Fire elementals

[Sejs]

But isn't that the whole point of fire elementals? In their Plane they survive just fine because the whole place is on fire, summon them to the Prime and well you end up with a room sized barbeque

In a way, absolutely. From a logic standpoint it makes perfect sense that they just uncontrolably light everything around them on fire because they're the elemental personification of making things burn.

But from a logistics standpoint, not being able to turn off that faucet would make it such that nobody in their right mind (who was not themselves immune to fire and owned only fireproof possessions) would ever summon one. Except for possibly in a place where you -want- it burnt to the ground, and don't care about what was inside.

Light Fuse and Get Away.

It's sort of like holding a sword. You can hold a sword, even a very sharp one, by the blade and not get all sliced up as long as you pay attention. If you want it to cut, it cuts, if you hold it by the blade and are mindless, you get cut. Same idea with the fire elemental. Normally the fire elemental burns. If it wants to burn something, it burns, if it isn't really careful, it burns, but if it is careful and pays attention, it can restrain itself from just passivly lighting everyone and everything on fire. Another analogy could be a big cat - it can bite the hell out of things and tear flesh with its teeth, but if it's careful it can carry its kittens around.

 

[IanB]

In a way, absolutely. From a logic standpoint it makes perfect sense that they just uncontrolably light everything around them on fire because they're the elemental personification of making things burn.

But from a logistics standpoint, not being able to turn off that faucet would make it such that nobody in their right mind (who was not themselves immune to fire and owned only fireproof possessions) would ever summon one. Except for possibly in a place where you -want- it burnt to the ground, and don't care about what was inside.

Light Fuse and Get Away.

It's sort of like holding a sword. You can hold a sword, even a very sharp one, by the blade and not get all sliced up as long as you pay attention. If you want it to cut, it cuts, if you hold it by the blade and are mindless, you get cut. Same idea with the fire elemental. Normally the fire elemental burns. If it wants to burn something, it burns, if it isn't really careful, it burns, but if it is careful and pays attention, it can restrain itself from just passivly lighting everyone and everything on fire. Another analogy could be a big cat - it can bite the hell out of things and tear flesh with its teeth, but if it's careful it can carry its kittens around.

I think it is just fine if the fire elemental sets everything on fire, frankly. It isn't as if there aren't many, many other options for summoning; if you don't want potential fiery side effects, you can just summon an earth or air elemental.

 

[werk]

That kind of awkward.

Well, they do live on a plane comprised entirely of fire. It's only awkward when they are removed from their home. ...and no one said summoning things was easy.

Seems like they could make it a little easier on themselves and get an air elemental instead...or maybe ice, or crystal, or...I dunno, dust?

Fire is teh kewlest because of the burning, I'd consider it a balance point.

 

[pallandrome]

I agree. I think it should be awkward. One of the hazards of summoning them. Just like you wouldn't want to summon a water elemental into a donut factory. Talk about soggy!

This is why the wizards of Ankh-Morpork came up with the dreaded Summon Coffee Elemental: Caution, Contents May Be Hot spell. Unfortunately, due to a bit of legal trouble, no one ever bothers to remember it anymore because the name was too silly.

 

[Pielorinho]

I think you are confusing awkward and awesome.

Lovely! (Okay, that was weird: I started to type "Lovely!" and looked down to see I had typed "Wolve!")

I kinda think elementals have some control over their bodies. Water elementals don't just sploosh everywhere when they're on dry land, becoming puddle elementals; fire elementals don't require an extraneous fuel source; and air elementals don't dissipate. So I think that the substance creating their bodies can be contained by the elemental.

Still, I like the idea of a fire elemental going crazy and just setting everything on fire.

Daniel

 

[erf_beto]

I kinda think elementals have some control over their bodies. Water elementals don't just sploosh everywhere when they're on dry land, becoming puddle elementals; fire elementals don't require an extraneous fuel source; and air elementals don't dissipate. So I think that the substance creating their bodies can be contained by the elemental.

I agree with you.
Yesterday, an exquisite 'vision' came to my mind... what if (and be warned that most dreadful questions start with 'what if') an Ogre or a Large Dragon could breath in a small Air Elemental? Can you plant a tree or flowers on Huge Earth Elementals? Can you make a six-pack out of a Water Elemental?
Also, I remembered seeing Howls Moving Castle (the anime). There's a demon (wich is a very loose term in japanese mithology) named Calcifer whose body looks like a small sponge-like goo with eyes, all wrapped in flames (wich reminds me of Flaming Sphere spell description, though the sponge part was meant to be something else in the movie). The wizard Howl (its master) could touch it without being harmed, but Sophie and everyone else was suppose to carry it with a shovel so they woundnt get burnt. Calcifer could control its flames, and burn stuff when desired, get hotter or more menacing - but it seems that he could make himself tender and warm.

Now, back to D&D, I'd say that elementals have to adjust whenever they first visit the material plane. A Water Elemental has to pull its body together so it wont splash all over and a fire elemental would definetly burn everything flammable around. But in time, they would be able to control themselves. Perhaps an elemental could control its own temperature, making himself just warm - still harmfull to touch, while not burning everything -, but getting hotter and hotter when in a fight - or when disturbed. That could be done with a skill check for instance. My advice, dont mess with a fire elemental.