Aether Motes

There I was, sitting upon the river bank singing the tales of Naeriga The Valiant when this shining light appeared! It was a wonderful thing! Bright balls of energy, I am sure of it! They danced around me as if they were entranced by my song! So I continued - and then! Well! They took my lute from me and cast it in the river! They way they danced after! I was sure they laughed at me! The little buggers...

— Udolf Jin - The Bad Bard.

Common Names: Aetherlings, Lightkin, Motes, Whisperwisps (in N’yamarinth), Blinklings (in Eliond).

Classification: Unknown — theories range from magical insect to sentient energy construct

Disposition: Curious, playful, intelligent, unreasonably stubborn

Diet: Aetheric resonance from Aetheri

Habitat: High-Aether zones (Orva, Arevael Isle, Eliond, N’yamarinth, Aesharel)

Known Subtypes: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Light, Dark

These little balls of light are more than what they seem. It is unclear if they are insects or pure aether energy, but they hold an intelligence that proves that they are more than lifeless objects. they are attract to Aether and dwell in places that have it in abundance. They are also attracted to Aetheri, particularly those who hold great power, and to those people, they may obey orders or perform tasks for them.

Most are playful in nature,.They like to dance around people that they are attracted to and will often do so if they want to play with that person. If an aether mote happens upon an aetheri who slumbers, it will bounce gently on the Aetheri's skin until they wake up.

The relationship between Aether Motes and Aetheri is one of mutual magical nourishment and emotional resonance. This phenomenon is known as the Aetherlink.

What the motes gain:

• Sustenance: Motes feed on the residual Aetheric emissions released by Aetheri, emotional highs, or sleep. It is not draining or harmful to the Aetheri, but rather akin to bees sipping nectar.
• Stimulation: Just as they feed on magic, they also crave intellectual and emotional stimuli. They delight in song, laughter, puzzles, and pranks.
• Protection: Dwelling close to Aetheri shields them from the corruptive wild magic zones that might destabilise their forms.

What do the Aetheri Gain:

• Magical Efficiency: Motes subtly attune themselves to their bonded Aetheri, smoothing magic-casting flow and making energy manipulation more efficient. They can even "nudge" cast magic slightly if the Aetheri falters.
• Early Warnings: Motes become agitated when danger is near, especially if that danger involves corrupted magic.
• Companionship: Though non-verbal, they express affection and mischief through movement, glow intensity, and harmonic hums. Many Aetheri claim their motes comfort them during nightmares or loneliness.
• Rare Ability Boosts: A few powerful motes, particularly Light and Dark variants, have been known to merge temporarily with Aetheri during moments of crisis, enhancing their magic or shielding them from harm.

Each mote has a distinctive hue, behaviour, and personality 'flavour'

Fire Motes

Bold and Dramatic. Will ignite small objects playfully, (or not so playfully).

• Favourite activity: Chasing torchlight.
• Known prank: warming someone socks while they are wearing them.

Water Motes

Serene but slippery in temperament. Float lazily unless startled. Often dwell around ponds, rivers and lakes. Only the bravest water aether motes dwells by the ocean - it is big and scary!

• Favourite activity: Making ripples in still cups of tea.
• Known prank: Dripping cold water down the back of an unsuspecting person.

Air Motes

Zippy and unpredictable. Hover in spirals and loops.

• Favourite activity: Tingling hair and disappearing.
• Known prank: Making 'fart gusts' at very inopportune moments.

Earth Motes

Heavier, calmer, often cling to walls or shoes.

• Favourite activity: Rearranging pebbles into obscure symbols.
• Known prank: Making someone’s boots inexplicably heavier.

Light Motes

Incredibly fast. Rarely still. Frequently mistaken for fireflies.

• Favourite activity: Mimicking stars in dark rooms.
• Known prank: Flashing at critical moments during speeches.

Dark Motes

Quiet and unsettlingly intelligent. They flicker in and out of sight.

• Favourite activity: Being Not Seen.
• Known prank: Turning off the lights at inconvenient moments.

There have been instances of aether motes becoming tainted. Like most beings, they are susceptible to corruption. The reason for this is unknown but some believe it is related to the abuse of their magic by an Aetheri with not-so-innocent motives.

How they reproduce is unknown, but scholars, both non-magical and Aetheri, research these little motes and are in the midst of making great discoveries. When these motes 'die', they become a magical energy, enriching their surroundings with magic. This gives certain lands extraordinary looks and provides the lands with magical resources.