Sapphire and Steel

By David Hood (david.hood@stonebow.otago.ac.nz) (3 May 1995)

Introduction

"All irregularities are to be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. Trans-Uranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life. Medium atomic weights are available; Gold, Lead, Copper, Jet, Diamond, Radium, Sapphire, Silver and Steel. Sapphire and Steel have been assigned."
-- Opening Credits Sapphire and Steel

Werewolves are often described as being the immune system of Gaia. However, they are not the only such expression of Gaia. Another group which defends Gaia are the Elements.

Elements

Throughout the course of time, human beings have characterised the world as being made up of various elements. These elements have a spiritual representation which in mythic times was represented by elementals (Fire,Earth, Air, and Water in the Western tradition). With the growing complexity of the models used to describe the components of the world, the spiritual manifestations too have grown more complex. The modern forms of these elements are in many ways equal to mages. Because they are themselves defined by consensual reality, such self-aware modern forms, known as Elements, serve to help define reality. They serve to protect Gaia, and consensual reality, from intrusions from beyond the Horizon. Some have argued that because the effect of these spirits is to protect static reality, they are a form of Weaver spirit. In fact, because their true function is to protect Gaia from paranormal damage, the best description is that just as the Changers are the Wyld defenders of Gaia, Elements are the Weaver defenders (both springing from Gaia however).

Nature of Elements

Because Gaia and the Umbra are but reflections of each other there is not a direct correspondence between the periodic table of the elements and the spiritual versions. Many elements (the spirits) survive from alchemical times (such as Sapphire), while others appear as the form more commonly thought of by people (Steel rather than Iron, Diamond rather than Carbon).

The home of the Elements lies in the gauntlet rather than in the Umbra. They are sensitive to breaches created in the gauntlet and will emerge to restore any breaks. As they are not true Umbrood, and never actually have to cross the gauntlet, the strength of the gauntlet in the vicinity does affect their materialisation. Indeed, they are unable to manifest in areas where the strength of the gauntlet has been reduced to zero. Rather, they must emerge nearby then travel to the site of the breach.

The Aim of Elements is to stabilise reality -- sealing breaches in the gauntlet, neutralising the source of the breach or otherwise stopping the weakening of static reality.

One danger to mages is that Elements may mistake paradox flaws as disruptions to reality and seek to remove the disruption. This is only going to happen if the flaw (or the mage) is stationary. On the bright side a paradox spirit operating within a very small area could also attract their attention.

Essence

Pattern. They reinforce static reality, what else do you expect.

Appearence

When manifesting, to avoid causing disruption, elements appear as humans. While in human form their appearences (and behaviour) are related to the (physical) element on which they are based (e.g. Steel appears as a man in a grey suit with a cold, rigid manner). Their pupils reflect the color of their element and when using magic their eyes glow brightly in that color.

Tactics

They try to cause as little disruption to reality as possible. They avoid direct confrontation and don't use vulgar magic in front of witnesses. They contain then seal off breaks in reality after first having gotten back anything (that was taken away) that will be missed and sending back anything that has come through (that will be noticed). Elements operate in groups of 2 (or at most 3), each Element having complementary spheres and abilities. In dealing with any particular disruption, the other Elements will defer to the one with most relevant experience.

Attitude to mages

"If they knew of us they would seek to interfere for their own ends. Avoid them, or if you cannot avoid them do not let them know what you are."

Stats

These stats were produced before The Book of Madness came out, and even now I wouldn't change much because I find werewolf style powers too fiddly to keep track of when running Mage.

For those who want stats I suggest Attributes 7/6/4, Skills 16/10/6, Background of Arcane 3. Arete 6. Willpower 8. Health Levels: Human + 1 extra O.K.

Power

Manifestation: Elements can move freely in and out of the Gauntlet (Though prefer not to be observed when doing so). While in the Gauntlet (and in spirit form) they can travel very quickly, so often step into the Gauntlet to move from one physical location to another. Elements can look out from the Gauntlet to determine if they will be observed emerging.

Magic

Spheres:Mind 3 + 7 more points in spheres

Foci: None (-1 to Difficulty for Coincidental Magic, +1 for vulgar w. witness)

Elements are subject to paradox as per mages (in the final series of Sapphire and Steel they are trapped in a Correspondence Paradox realm for eternity).

Heavy Elements

Heavy Elements (those relating to radioactive elements of the periodic table) are much more powerful than other Elements. Also, as befits their name, they are somewhat unstable (Dynamic Essence). Because they cannot be trusted to preserve static reality, they are only deployed outside of the Gauntlet deal with powerful threats.