ectoplasm

Ectoplasm is the matter-like substance which makes up objects in the Astral Plane. It is often described as a mist-like substance that flows like a silvery cloud until is coalesces into solid form.

Properties

Physical & Chemical Properties

In the Astral realm, conscious, unconscious, subconscious, and extra-conscious thought is able to mold and shape the environment much like gravity, electromagnetism, and atomic forces shape the Material. Because of this, it can take on any property, form, characteristic, density and mass, state, or amount of any matter in the Material Plane, including impossible and paradoxical ones. The only limitation is the user's imagination.

Origin & Source

The Astral Plane

Life & Expiration

When used, released, or dispelled, ectoplasm returns to the Astral Plane. An observer in the Material Plane would experience this as a violation of the physical law on the Conservation of Matter, but when the observer expands their definition of the universe to include additional dimensions, they can easily see this conservation is, in fact, preserved.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Ectoplasm can be "borrowed" from the Astral Plane by beings from either the Material Plane or the Ethereal Plane for different reasons and effects. Using ectoplasm in the Material realm allows beings to form and shape it using their mental will to mimic various states and substances of matter. Using it in the Spiritual/Ethereal realm allows beings to negate and deal with the forms of spiritual energy and energy fields that operate in that universe.
This kind of back-and-forth is very rare, however, for two main reasons. For one, it takes a great amount of energy to accomplish. Additionally, a small population of either kind of being has the ability to accomplish this feat, which can be done using other, more efficient and effective means. But the second reason has to do with the availability and nature of the Astral realm. While the Material and Ethereal are coterminous, the Astral Plane is not. Opportunities to connect, travel, and utilize Astral ectoplasm don't always line up and may be unreliable.

Distribution

Law & Regulation

Officially banned in most places throughout the Ethereal realms.

Rarity

Ubiquitous in the Astral Plane. Otherwise, extremely rare and impermanent in other planes of existence.