Lore:Elements

The elements are the basic constituents of Nirn. The ancient Ayleids believed Nirn was composed of four elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Light. The element of Fire was not recognized by their culture, although modern mages consider Fire to be one of the five elements of creation. Practitioners of Flesh Magic believe that Flesh is the sixth element.

Air

An Air Atronach

Air is one of the basic elements of creation. In Tsaesci culture, Ilni represents the Air element. The Beldama Wyrd worship a trapped Ehlnofey known as the Guardian of the Air, an ancient being that represents the element in its true form. Air Atronachs are a type of Elemental Daedra formed from pure air. They are believed to possess the combined powers of Flame Atronachs, Frost Atronachs, and Storm Atronachs.

Earth

An Earth Ehlnofey

Earth is one of the basic elements of creation. In Tsaesci culture, Nyfa represents the Earth element. The Beldama Wyrd worship a trapped Ehlnofey known as the Guardian of the Earth, an ancient being that represents the element in its true form.

Fire

Fire Magic

Fire is the fifth element of creation. It was not recognized by the ancient Ayleids, who preferred to associate it with the element of Light. In Tsaesci culture, Myn represents the Fire element. Practitioners of the School of Destruction utilize elemental fire magic to create offensive spells. In certain island cultures, Arius is known as the God of Fire. Certain fires have been known to possess magical connections to Aetherius, such as the Dragonfires, Direfrost Flame, and Flame of the Harbinger.

The Pandrum Clan of Orcs (also known as the Fire Clan) supposedly wielded fire as both a weapon and as a tool for a variety of uses. They are rumored to consist of primitive shamans and healers. They disappeared into obscurity during the second siege of Orsinium.

Flesh

A Flesh Magic ritual

For more information, see the article on Flesh Magic.

Unlike the other five elements, the sixth element of Flesh is said to have been "hidden" at creation by virtue of its own self-awareness. It remains largely unknown and esoteric among modern societies. The element is formed by binding the Essence of Flesh with the Quintessence of Flesh. The Essence is formed from an amalgamation of Meat, Blood, Bone, and Breath—the essential components of true Flesh. Through many years of intensive labor, these four essential components can be isolated and grown into their mystical forms: Osseous Marrow, Dermis Membrane, Essence of Breath, and Blood Liqueur. The Quintessence of Flesh is the immortal Soul, usually represented in Flesh Magic rituals in the form of a bound Daedric vestige.

Light

An Ayleid Well containing starlight

Light (also called Aether) is one of the basic elements of creation. It was the most exalted of the four elements recognized by the Ayleids. They believed the most sublime form of light was starlight due to it emanating from the plane of Aetherius, the source of all magical power. The belief that starlight is the most potent of all magical powers led the Ayleids to utilize Aetherial fragments in their magical practice. This resulted in the creation of Welkynd Stones, Varla Stones, and Ayleid Wells, among other such artifacts associated with starlight.

Water

Water Magic

Water is one of the basic elements of creation. On Tamriel, water is composed of memory. When a mortal dies, his or her memories become water, and in this way all the memories of Tamriel's histories are stored within its waters. This fact is considered to be one of the most dangerous secrets about the natural order of the world, and is therefore closely guarded by the Demon of Knowledge Hermaeus Mora. In Tsaesci culture, Zisa represents the Water element. The Beldama Wyrd worship a trapped Ehlnofey known as the Guardian of the Water, an ancient being that represents the element in its true form. Many cultures utilize some form of Water Magic to manipulate this element.

Notes

• Although referred to as elemental spells by the School of Destruction, ice, lightning, disease, and poison are not considered to be basic elements.
• Similarly, iron, shadow, stone, and cold-flame are referred to as elements in the context of Elemental Daedra.

See Also

• Elemental Daedra — Atronachs that embody certain elements