Sunderlings

Sunderlings are the most ubiquitous remnants of the Sundering’s devastation, manifesting as twisted, chaotic forms of once-familiar creatures. While the towering Aethertitans embody the raw, overwhelming power of the Sundering, Sunderlings represent its pervasive and insidious reach, haunting the lives of Aethria’s people in every corner of the land.   Ranging from small, warped animals to grotesque amalgamations of multiple beings, Sunderlings are bound by one shared trait: their connection to wild, uncontrolled Aether. These creatures often bear glowing veins, malformed limbs, or otherworldly features that mark their unnatural origins. Their behaviors vary greatly—some are mindless predators, while others display cunning intelligence, stalking their prey with terrifying precision.  

Origins

The Sundering’s release of chaotic magic did not discriminate. Animals, plants, and even the land itself absorbed the unleashed energies, twisting into new, horrifying forms. Where Aethertitans arose from concentrated surges of magic, Sunderlings were the result of smaller, fragmented infusions, creating countless mutations across Aethria. These beings proliferated rapidly, as their corrupted nature often enhances their survival instincts and reproductive abilities.  

Behavior

Sunderlings’ behaviors are as varied as their forms. Some act as lone hunters, while others travel in packs, resembling wolves, birds, or insects but with grotesque, magical enhancements. Their aggression often stems from the chaotic energies within them, driving them to attack anything they encounter. Villages near areas of high magical concentration, such as ruins of floating cities or regions still scarred by the Sundering, frequently suffer from Sunderling attacks.   Certain Sunderlings, however, exhibit territorial behaviors, treating their corrupted environments as their dominions. These areas become no-go zones for travelers, littered with signs of Sunderling presence such as twisted vegetation, unnatural sounds, or glowing remnants of Aether.

Impact on Daily Life

For the common folk of Aethria, Sunderlings are not a distant threat; they are a daily reality. Farmers fortify their fields and shepherds train their dogs to fend off the smaller Sunderling predators. Tradesmen moving between towns often hire guards, aware that even the best-prepared caravans are at risk of being ambushed. Entire villages have been abandoned to Sunderling infestations, their ruins serving as a grim reminder of the creatures’ ever-present menace.   To survive, communities have developed countless strategies. Traps, fortified walls, and watchtowers have become staples of rural life, while some villages employ hunters trained specifically to deal with Sunderling threats. For many, the fight against these creatures is a grim necessity—a constant battle to protect their homes and livelihoods.

Significance in the World of Aethria

Sunderlings are a manifestation of Aethria’s struggle to rebuild itself in the wake of the Sundering. They serve as a daily reminder of the chaos that fractured the world and of the dangers that come with living amidst its remnants. While they are far less grandiose than Aethertitans, their prevalence ensures that no one in Aethria is untouched by their influence.   In their relentless aggression, Sunderlings embody both the cost of the Sundering and the resilience of those who endure it. For every villager who takes up arms to defend their family or trapper who clears the woods of these creatures, the fight against Sunderlings is not just about survival—it is about reclaiming a world stolen by chaos.