Sylph

A sylph (pl. sylphs) is a type of spirit affiliated with and composed of the element of air.


Physiology

Sylphs are incorporeal, but they can condense into a physical form that is made of air. As a consequence, they are invisible (but not intangible - they are felt in the same way that breath or wind is felt), unless they pick up dust or some other sort of particle with which to give themselves shape. They can also take a human form, though this is difficult for them to maintain for long periods of time, as their nature is changing, not static. In human form, sylphs usually have blue or gray eyes, with fair skin.

Because sylphs are held together essentially by their own will, they are particularly vulnerable to magical dispersion - though as a rule this is only temporary, and forces them to gather the pieces of themselves together in the spirit world. They can be destroyed, but whatever is used to destroy them must be able to bridge the corporeal and incorporeal realms.

Aside from this possibility, sylphs are immortal and unchanging - they are simply born one day, usually from a particularly unique wind pattern. They do not age and will not sicken, though pollutants dispersing in them can cause them discomfort until they purify themselves.


Magical Characteristics

Like all spirits, sylphs exist most solidly in the spirit world. However, most of them can pass easily between the spirit world and the material world. Because their physical form consists of air, they can draw any surrounding air into themselves, and manipulate it as part of their body. Sylphs can literally steal the breath from an opponent's body, making them suffocate. Being in air heals them - putting them in a vacuum or a liquid environment therefore prevents this.


Society and Habitat

Sylphs are just as likely to be found alone as in a sort of… colony or flock. They cannot dwell where the air is stagnant, but they are often found anywhere there are strong air currents, or frequently changing wind patterns. Although sylphs in a group might acknowledge the authority of one or another of them (probably the oldest/biggest of them), they have no rigid social structure.