Dev Dive: Elementals

[DISCLAIMER: Everything regarding unreleased projects, including the W&A Underworld Rulebook, is subject to change.]

Hello all! This week we’re taking another look at some of the new things coming in War and Aether’s first expansion, the Underworld Rulebook. Specifically, we’re going to take a look at one of the new Monster Categories coming with the expansion, Elementals. Read on to learn about the new Elementals, how they fit into existing lore, and some of the design choices behind the new creature type!

[A lonely Fire Wisp roams the depths of the Underworld - Art generated using Adobe Firefly]

In the W&A Core Rulebook, the only existing Elementals are the Mythos Beings: The Gorthrog (Earth Elemental), The Valrog (Water Elemental), The Aeirrog (Air Elemental), and the Morthrog (Fire Elemental). These creatures will be remaining where they are as Mythos Beings, as they are the progenitors of all other Elementals. In some way, shape, or form, all Elementals that exist come from one of these original four. Some of the Elementals have even outgrew their progenitors in terms of strength and ferocity.

Elementals are a new category of creature, who act as the embodiment of aetherial pathlines. They are inherently magical beings, who’s forms range from the material to the immaterial. There are many different types of elementals, and many elementals have varying strengths. Some are capable of casting spells, while others have magically-imbued natural attacks. However, while their Progenitors were guardians of their environments, most Elementals are wild, magical creatures that merely exist in the habitats that best support them. While they are commonly found in their natural habitats, most elementals live in places that do not easily support humanlike life.

In the new book, Elementals are being classified as Rarity 4 creatures, alongside Polymorphs. Slightly on the more common side of creatures, but more often than not they are discovered by venturing into their territory and habitats rather than the other way around. These new creatures come in a wide variety of types and subtypes that we plan to expand upon throughout future expansions. Elementals exist for each of the magical Pathlines, and they come in a wide variety of forms based on both their age and the region they were born in.

In creating the Elementals, more than anything I wanted to introduce a creature type that could expand upon magical vulnerabilities and play to them semi-consistently. Monsters may have vulnerabilities to specific types of magic damage, allowing that magic type to deal bonus damage and ignore some of the creature’s protections. While there are plenty of creatures with magical vulnerabilities, I wanted to create an entire category of monster that consistently had a magical vulnerability, and could easily identify which ones to use. This doesn’t mean there won’t be curveballs, such as a fire elemental who’s heat is so intense it makes them resistant to cold and water, but it does mean that any spellcaster playstyle can get a bit more of the circumstantial benefit from their specific Pathline dedications.

This new category of creature will also benefit from distinctions between material and immaterial variations, that include levels of damage resistance - adding to both their complexity and interest. Material Elementals will be inherently resistant to all forms of magic damage (save for their vulnerabilities); whereas Immaterial Elementals will be resistant to all forms of physical damage. Requiring a mix between physical combatants and spellcasters to deal with groups of these creatures effectively. And when an Elemental is defeated, skilled Alchemists don’t just recover “Elemental Essence”, but Essence of the specific Elemental type in question - such as Fire Elementals dropping Essence of Fire Elemental. This will give a great expansion to the possible Monster Essences that can be recovered, and will help expand the Alchemy system for the Underworld Expansion and future books!

But most importantly, what do you think about the Elementals? Think they are an interesting expansion on the world’s lore? Excited to see how they play and interact with your party in game? Have any questions, comments, or concerns about their implementation? Let us know in the comments and we’ll keep you updated!