Elementals

Elementals are beings composed of pure elemental energies, and sometimes given sentience. They come in many forms, from Wisps to Exemplars, and in every element, paraelement, quasielement, paraquasielement, and beyond.

Elementals are special in that they all possess a Spiritual Form and a Physical Form, and can transition freely between them. Where every flame has a "Spirit of Fire" associated with it, an elemental IS that spirit of flame given magical power. This is only one of many ways to discuss the nature and power of an Elemental, however. One can also talk about it's power, or it's freedom(or lack thereof), it's impurities, or many others.

We're going with a bit of a composite method, below, discussing the relative powers based on the nature of their Bindings(If any), and the impurities of each power level.

All Elementals, regardless of type, are ruled by the Exemplars. These are especially strange creatures, because depending on how one views the situation, there are either 18 of these, or hundreds of them. They are sometimes compared to gods(And some are worshiped as such).

Adapted Elementals
This is a weird category, as it describes the forms of Elementals who have remained in a place for long enough to absorb that place's magical energies, becoming a separate type of elemental entirely in the process.

Physically Bound
A Physically-bound Elemental is not what it sounds like; You really can't tie up an elemental. Instead, this means an Elemental bound in a way which prevents it from entering it's Spiritual form. This includes things like the "Conjure Elemental" spell.

Spiritually Bound
Just like the Physically Bound elementals, these are locked from altering their form, but stuck in a Spiritual form this time. This is more bizarre for some, as a Spiritually-bound elemental isn't as immediately as useful as a Physically-bound one. They have their uses, however...

Unbound
Unbound Elementals are exactly what they sound like. They're not bound by any magics. This might also be thought of as "True" elementals. Now, this category is "Unbound", but it DOES cover some bound elementals, that is, any elementals whose binding doesn't effect their physicality(Such as an Elemental which is merely Charmed).

Oddities
These are usually Elementals bound to take a specific form or occupy an object... Moving on.