Aether (Ee-fer)

Permeating nearly every part of the world, Aether is the energy that fuels all magic. Found both within the wild and those born with the mages gift, Aether well known for its ability to influence the world around it, ranging from manipulating the elements to creating lifelike illusions. While much about this energy remains a mystery to even the most knowledgeable scholars, the power it contains and bestows ensures that Aether continues to be viewed with both respect and caution.

Properties

Material Characteristics

While Aether normally exists as an invisible energy, those who've managed to see it (either as a result of some special trait of the observer, or as a result of there being enough Aether in an area to become visible) describe it as resembling a swirling blueish-violet aurora.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Those who can use Aether, or are exposed to it, often describe the sensation as being "electrifying", "warm", sometimes "invigorating".

Geology & Geography

Aether exists throughout the world, though some areas have higher concentrations of it than others.

History & Usage

History

It's commonly believed that Aether has existed for as long as the world of Taeva has existed, having been brought into the world by the Dragons. While only the Dragons were able to use Aether for a time, their constant radiating of Aether out into the world indirectly resulted in it being absorbed by the mortal races, creating the first mages.

Everyday use

Aether is commonly used to fuel spells, though some have more recently begun investigating methods of harnessing it to power machinery.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Aether holds a considerable amount of cultural significance among various different cultures and races, especially among those who produce a high number of mages (like the Elves or Myrian humans).

Hazards

Imbalances in Aether in an area (either too much or too little of it) can create dangerous areas where magic behaves erratically, or even ceases to work at all. Additionally, absorbing too much Aether can have detrimental effects on the body, with it being explosively released from the body being the most common outcome.

Environmental Impact

If there's enough of it in an area, Aether can create environmental anomalies, ranging from mutated wildlife and plant-life, to bizarre geographic effects (like floating landmasses or strangely shaped landmarks), or even rifts leading to other realms (like the Fae Realm).

Reusability & Recycling

Aether doesn't deplete, with any Aether spent in the casting of spells simply returning to the environment. Additionally, a mages personal Aether reserves are always restored over time using the Aether from the environment.

Type

Metaphysical

Color

While normally invisible to the naked eye, those who've seen Aether in its raw natural state describe it as being blueish-violet in colour.

Common State

Energy