder Dragons and clerics of the opposed dragon domain. Only Acedia is neutral.
 
==The Gods==
Gods are a manifestation of the Forge, given shape by emotion. Priests of the gods gain power when people feel the emotions that the gods embody; clerics and disciples of the gods are devoted to instilling those feelings and emotions in others.
 
The gods are ethereal and shapeless; they have no physical form or ego of their own but have acquired such by the thoughts and actions of their worshipers. These physical metaphors vary as greatly as the gods themselves; some are human or humanoid, some are animal, some are elemental, and most are a combination of each.
 
Although gods are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The gods themselves aren't particular about race or nation but the races and nations are particular about their gods. Each nation usually gives patronage to one of the six families of god, the "cosmos". These cosmos are, in turn, aligned against each other.
 
Note: What most fantasy role-playing games call deities would be considered eternals in Asmythe. The gods of Asmythe are for more primal and abstract.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Deity!!Alignment!!Influence
|-
|Acedia||NN||''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference
|-
|Ankou||CN||''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
|-
|Arwenna||LG||''Awe'',Wonder
|-
|Erida||CE||''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear
|-
|Eros||CG||''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
|-
|G'Kar||LN||''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
|-
|Hotei||NG||''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
|-
|Hybris||LN||''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
|-
|Irae||LE||''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity
|-
|Laetitia||CG||''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
|-
|Lyssa||CN||''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
|-
|Malu||LE||''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
|-
|Nedolya||NE||''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
|-
|Penthos||NE||''Grief'',Guilt,Misery
|-
|Rus'Ker||CE||''Terror'',Shock,Surprise,Horror
|-
|Sekhmet||NE||''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
|-
|Sirona||LG||''Love'',Affection,Hope
|-
|Vor||NG||''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
|-
|Zelos||NN||''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness,Loneliness
|-
|}
 
==Cosmos==
The six families of gods, the Cosmos, are aligned in three oppositions. Gods and clerics of each cosmos are eternally fighting against the gods and clerics of the opposed cosmos. Only Acedia is neutral.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Health vs. Pain
|+Health vs. Pain
|-
|-
!Health Cosmos!!Pain Cosmos
!Health Domain!!Pain Domain
|-
|-
|
|
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Selfless vs. Selfish
|+Wisdom vs. Ambition
|-
|-
!Selfless Cosmos!!Selfish Cosmos
!Wisdom Domain!!Ambition Domain
|-
|-
|
|
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|+Fate vs. Fanatic
|+Fate vs. Fanatic
|-
|-
!Fate Cosmos!!Fanatic Cosmos
!Nature Domain!!Industry Domain
|-
|-
|
|
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|}
|}


===Health Cosmos===
===Health, Life Domain===
The gods of the health cosmos are aligned to promote the health, welfare, and propagation of life.
Characters following this domain promote health, welfare, and propagation of life. The health domain is associated with the afternoon hours between mid-day and dusk.


===Pain Cosmos===
===Pain, Death Domain===
The gods of pain kill and destroy.
Characters following this domain inflict pain, kill, and destroy life. The pain domain is associated with the deep night, between midnight and dawn.


===Selfless Cosmos===
===Wisdom, Selfless Domain===
The gods of selflessness are those of nature and learning.
Characters following this domain put nature and the happiness of others above their own. They help all people, even those they don't agree with and expect no reward for their actions. The selfless domain is associated with the morning hours between dawn and mid-day.


===Selfish Cosmos===
===Ambition, Selfish Domain===
The goal of the selfish cosmos is personal gain and attainment, often at the expense of others.
Characters following this domain strive to become the best person they can, the richest, smartest, strongest, and most powerful. They will gladly help others, when the reward outweighs the effort. The Selfish domain is associated with evening between dusk and midnight.


===Fate Cosmos===
===Nature, Fate Domain===
The gods of fate believe in the togetherness of the universe, and that individuals have but a small part to play in the whole.
Characters following this domain believe in the wholeness of the universe, and that individuals are pawns in the grand design. There are no coincidences and nothing is random. Followers of the fate domain "go with the flow" and will actively support and encourage the natural flow of the world. "Everything happens for a reason and we are not here to judge the way of the dragons."
The fate domain is associated with the dawn and the sunrise.


