These suffixes technically mean 'divination' and 'movement', respectively, and compound words range all the way from being semi-common in real life ('necromancy'), to haphazardly made-up in faux-Greek ('radiokinesis'?). In works of fiction, these tend to have a consistent naming scheme either ending in -mancy ('pyromancy', 'cryomancy') or in -kinesis ('pyrokinesis', 'cryokinesis'). Because of this, Elemental Powers is one major class of the Stock RPG Spells. Most settings that make use of Functional Magic will inevitably have elemental spells or magic. This may also involve the ability to summon or create Elemental Embodiments, living manifestations of the elements themselves. One of the most common uses of this idea is to give characters some superpower over an aspect of nature - like a character who can conjure or control fire or water. but the idea was so deeply rooted in mankind's mind, that it's become a popular thematic motif for supernatural fictional settings, and still finds parallels in modern physics' four commonly observable states of matter: solid (earth), liquid (water), gas (air), plasma (fire). The discovery of the atom mostly disproved that, note with several elements being found in earth, water, and/or air, with at least one being found in all three, as well as being directly responsible for the creation of fire. In the past, the forces of nature were considered to be the building blocks of all life and matter in the world, known as the Natural Elements. The xenon-benders come close, but their flickery signs are at least effective for propaganda.' xkcd #965: Elements note 'Of all the nations, the armies of the ununoctium-benders are probably the least intimidating.

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