Magic & Etherium

Etherium

In the old world, when the god Odin died, his decent into the material plane ripped a whole in the force that kept the material plane away from the astrals. In this tear, a force called Etherium descended into the material planes. The great sundering corrected the damage the Etherium caused and re-sealed the holes in the protective barrier, but the etherium was not destroyed, nor were these holes completed patched.
Etherium is the force of magic, a power that flows like energy. Etherium fills the astral plane and forms the very foundation of creation, as well as entropy. Many believe that Etherium flows out of Limbo, where it is created. Etherium coalesces in three main forms; Physical, such as in magical gemstones and ores, Gifted, when etherium is channeled from Astral and divine beings into their followers, and Ebb and Flow, the forces of etherium that naturally shift and flow through matter.

• Physical etherium is the most limited of the three, a finite resource that remains from the destruction of the Old World. An example of physical etherium are gemstones, particularly those which possess magical powers; When physical etherium coalesced into restorative magic, white diamonds were formed. Magically enchanted objects is another example of physical ehterium, where magical efects are imbued into objects.


• Gifted etherium, often refered to as divine magic, is provided by deities to mortals in the material plane, typically through devotion or through bargains. Celestial beings are also empowered by the collective worship of mortals (more of which is later discussed). Gifted etherium can even can also be provided through spirits in the ethereal plane, as well as by powerful shadow-lords and archfey that obtain extreme powers in gifting etherium. Finally, there is Ebb and Flow, often refered to as Arcane magic.


• The Ebb and Flow of etheriums is the natural force of etherium that flows through physical matter as an invisible, incorporable force. Sorcerers and wizards devote their lives to learning about this force, and how specific gestures, materials and speech can be used to channel and harness such power.

The impact of Etherium on the natural world has been so extreme that its effects have formed entire planes. During the great sundering, the major effects of etherium were seperated into their own planes. The Fey realm is where creational etherium was sent, hence the abudnance of life and magic that flows throughout the plane. Meanwhile, in the Shadowrealm which sits opposite the fey realm with the material inbetween, is where etheriun is all destructive. The underdark was an unintended consequence of etherium; when etherium fell from the skies of the old world, it travelled downwards and seeped into the soils and rock bellow, corrupting the underworld into the twisted underdark.
Etherium naturally occurs in all beings and creatures. In fact, many believe that the souls and spirits that roam the world are embodiments of Etherium, where the power creates life. However, not all spirits and souls are made the same, especially in terms of handling etherium. While etherium channels through all spirits, only some are capable of harnessing that power. Species such as Elves have spirits capable of wielding etherium much more proficiently than humans. Dwarves on the other hand have a notoriously poor ability at wielding etherium, instead relying on practices of theism and enchanting. Many compare the powers of etherium within a person to that of willpower, where even if they are unable of wielding etherium, they are uncosciously able to channel it through their actions and endevours.

Magical Classifications