===Fanatic Cosmos===
===Industry, Fanatic Domain===
Fanatics are dedicated to a single purpose at the expense of all else and, usually, the prosecution of those not aligned to the purpose. The specific purpose varies greatly by god and cleric but is always something "greater" than the clerics themselves.
Characters following this domain are dedicated to a single purpose at the expense of all else and, usually, the prosecution of those not aligned to the purpose. The specific purpose will vary greatly by but is always building or creating something "greater" than the clerics themselves. They seek to change the world into a design of their own choosing and nothing is more important than bringing about that change. The fanatic domain is associated with dusk and the setting sun.


==Descriptions==
==Elder Dragons==
The driving purpose of each god is to instill specific feelings and emotions in people. The gods gain power from these emotions and use that power to infuse their clerics with supernatural abilities.
The elder dragons are each infinitely powerful and also have a tendency toward specific aspects of thought and influence.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Dragon!!Alignment!!Influence!!Color
|-
|Acedia||NN||''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference||Gray
|-
|Ankou||CN||''Despair'',Anguish,Dread||Teal
|-
|Arwenna||LG||''Awe'',Wonder||White
|-
|Erida||CE||''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear||Red
|-
|Eros||CG||''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust||Pink
|-
|G'Kar||LN||''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration||Lime
|-
|Hotei||NG||''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction||Green
|-
|Hybris||LN||''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride||Orange
|-
|Irae||LE||''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity||Brown
|-
|Laetitia||CG||''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure||Yellow
|-
|Lyssa||CN||''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry||Violet
|-
|Malu||LE||''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment||Tan
|-
|Nedolya||NE||''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering||Blue
|-
|Penthos||NE||''Grief'',Guilt,Misery||Purple
|-
|Rus'Ker||CE||''Terror'',Shock,Surprise,Horror||Black
|-
|Sekhmet||NE||''Anger'',Angst,Hostility||Red
|-
|Sirona||LG||''Love'',Affection,Hope||Yellow
|-
|Vor||NG||''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement||Silver
|-
|Zelos||NN||''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness,Loneliness||Green
|-
|}


===Acedia===
===Acedia===
NN -- ''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference
TN -- ''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference
 
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Ankou===
===Ankou===
CN -- ''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
CN -- ''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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LG -- ''Awe'',Wonder
LG -- ''Awe'',Wonder


Arwenna represents the manifestation of magic and the Forge and a connection to the other planes. She is the highest and most pure realization of knowledge and magical prowess.
Arwenna represents the manifestation of magic and the Forge and a connection to the other realms. She is the highest and most pure realization of knowledge and magical prowess.
 
Avatar -- Arwenna takes the form of a glowing orb of warm light that pierces all shadows and stirs the air with a pleasant spring breeze. This manifestation has no physical form but can be felt with all senses.


Symbol -- Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.
Symbol -- Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.
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CE -- ''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear
CE -- ''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear


Avatar
Blackness, Darkness
 
Symbol


===Eros===
===Eros===
CG -- ''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
CG -- ''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===G'Kar===
===G'Kar===
LN -- ''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
LN -- ''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Hotei===
===Hotei===
NG -- ''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
NG -- ''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Hybris===
===Hybris===
LN -- ''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
LN -- ''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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LE -- ''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity
LE -- ''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity


Avatar
Blue, Lightning


Symbol
Symbol
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===Laetitia===
===Laetitia===
CG -- ''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
CG -- ''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Lyssa===
===Lyssa===
CN -- ''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
CN -- ''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Malu===
===Malu===
LE -- ''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
LE -- ''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Nedolya===
===Nedolya===
NE -- ''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
NE -- ''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
Avatar -- A frail old hag who lurks in the shadows.


Symbol --  
Symbol --  
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NE -- ''Grief'',Guilt,Loneliness,Misery
NE -- ''Grief'',Guilt,Loneliness,Misery


Avatar
Penthos is also known as the dragon of hunger. Followers of Penthos eat dead people, the fresher the corpse the better.


Symbol
Symbol -- Crossed bones with four stars around it.


===Rus'Ker===
===Rus'Ker===
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Rus'Ker is often associated with death and dying, especially in a gruesome and unexpected way. Disciples of Rus'Ker also defile the dead and more than any other priests make use of undead minions.
Rus'Ker is often associated with death and dying, especially in a gruesome and unexpected way. Disciples of Rus'Ker also defile the dead and more than any other priests make use of undead minions.
Avatar -- Rus'Ker takes the form of a hulking skinless golem of bone and muscle. His appearance is horrifying to see with broken bones and torn flesh formed in unnatural ways. He moves supernaturally fast and can change his shape to resemble any creature or person, especially somebody familiar.


