The Ethereals

The Ethereals (ethers for short) are essentially incorporeals beings. They float as individual masses of air, defined by the elements and air particles they carry and the nanities that control/manage those within the immediate area.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Biologically — air elements, microscopic particles, and replicated nanites combine into a sentient form. The form shifts and stretches, but remains “intact” around the basis of the particles and nanites within working together in close proximity.

Genetics and Reproduction

As they “mature” the nanites take on more complex consumption/conversion of energy in the air around them, drawing more particles to the form. The nanites themselves can be replicated only through conversion of significant energy. Eventually the particles cause shifts in weigh, and begin to weigh an ether down out of the atmospheric level of the Etherea world.
An Ether can split off a portion of oneself to combine with a portion of another, forming a new ether; however, this is a permanent change to all involved, neither of the previously individual ether remain as they were before. The shift of nanites produces a tether that ties the new ether to the previous two ether; that memory tether fades over time as the nanites focus within the new ether. However, atmospheric and elemental differences impact the length and strength of that tether; it’s not consistent fadeout process across the board.

Ecology and Habitats

They call the upper atmosphere of this planet their world — they vaguely understand that a surface exists far below, and in between denser particles of air, but they have not truly experienced either. The float in groups/pockets, with individual ethers moving from one area to another mostly via Forcestream (air current systems of travel otherwise they tend to stay with the those from whom they were created, or those nearby.

Biological Cycle

The younger ethers are lighter, more agile — they move easily through air and quickly convert energy. This activity slows down as they get older. The more particles they consume without releasing, the more “weighed down” they become — less agile, not as freely flowing. This causes the older ethers to “sit” a little lower in the atmosphere, and eventually the can “fall away” into lower atmosphere, outside of the Ethereal existence.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The nanities within the ether’s form are responsible for “memory” tethering younger ethereals to their specific creators. Communication is “thought”-level, but language is kept in reference to the original information the nanities had at the original initiation of sentience. “Personality” and the like are stored within the nanites, but shifts in atmospheric pressures on the form, accumulation of particles, and energy conversion all affect personality and mood.

Conservation Status

Endangered