elemental (creature)
A broad class of mythological creature associated with the classical Greek elements: earth, water, air, and fire. The concept of elementals originated in Renaissance-era European alchemical works but has been popularized in recent decades by Dungeons & Dragons and related fantasy settings.
Depictions of elementals vary widely but they tend to be roughly humanoid in appearance, with abilities and personality traits corresponding to their associated elements. For instance, water elementals are adaptable and can flow like liquid, whereas fire elementals are passionate and can burn anything they touch.
Occasionally, elementals may be associated with "elements" other than the usual four. For instance, ice elementals, lightning elementals, or plant elementals.
Elementals in alchemy
- Earth: gnome
- Water: undine
- Wind: sylph
- Fire: salamander