Vellumentals
The Vellumentals are a group of elemental, deity-like creatures that reside in their own Vellumental shrines and temples, acting as bosses in Paper Mario: The Origami King. Their shared name is a portmanteau on "elemental", and "vellum", a type of parchment specifically made of calfskin (alluding to the ancient nature of the Vellumentals). Certain in-game text suggests that they were not always made of origami.
When they are defeated, they unveil a Bibliofold that contains instructions on how to fold into them. This allows Olivia to transform into one via a corresponding Magic Circle, allowing Mario to access its elemental powers. King Olly also possesses the ability to turn into each of the Vellumentals in the first stage of his boss fight.
In their original origami forms, the Vellumentals have no eyes. When Olivia transforms into a Vellumental, it gains eyes and a two-pointed crown on its head. When King Olly becomes a Vellumental, alongside eyes, a three-pointed crown, and a large flap of hair like Olly's, the majority of their skin turns purple.
The Vellumentals appear to have a connection with the Shangri-Spa, as the Sea Tower, the entrance to the Shangri-Spa, worship their images.
Members
Each of the members represents a different element:
| Member | Image (boss) | Image (Olivia) | Image (King Olly) | Location fought |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earth Vellumental | 
|
|
|
Earth Vellumental Temple |
| Water Vellumental | File:PMOK Water Vellumental.png | 
|
|
Water Vellumental Shrine |
| Fire Vellumental | File:PMOK Fire Vellumental.png | 
|
|
Fire Vellumental Cave |
| Ice Vellumental | File:PMOK Ice Vellumental.png | 
|
|
Ice Vellumental Mountain |
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | カミ Kami |
Wordplay on 紙 (paper) and 神 (god), which share the same pronunciation |
| Chinese | 神祇 Shénqí |
God; the word 祇 also has a pronunciation "zhǐ", which is the same as 纸 (paper), which fulfills the same purpose as the wordplay in the Japanese version in this way |
| Dutch | Origant |
Portmanteau of "origami" and gigant (giant) |
| French | Espli |
Portmanteau of esprit (spirit) and pli (fold) |
| German | Pergamenton |
Variation of pergament (parchment), (t)on perhaps comes from "-odon" (Greek for "tooth"), a common ending for dinosaurs or from Karton (Cardboard) |
| Italian | Cartomagno |
Portmanteau of carta (paper) and magno (greatest). Also a pun on Carlomagno (Charlemagne). |
| Spanish | Papelemental |
Portmanteau of papel (paper) and elemental (elemental) |
Trivia
- The Vellumentals are somewhat based on the Four Symbols, elemental deities of Chinese mythology, at least on a visual level. The Earth Vellumental resembles the Black Tortoise, the Water Vellumental resembles the Azure Dragon, the Fire Vellumental resembles the Vermilion Bird. The only one that does not seem to be based on Chinese mythology is the Ice Vellumental, as it resembles a polar bear rather than a white tiger.
- Elemental-wise, however, only the Fire Vellumental's matches the Wuxing of the Symbol it's based on; the Black Tortoise's is Water, the Azure Dragon's is Wood, and the White Tiger's is Metal. There does not exist an Ice Wuxing, and the Earth Wuxing is reserved for the Yellow Dragon. In the Japanese Godai system, however, the Seiryu is water and the Genbu is earth. Byakko represents air, not ice, and the Kirin represents the void.
