I am somewhat confused how the powers of the Arnor worked (before they were stripped of them at the end of Gal Civ II). I always thought it was that, as long as they are connected to the Shards, they can think of any object and it appears. It may require some energy expenditure, but otherwise it is just by the power of thought, with the Shards / Orb as a conduit. But now, I have doubts. Do they really need some more elaborate “rituals” as Elemental would suggest? However, Elemental lore is uncertain, as it is all colored with fantasy stuff and is also seen through the lens of early Altarians and it also doesn;t seen to be in character with their depiction in Gal Civ.