Affinity
The theory of elemental affinity, which is related to Humorism or the Theory of Humors, refers to the belief that all creatures, whether magically gifted or not, are born with an affinity to a particular Elements. A person's innate elemental affinity can be impossible to determine, especially for a non-mage, but it usually affects their everyday life in slight ways, influencing their personality and their preference of environment.
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Effects of Affinity
According to believers in the theory of elemental affinity, one's affinity can affect their personality, environmental preferences, and more. For instance, individuals of Air affinity tend to be free spirits and slightly whimsical, while those of Fire affinity are often temperamental and passionate. Someone of Water affinity might prefer a life at sea or near the shore, while avoiding particularly dry environments. When they find themselves in an environment counter to their elemental affinity, a person might feel unwell and out of sorts - "out of their element," one might say. This applies doubly for magi, who find their spells considerably weaker and more difficult to cast in an environment that contests their affinity. However, not everyone who lives in the desert is of Fire affinity, nor is everyone on the sea of Water affinity - and likewise, not every hotheaded man or woman is Fire affinity.
Some people are more strongly affected by affinity than others. They are sometimes said to have been born on the fringes of the Elemental Wheel, greatly favoring their element over all others and despising their opposite element. Those less strongly affected are considered to be more in balance. A person considered out of balance may be brought in balance by exposing them to their opposite element or by balancing the humors through medicine.
The Four Basic Affinities
Fire
Fire is associated with the Choleric humor. An individual with Fire affinity is usually passionate, hot-tempered, obsessive, and dominant. They can be argumentative and impatient but excellent leaders, especially in an emergency. They prefer to live in warm, arid environments and work with fire-related professions such as cooking or smithing. They are weak to water and hate being submerged or traveling at sea. Their opposite affinity is water, and fire magi have difficulty with water and ice magic.
Earth
Earth is associated with the Phlegmatic humor. An individual with Earth affinity is usually calm, content, rational, and diplomatic. They can also be shy, stubborn, fearful of change, and sometimes apathetic. They are adapted to living in rocky landscapes, fields, or even underground, and they tend to enjoy careers working with the land, such as farming and mining. They are weakest when they are away from solid land, such as out at sea or at a high altitude. Their opposite affinity is air, and earth magi have difficulty with wind and lightning magic.
Water
Water is associated with the Melancholic humor. An individual with Water affinity is usually thoughtful, cautious, well-organized, and creative. But they can also be obsessive, overly cautious, prone to moodiness and depression, and frequently discontent. They are adapted to living in humid environments and at sea. They are weakest in dry environments, such as deserts. They enjoy life as sailors and fishermen. Their opposite affinity is fire, and water magi have difficulty casting fire spells.
Air
Air is associated with the Sanguine humor. An individual with Air affinity is usually highly sociable, confident, spontaneous, and free-spirited. But they can also be impulsive, flighty, unreliable, and claustrophobic. They are adapted to living in open environments not closed off from the sky, such as open plains, mountaintops, or at sea. They are weakest when cut off from the open air, such as when underground, imprisoned, or underwater. Their opposite affinity is earth, and air magi have the greatest difficulty casting earth and poison spells.
Lightning
An individual with Lightning affinity walks between those of Air and Fire affinities. They are adapted to living in warm environments not closed off from the open sky, such as deserts. They are weakest when cut off from the open air, such as underground or underwater, but they are not greatly weakened by water. Lightning magi have the greatest difficulty casting Clay spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Fire and Air than those of Earth and Water. Lightning is a slightly rarer affinity than its Air or Fire counterparts, but still fairly common.
Magma
An individual with Magma affinity walks between those of Fire and Earth affinities. They are adapted to living in very warm environments. They are weakest when exposed to great cold. Magma magi have the greatest difficulty casting Frost spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Fire and Earth than those of Water and Air. Magma is a slightly rarer affinity than its Fire or Earth counterparts, but still fairly common.
Clay
An individual with Clay affinity walks between those of Water and Earth affinities. They are adapted to living in very humid environments. They are weakest when in extremely dry environments. Clay magi have the greatest difficulty casting Lightning spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Water and Earth than those of Fire or Air. Clay is a slightly rarer affinity than its Water or Earth counterparts, but still fairly common.
Frost
An individual with Frost affinity walks between those of Water and Air affinities. They are adapted to living in cold environments. They are weakest when exposed to great heat. Frost magi have the greatest difficulty casting Magma spells, and they are more attuned to spells of Water and Air than those of Fire and Earth. Frost is a slightly rarer affinity than its Water and Air counterparts, but still fairly common.
Light
One of the two rarest affinities, almost never seen in any mortal creature except under very special circumstances, an individual with Light affinity is suited to any well-lit environment. They are weakest in total darkness. Light magi may find it impossible to cast Shadow spells. Many beings with Light affinity are somehow divinely touched and often have a natural aptitude for Divine magic. This does not always apply, however, nor should it be assumed that anyone with Light affinity is inherently "good." They also always generally have an unusual appearance, such as strangely-colored hair and eyes.
Shadow
One of the two rarest affinities, almost never seen in any mortal creature except under very special circumstances, an individual with Shadow affinity is suited to any dim environment. They are weakest in brightly-lit environments. Shadow magi may find it impossible to cast Light spells. Many beings with Shadow affinity are somehow demonically touched and often have a natural aptitude for Demonic magic. This does not always apply, however, nor should it be assumed that anyone with Shadow affinity is inherently "evil." They also always generally have an unusual appearance, such as strangely-colored hair and eyes.
