Malak

Malaks are entities that are elemental in nature and are native to the Elemental Realms. They are specialists of a particular kind of magic called Artes, which channel energy from the Elemental Realms. There are eight types of Artes: Air, Ice, Water, Wood, Stone, Metal, Fire, and Lightning.

There are nearly infinite different forms a malak might take. As embodiments of the various elemental energies of the cosmos, malaks are frequently viewed as forces of both creation and destruction. Most malaks like to live in places of nature, where the natural flow of Soma is strong and can be accessed more freely. Furthermore, they also tend to exhibit a preference for terrain that suits their chosen Arte, such as a fire malak choosing to live near a volcano, an air malak living atop a mountain, or a water malak living on an island or oasis.

While all beings with Soma may at least some minor affinity to at least one of the eight Artes, beings with an unusually high affinity, or “Resonance”, are capable of forging powerful bonds with malaks of that same arte. These bonds, often called “Pact”, are potent exchanges of Soma that can result in a wide variety of effects, including but not limited to enhanced strength, elemental defenses, magical capabilities, increased mobility, and an extended lifespan. Most malaks prefer to live independently, but some may choose to form a pact with a mortal, particularly if it offers them some sort of strategic benefit to do so.