Symbol -- Rus'Ker's followers identify themselves with the image of a cracked skull painted red on a black background, the eyes are starbursts of pure white.
Symbol -- Rus'Ker's followers identify themselves with the image of a cracked skull painted red on a black background, the eyes are starbursts of pure white.
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===Sekhmet===
===Sekhmet===
NE -- ''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
NE -- ''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Sirona===
===Sirona===
LG -- ''Love'',Affection,Hope
LG -- ''Love'',Affection,Hope
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Vor===
===Vor===
NG -- ''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
NG -- ''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Zelos===
===Zelos===
NN -- ''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness
NN -- ''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol


==Eternals==
==Elementals==
See also: [[Almanac#Cosmology|Cosmology]]
See also: [[Almanac#Cosmology|Cosmology]]


All things spring from the Forge and all things have within them an ember of life. In some things this ember burns more strongly. Eternals are creatures whose ember is very strong. Eternals are the oldest and strongest creatures of the Forge; they are creatures of immensely powerful magic and can often travel freely between the plans. Eternals are beings like Demons, Devils, Angels, Divines, Elementals, Fey, and Dragons who, although very powerful, usually can not bestow powers directly to their followers. Eternals empower their followers by teaching them how to access arcane and divine powers that already existed; in the rare case that an eternal can "lend" a power directly to a follower the power may be taken back or lost at the will of the eternal.
An elemental is any create from any plane other than Asmythe. Usually Dragon Priests don't have the power to summon elementals, except from some conceptual planes. But since most elementals are sentient they can be affected by dragon magic.
 
Not all creatures from other planes are eternals; just as not all creatures of Asmythe are dragon or fey so too does each plane have it's own ecosystem with only the strongest worthy of the title "eternal".
 
===Native Eternals===
Dragons and Fey are native to the realm of Asmythe.
 
===Celestials===
Eternals of the "upper" conceptual planes, the celestials are angels and other beings of light and goodness.
 
===Abyssals===
Abyssals are eternals of the "lower" conceptual planes; demons and other beings of darkness and evil.
 
===Elementals===
All other eternals are collectively called "elementals" even when they are not strictly creatures of water, fire, shadow, tapioca, etc. The planes are infinite and the creatures of the planes doubly so.

Revision as of 13:54, 18 January 2022

Introduction

Religions in Asmythe are based on real and physical beings with demonstrable power, the Elder Dragons, in eternal slumber whose dreams create reality. Religious practice in Asmythe is based on the power of self and the development of physical and mental discipline.

Each of the Elder Dragons, commonly known as Eldragon, are associated with a set of emotions and manifest in the world through these emotions. Dragon priests gain power from the Elder Dragons when they experience these emotions.

The Eldragon manifestations are ethereal and shapeless; they have no physical form or ego of their own. Yet through the thoughts and actions of the Dragon Priests they have acquired physical appearances. These physical metaphors vary as greatly as the Elder Dragons themselves; some are human or humanoid, some are animal, some are elemental, and most are a combination of each. The priests don't agree if these manifestations are facets of the Elder Dragons themselves, or apparitions created by the minds of the priest attempting to understand the ineffable.

Although Elder Dragons are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The Elder Dragons themselves aren't particular about race or nation but the races and nations are particular about their Elder Dragons. Each nation usually gives patronage to one of the six families of Dragon, the "dragon domain". These dragon domain are, in turn, aligned against each other.

Domains

The six families of Eldragons are aligned in three oppositions. Elder Dragons and clerics of each dragon domain are eternally in conflict with the Elder Dragons and clerics of the opposed dragon domain. Only Acedia is neutral.

Health vs. Pain
Health Domain Pain Domain
  • Eros
  • Hotei
  • Laetitia
  • Nedolya
  • Penthos
  • Rus'Ker
Wisdom vs. Ambition
Wisdom Domain Ambition Domain
  • Arwenna
  • Vor
  • Sirona
  • Malu
  • Zelos
  • Irae
Fate vs. Fanatic
Nature Domain Industry Domain
  • G'Kar
  • Ankou
  • Lyssa
  • Sekhmet
  • Erida
  • Hybris

Health, Life Domain

Characters following this domain promote health, welfare, and propagation of life. The health domain is associated with the afternoon hours between mid-day and dusk.

Pain, Death Domain

Characters following this domain inflict pain, kill, and destroy life. The pain domain is associated with the deep night, between midnight and dawn.

