Elementals- I'm forming my myth

[derv]

I've always taken their description and inclusion in D&D (as well as Chainmail) at face value. There's the four elements of nature and there's these four elemental forces that can be conjured from those elements. I never gave them much more thought.

I was curious about their origins, though, both in myth and literature, that might have influenced their inclusion. Of course I thought of Greek and Roman myth with Poseidon/Neptune, Zues/Jupiter, & Hades/Pluto. I also remembered there being elementals in Moorcock's Elric novels. But, I couldn't bring much else to mind.

So, I did a web search and discovered there's alot of weird stuff out there

Actually, what I've been reading is causing me to re-think how I organize my own fantasy myth. My own thoughts on the creatures, where they fit in a setting, and how they came to be, is at the moment disattatched. But, the Elementals might just be the means of creating a logical link between all the creatures found in M&T.

The ancients looked at the elements as natures building blocks and there was some superstition/folklore that went hand-in-hand with that as well. Much of the traditions had to do with spirits. In the Medieval times it would also influence philosophy, alchemy and religion through the practice of exorcism of these same spirits.

The four elementals are referenced with the following nature spirits (these were classified by the 16th century physician Paracelsus):

Air: Sylphs
Earth: Gnomes (Goblins, Trolls, Fairies)
Fire: Salamanders (Dragons)
Water: Nymphs & Undines (Mermaids)

Out of all of these, only Salamanders are directly spoken of as minor elementals in D&D.

Some material suggests that the Elementals are ruled by Devas or Guardians (Archangels). It also talks of the results of human-elemental union.

Much of what I'm coming across are New Age writings and mysticism such as Rosicrucianism.

Here's my myth in a nutshell. You have the Dieties & Demigods, which might include Guardians and Demons, then you have the Elementals, which include the minor spirits. Depending on your setting, you have humans and there offspring. All others might be mixed offspring of Elementals, Humans, and or Guardians to a greater or lesser extent.

I'll have to come up with my origins story at another time

Any thoughts? What's your myth, if you have one?

[derv]

There was another thread on here about why Magic-users can't wear armor. Just to tie in with my myth and offer some rationale to this restriction I offer that it is because all magic comes from the elements. A magic-user must avoid any conflicting elemental interference when he is harnessing, distorting, manipulating the powers of nature- the very fabric of the universe.

In truth, to avoid any distortions from the cosmos a Magic-user would be far better off practicing his art in the nude  

[tetramorph]

derv, very nice. I like this a lot. I had never seen the different fay creatures lined up to the elements in quite that way before.

I am very influenced by Lewis' The Discarded Image. He has a whole chapter on the "Longaevi," which deals with this exactly. You may find it helpful.

What is a sylph? Sounds scary.

[derv]

Thanks tetramorph.

Yes, I think Lewis' Longaevi would fit nicely with this line of thought. It's interesting, once you start looking at different myth origins, how there are often common threads. Whether this was the result of conquest and later syncretism or simply shared primitive rationale of the physical world and migration, possibly all the above, is something to ponder.

This isn't an area of my expertise, but I do find it fascinating.

Sylphs seem to be a term entirely originating with Paracelsus. Some say it is a combination of "Sylphus or Silva", and "nymph". They were a race of invisible beings of the air.

[derv]

After doing a bit of research, I'm still unclear of the source for Gary and Perren including Elementals in Chainmail, then consequently in D&D also. They're not very Arthurian or Tolkienesque. Could it have been from comic books such as Dr. Strange? Maybe it was from Moorcock's writing alone? Though, only the short stories that comprise "Stealer of Souls" and "Stormbringer" would have been published prior to Chainmail. Or is there some other literary source that it stems from? The more I think of their inclusion, The more they seem out of place with the other creatures, especially when you consider how powerful they are. Anyone have any insight?