The nature of cards.

[Higurashi]

I was inspired to create this when thinking about why Time gets most of the proposed (and tested) discard effects in-game, thanks to the Chronokinesis (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,12459.0.html) thread.

Is it imagined a Time elemental manipulates the future or past to affect their opponent's memories? I mean, messing with the mind is one thing, but that's more Darkness/Death, maybe Entropy to some degree, and Aether. Darkness already has Nightmare, so you can see where the manipulation comes in. Death could do with a Mind Rot spell or something, Entropy could scramble memories and knowledge, and Aether can already Lobotomize with electricity, not to mention it could use dimensional techniques to remove parts of their opponent's mental integrity, or even physically displace memories/knowledge.

To understand this, we have to start with explaining what cards are. Are they energy the Elemental harnesses from the outside world, or are they spells the Elemental has memorised and draws upon with inner energy? (not counting the quanta needed, which is obviously an external source) Since you're building a deck, there's a strategical element to it that suggests the latter. And then again, that seems to be the conventional method of explaining it, and Elements has always tried to steer away from that.

What does the community think about this? What do you imagine cards actually are in the fictional world of Elements, and how are they drawn upon?

[Demut]

In other words as far as roleplaying? I take it at face value. Time reverses or speeds up time itself in a localized area.

And I would say they are spells powered through the towers.

[Higurashi]

Or just plainly logical. Speeding up time is all well and good, but why would it make someone discard cards? What exactly is it the Elemental is throwing away, and why?

As I see it, an Elemental has to harness quanta from natural energy around them. Pillars/Pendulums attract this energy so they can siphon it. They then use this quanta to form material things, but they have to prepare this process beforehand.
Before going into battle, they have to prepare different methods of shaping quanta. This shaping could consist of geometric shape, colour, taste, smell, texture, etc. All the senses and probably several more we humans aren't capable of. They embody their element, after all, and thus probably feel the energies around them in a way we could only begin to describe.

These methods for shaping quanta would be what represents cards for us. A general idea on how to form the quanta, how to mould raw energy into something they can use in battle. They have to have prepared this beforehand so it could be done almost instantly, and forgetting how to mould the quanta into one specific individual spell/permanent/creature would be the equivalent of discarding a card. When the elemental runs out of prepared methods, it has no way of fighting back, and surrenders.

It's somewhat logical, but only one way of looking at it.

Edit: Hm, I forgot about the mark. I guess an Elemental generates quanta in a similar way to how we generate heat. That means they need a source of energy to do so from. Perhaps they work like a star, constantly burning the pure energy they are made from. Many possibilities. x)

[DrunkDestroyer]

This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but it's a good story nonetheless, and follows an elemental and has it's own take on how cards are casted, and how an elemental would battle. Some scenes follow the rules of elements very well, and some stray off the path but it is still very good.

If you are interested, it is at http://www.kongregate.com/forums/22/topics/98072?page=1 . It goes on through the post, but the last 2-3 pages are just bumps by me and other kongregate users (and there are other posts between the actual story sections). Also, the comments seem to hold less of the regular kongregate stupidity than usual.
(I guess that's the reason I go on kongregate, to be able to act stupid and still be smart in comparison to the general population there )

[Higurashi]

Looks pretty fun. I'll check that out when I get some free time, cheers.

[Demut]

Then again there is always game play and story segregation. Think about the graviton mercenaries, your theory doesn't account for them.

I would think of it more like a band and you are the wizard leading the band. Spells and effects fit your theory greatly, but creatures I imagine more as simply accompanying you.

They cost Quanta to use for purely gameplay reasons and is irrelevant to the story.

[Daytripper]

The game is a bit obscure about it. It looks a bit like the gamer is the health bar itself. So you are the base and you control the creatures, while the enemy is mostly trying to attack ''the base.'' You can also be a warlord in the base, but no matter.

Cards are symbolic. A creature is a creature put into the field. A spell is a spell you cast. A tower can just be a tower in your base that generates the quanta to power the base. Just like a power plant that powers a factory.

If you summon a creature, you play the card. If the opponent casts reverse time, this is a local effect. The creature is simply put into the ground again. That's why it doesn't effect you or the base, nor does it reverse the damage already done to you. You do not put a card back into your deck. A card is being put back beyond your control. This is possible, because the gamer is not the card. The gamer is represented by the health bar.

[Sir Valimont]

Or just plainly logical. Speeding up time is all well and good, but why would it make someone discard cards? What exactly is it the Elemental is throwing away, and why?

As I see it, an Elemental has to harness quanta from natural energy around them. Pillars/Pendulums attract this energy so they can siphon it. They then use this quanta to form material things, but they have to prepare this process beforehand.
Before going into battle, they have to prepare different methods of shaping quanta. This shaping could consist of geometric shape, colour, taste, smell, texture, etc. All the senses and probably several more we humans aren't capable of. They embody their element, after all, and thus probably feel the energies around them in a way we could only begin to describe.

These methods for shaping quanta would be what represents cards for us. A general idea on how to form the quanta, how to mould raw energy into something they can use in battle. They have to have prepared this beforehand so it could be done almost instantly, and forgetting how to mould the quanta into one specific individual spell/permanent/creature would be the equivalent of discarding a card. When the elemental runs out of prepared methods, it has no way of fighting back, and surrenders.

It's somewhat logical, but only one way of looking at it.

Edit: Hm, I forgot about the mark. I guess an Elemental generates quanta in a similar way to how we generate heat. That means they need a source of energy to do so from. Perhaps they work like a star, constantly burning the pure energy they are made from. Many possibilities. x)

Maybe Elementals are just animated pillars. 

[Higurashi]

Then again there is always game play and story segregation. Think about the graviton mercenaries, your theory doesn't account for them.

Maybe it does. If we assume they are indeed mercs that charge something for their services, they still have to be summoned to the location of the battle. Would take quanta to transport them there. Perhaps it's simpler to assume Elementals summon creatures/spells/permanents from a place where they already exist. It's called "summon" and not "create", after all.