Wisdom, Selfless Domain

Characters following this domain put nature and the happiness of others above their own. They help all people, even those they don't agree with and expect no reward for their actions. The selfless domain is associated with the morning hours between dawn and mid-day.

Ambition, Selfish Domain

Characters following this domain strive to become the best person they can, the richest, smartest, strongest, and most powerful. They will gladly help others, when the reward outweighs the effort. The Selfish domain is associated with evening between dusk and midnight.

Nature, Fate Domain

Characters following this domain believe in the wholeness of the universe, and that individuals are pawns in the grand design. There are no coincidences and nothing is random. Followers of the fate domain "go with the flow" and will actively support and encourage the natural flow of the world. "Everything happens for a reason and we are not here to judge the way of the dragons." The fate domain is associated with the dawn and the sunrise.

Industry, Fanatic Domain

Characters following this domain are dedicated to a single purpose at the expense of all else and, usually, the prosecution of those not aligned to the purpose. The specific purpose will vary greatly by but is always building or creating something "greater" than the clerics themselves. They seek to change the world into a design of their own choosing and nothing is more important than bringing about that change. The fanatic domain is associated with dusk and the setting sun.

Elder Dragons

The elder dragons are each infinitely powerful and also have a tendency toward specific aspects of thought and influence.

Dragon Alignment Influence Color
Acedia NN Apathy,Boredom,Depression,Indifference Gray
Ankou CN Despair,Anguish,Dread Teal
Arwenna LG Awe,Wonder White
Erida CE Hatred,Loathing,Rage,Fear Red
Eros CG Passion,Arousal,Desire,Lust Pink
G'Kar LN Disappointment,Annoyance,Frustration Lime
Hotei NG Happiness,Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction Green
Hybris LN Boldness,Fearlessness,Pride Orange
Irae LE Contempt,Disgust,Pity Brown
Laetitia CG Joy,Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure Yellow
Lyssa CN Panic,Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry Violet
Malu LE Shame,Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment Tan
Nedolya NE Sadness,Sorrow,Suffering Blue
Penthos NE Grief,Guilt,Misery Purple
Rus'Ker CE Terror,Shock,Surprise,Horror Black
Sekhmet NE Anger,Angst,Hostility Red
Sirona LG Love,Affection,Hope Yellow
Vor NG Curiosity,Interest,Excitement Silver
Zelos NN Envy,Jealousy,Shyness,Loneliness Green

Acedia

TN -- Apathy,Boredom,Depression,Indifference

Symbol

Ankou

CN -- Despair,Anguish,Dread

Symbol

Arwenna

LG -- Awe,Wonder

Arwenna represents the manifestation of magic and the Forge and a connection to the other realms. She is the highest and most pure realization of knowledge and magical prowess.

Symbol -- Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.

Erida

CE -- Hatred,Loathing,Rage,Fear

Blackness, Darkness

Eros

CG -- Passion,Arousal,Desire,Lust

Symbol

G'Kar

LN -- Disappointment,Annoyance,Frustration

Symbol

Hotei

NG -- Happiness,Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction

Symbol

Hybris

LN -- Boldness,Fearlessness,Pride

Symbol

Irae

LE -- Contempt,Disgust,Pity

Blue, Lightning

Symbol

Laetitia

CG -- Joy,Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure

Symbol

Lyssa

CN -- Panic,Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry

Symbol

Malu

LE -- Shame,Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment

Symbol

Nedolya

NE -- Sadness,Sorrow,Suffering

Symbol --

Penthos

NE -- Grief,Guilt,Loneliness,Misery

Penthos is also known as the dragon of hunger. Followers of Penthos eat dead people, the fresher the corpse the better.

Symbol -- Crossed bones with four stars around it.

Rus'Ker

CE -- Terror,Shock,Surprise,Horror

Rus'Ker is often associated with death and dying, especially in a gruesome and unexpected way. Disciples of Rus'Ker also defile the dead and more than any other priests make use of undead minions.

Symbol -- Rus'Ker's followers identify themselves with the image of a cracked skull painted red on a black background, the eyes are starbursts of pure white.

Sekhmet

NE -- Anger,Angst,Hostility

Symbol

Sirona

LG -- Love,Affection,Hope

Symbol

Vor

NG -- Curiosity,Interest,Excitement

Symbol

Zelos

NN -- Envy,Jealousy,Shyness

Symbol

Elementals

See also: Cosmology

An elemental is any create from any plane other than Asmythe. Usually Dragon Priests don't have the power to summon elementals, except from some conceptual planes. But since most elementals are sentient they can be affected by dragon magic.