Elemental Summoning

An elemental being disappears from the universe they originate from, and reappears in the current universe. For beings of relatively minor power, this trip is one-way until they are dismissed or destroyed. For powerful elementals, the draw to their natural dimension is stronger, and continued concentration and/or a continual supply of Literomantic Power is required to keep them in this universe.   Elementals are thinking and feeling beings, and while intelligence may vary, they must be convinced, or magically commanded, to aid the summoner. Some elementals are well-disposed, or neutral, towards Humans or other sapient beings, while others are actively hostile and must be tightly controlled. This control is usually asserted by use of a summoning circle, True Name, or similar.   Destroying an elemental in this universe simply returns them to their native universe, although it requires some recovery time before they can return. Sapient elementals are aware of this, and may choose to make this sacrifice if they like the Literomancer who summoned them, or have some other strong imperative to lend this sort of aid. They do feel pain, however, and possess natural survival instincts.   The primary benefit of summoning an elemental is that their anatomy differs from beings of this universe. Fire elementals are immune to fire and burning, and cannot be damaged by heat or most explosions. Void elementals are often only partially substantial in this universe, or might possess alien anatomy that is not damaged in the same way. Earth elementals are particularly hard to damage with physical attacks, and so forth. They can also use abilities related to their element on behalf of the summoner (ie. Fire elementals can burn things.)

The more powerful an elemental is, the more Literomantic Power it takes to summon it. Risk of Magic Drain is high.   There are numerous stories of summoners who make deals with elementals, especially powerful ones, to forgo the literomantic power expenditure in exchange for some kind of challenge, promise, or sacrifice. This act effectively creates the necessary literomantic power needed for the purpose by embracing a powerful trope. The cost is always heavy.    

Some indication of the related element usually accompanies the summoning of an elemental. This might take the form of a flash of light, a wash of heat, a dark hole appearing in the fabric of reality, ambient humidity rapidly increasing or decreasing, and so forth. Sounds and smells are often consistent with this effect.

Like with most Literomancy, the summoner must expend literomantic power in the summoning process. This can be accomplished through ritual or individual will, and can be accomplished individually or collectively.   Literomancers have been working with summoning magic for centuries, and thus, there is a wealth of written and received knowledge available, using specifically-developed symbolism, that creates "magical short-cuts" or reduces the amount of literomantic power required. Those who specifically study summoning magic to learn those techniques often find it less difficult, less costly, and less likely to cause magic drain.   Affinities for particular elements are also a factor. Earth elementals are easier to summon when one practices Geomancy, for example. Element-based traditions, such as Geomancy, usually have their own written and received practices that work specifically with related elementals, handed down over the ages.