In my OD&D campaign, elementals are my campaign's version of demons. These monsters are diametrically opposed to mortal existence. They are not evil per say, but their psyche is so inhuman that they may appear be: a fire elemental does not understand that its existence causes pain and destruction; it simply desires to see the entire world transformed into a sea of fire and smoke.
Elementals
Elemental creatures originate in the elemental planes and are brought to the material realm by powerful magic. They are forces of nature and cannot be restrained, even by the hold monster spell, though they are still susceptible to charm monster. As forces from another plane, elementals have no need for food, drink, sleep, or air. They are, likewise, immune to poison and disease. While elementals cannot be struck by normal weapons, magical weapons can still harm them.
Varieties
Elementals come in many forms. The four most common types of elementals are each associated with one of the elemental planes: air, earth, fire, and water. Others include magma, ice, slime, and shadow elementals.
Size
The larger an elemental is, the more hit dice it has and the more damage its attacks inflict. Conjured elementals are always gigantic. Those summoned by staffs are large. Elementals summoned by other magical devices (medallions, bracelets, stones, etc.) are huge.
Air Elementals
Air elementals are storms and whirlwinds personified - they desire nothing more than to stir up storms and ride the winds. They race across the ground and soar through the skies, screaming like cyclones and flinging creatures and objects into the air. When threatened, an air elemental can gather its strength into a bolt of thunder and hurl it at its attacker. The thunderbolt strikes like a lightning bolt cast by a 6th level magic-user. An air elemental can throw no more than three thunderbolts per day. If left on the material plane for more than a month, an air elemental will dissipate and its body will be absorbed into the atmosphere.
Earth Elementals
Earth elementals are an unstoppable force. They are the personification of hills and mountains. Their bodies are made of stone and their eyes are chunks of precious metals and gemstones. Earth elementals make excellent siege weapons; their attacks deal double damage to walls, buildings, and similar structures. They desire stability, and an earth elemental will remain immobile unless actively controlled by its summoner. If an earth elemental remains on the material plane for more than a month, it will fade into a lifeless statue.
Fire Elementals
Fire elementals appear as bodies of blazing flames. They exist to see the world burn and turn all matter into ash, smoke, and cinder. Their touch causes flammable objects to catch fire. If threatened, a fire elemental can throw a fire ball, as if cast by a 6th level magic-user. A fire elemental can throw no more than three fire balls per day. Fire elementals are immune to fire-based attacks, but are vulnerable to water; they cannot cross rivers and streams. Moreover, they take 1 point of damage for every gallon of water splashed on them. If a fire elemental remains on the material plane for more than a month, it burns out.
Water Elementals
Water elementals cruise across the surface of the water like invisible waves, only showing themselves when they attack. Water elementals make fantastic waterborne siege weapons; their attacks deal double damage to ships. Water elementals are generally confined to water; over land, their movement rate decreases to 6" and their attacks inflict only half damage. Water elementals are immune to fire-based attacks, but if a water elemental takes cold damage, it is frozen solid for 1 round. If a water elemental remains on the material plane for more than a month, it will lose substance and collapse into normal water.
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