Earth Elementalism

Earth elementalism is the form of Elementalism practiced by the Brech'mar, due to their spiritual bond with the elemental earth spirit, Gnome. This ability allows for the manipulation of aspects of the earth element, such as soil, rock, and metal.

The ability to manipulate earth comes naturally to the Brech'mar and all individuals are capable of it, to varying degrees. Half-Brech'mar born to a Brech'mar mother inherit the ability from her, though their potential may be limited if mixed with human blood or an opposing element (Air or Light). True mastery of earth elementalism requires time and devotion, including meditative practices. With the broad range of aspects associated with earth, most Brech'mar train toward specialties relevant to their job or tastes. Manipulation of the components of the soil is the easiest, while learning to manipulate less pliable materials is a greater challenge.

Minerals and metals fall under the Earth element. Basic skills include shifting soil and loose rocks, cracking rocks, and bending malleable metals. Brech'mar who specialize in mining, crafting, or building learn specific techniques relevant to their skills and find it hard to shift skill focuses after they've become accustomed to them. More advanced skills can manipulate the composition of rocks and soil.

However, Earth elementalism is one of the most challenging forms of elementalism to master because of vast number of chemical elements that fall under the philosophical Earth element. Air Elementalists have mastery over a rather limited amount of atmospheric gases in comparison, Water Elementalists only control water and liquids that contain water, and Fire Elementalists control heat, but Earth Elementalists can control minerals and metals on the minute and massive scale.

Elementalism and Classes

Traditional Brech'mar society has a hierarchy of classes that is centered around a hereditary career path and social status. The elementalism learned in these classes is specifically honed toward the lifepath one is expected to take.

Soil Class

In the Soil Class, elementalism is geared toward agricultural purposes, with some other supportive skills. As members of the Soil tend to live a more isolated rural life outside of the subterranean city, they are mostly self-sufficient, so they have a wide array of elementalism skills to support themselves.

Elementalism makes clearing fields, digging, plowing, and other essential tasks remarkably easier than for other races. More advanced skills in the soil include altering the composition by separating rocks from dirt, from removing gravel and pebbles to clearing away boulders. They can adjust the levels of sand, gravel, clay, loam, and other composites for soil drainage, nutritional requirements for plants, and changing the acidity of the soil. They can break down rocks into smaller ones or all the way down to sand and incorporate it into the soil as needed.

Brech'mar do not have control over the organic components of soil--such as composting plant or animal matter--but once it breaks down to more essential elemental components (such as carbon, potassium, magnesium, calcium, etc.) it enters into their realm of control. When working in compost to enrich the soil, the Brech'mar manipulate the non-organic components of soil to spread or bury it.