Elements and Ideals Page 1

Character Creation Rules for Realm of Illusions

Elements and Personality
Each of the Attuned is marked by one of the Elements when they are born. Nobody knows if the individual
attracts the Element or if the Element shapes the individual, but the end result is the same. Those “touched” thus
by the same Element display similar personality traits, likes and dislikes. Each person is still different of course,
even from those sharing their Element but the connection between them is undeniable. Over the ages, this has led
to certain stereotypes with varying level of truth in them.
Ideals and Lifestyle
As the Attuned grow up, they eventually do what most adults do, they decide what to do with themselves in
the world. When they do that, they usually devote their lives to an Ideal, whether they realise it or not. This Ideal
colours the way they view the world around them and how they interact with others. There is no direct connection
between one's chosen Ideal and the Faction they choose to join, but generally people find the Factions aligned
with their chosen Ideal to be closer to their sensibilities.
Elements, Ideals and Attunement
The Element and Ideal are integral parts of a Character and as such they define which Forces are closer to
them. As a result, Characters have an affinity to the Forces that are related to their Element and Ideal. Learning
how to use them comes easier to them and they progress faster in their mastery. One can only have an affinity to
up to two Forces but there are many who only have one, as their Element and Ideal belong to the same Force. So
far there has not been a Character with affinity to three or more Forces.

The Five Ideals

Death
Most people fear Death, others understand it is a necessary part of life. Those that pledge themselves to it,
understand the need to harm in order to protect or survive. Protectors of the innocent, enforcers and mercenaries
usually fall under this category.
Chaos
Dancing with Chaos can be extremely fun, almost as much as it is dangerous in fact. Individuals that follow
this path see opportunity at every turn and do not fear change. They see established rules as guidelines and often
follow their own personal code.
Balance
To choose Balance means to look at every side of an argument before deciding on the course you take.
People that walk this path have a foot on either side of the fence and sometimes are not quite as sane as they
would like others to believe them to be.
Life
Those who embrace Life enjoy being around others. They thrive in social situations and often consider it
their purpose to share their views with the rest of the world. Not always benign, their personalities and methods
can often be described as infectious.
Order
To dedicate their life to Order, one must have a strong sense of purpose and the need for a proper
hierarchy in order to function properly. Those that choose this path, range from power-hungry to wide-eyed
optimists but always like things tidy.

How Elements and Ideals reflect and define the personality of Attuned in the Realm of Illusions
 Elements and Ideals Page 2

The Ten Elements

Stone
Stubborn and stalwart, Stone-touched often have a grim view of things. They also tend to be pragmatic and
leave more creative pursuits to those better suited for them. They are slow to anger and slow to forget, often acting
as advisers to others.
Metal
Focused and unyielding, Metal-touched are organised and confident. They favour precision and do not like
leaving things to chance. They look at challenges as a way to improve themselves and they are at their best when
under pressure, when others fall.
Fire
To be one of the Fire-touched is to rarely be away from the spotlight. Passionate, loud and vivid, they live
for the moment and do not like to plan ahead more than absolutely necessary. They tend to live short but full lives
and are rarely forgotten easily.
Shadows
Shadow-touched are secretive and deceptive, they prefer to work in the background, drawing attention
away from their true intentions. Quick thinking and calculating, they usually enjoy playing chess against the world
and try to be one move ahead.
Wood
The people that are touched by Wood take things slow, they weight their options, they will mull things over
for a while, then they will decide what to do. Often the centre of their community, they grow slowly but steadily,
trying to protect others.
Beasts
To be touched by Beasts is to be a creature of instinct. While not mindless or illogical, they will consider
their options carefully if necessary but will favour solutions that reflect their gut reaction. Some among them can
relate to animals easier.
Water
Those touched by Water are as fluid and ever-changing as the element itself. They go through life never
settling down, always chasing the next new experience. When wronged, their attitude can change rapidly to cold
and unmoving like ice.
Blood
When someone is touched by Blood, it is certain that they are focused on the physical side of things more
than anything else. They enjoy physical challenges and sensations of any kind, even the negative ones, and they
strive to live their lives to the fullest.
Air
The Air-touched can be detached from worldly concerns or very curious. Most sit back and observe others
without interfering for good or ill. They usually are creatures of logic and reason, not letting their emotions cloud
their judgment when they can help it.
Fields
Those individuals touched by Fields have magnetic personalities, affecting those around them with their
every action. Not always extroverted, they draw people to them all the same and usually rise in positions of power
within their communities.

How Elements and Ideals reflect and define the personality of Attuned in the Realm of Illusions