Any metal item with tralaticon properly forged into it can be imbued with earth, air, or water. It is not known yet how to imbue items with multiple elements. Right now if attempted, the second element pushes out the first and replaces it.
Each element has different effects on the item. Examples being: Air makes it lighter, earth makes it heavier and incredibly strong, and water makes the metal immune to rust.
If the item is a weapon and it is charged, the Fire slowly consumes the element in the blade over the course of about a day, depending on the weapon. It can be imbued again and recharged after that. Striking something with such a weapon is devastating, as the fire transfers into the target and consumes the elements at the atomic level. elementals are destroyed instantly and Ergon who took an Elixir are killed in dramatic fashion. The Fire only spreads so far, because the human body is not all one element, but the effect is horrific. The veins of the victim burn and their flesh is shredded from the inside out as the Fire follows the line of least resistance, the pure element suffusing the warrior, through the entire body.
Imbuing is no longer limited by energy availability, but the charging equipment is specialized and expensive, plus the process is heavily controlled. Also, acquiring a weapon that can take a charge is difficult. By law, only Census Office agents are allowed imbued armor and weapons. There are other technologies out there, such as prospecting goggles or a mariner's lens, but items like those are incredibly rare due to the laws against them and few people are naturally inclined to their use.
Only weapons that are fully made of metal can be imbued since a tralaticon-alloy is necessary. The handles of the weapons are wrapped in layers of thin leather and the bearers always wear gloves to protect their hands from the heat. Scabbards from these weapons are fully enclosed and fastened as well to prevent accidental drawing and the burning or other items by accident.