The Mortal Weave

Ethereals are pure, unfiltered magic given humanoid shape. As such, they reflect knowledge imprinted on its form at creation. However, this reflection can shift as they accumulate more information. For example, when ethereals are unfocused or uncertain of themselves, their forms will naturally reflect this thought process, appearing as cobbled strings of energy loosely suggestive of a humanoid form. Those with greater awareness and confidence, however, appear more solid and shaped, displaying themselves with a smooth, solidified humanoid outline. Furthermore, in the rarest of instances, an ethereal who achieves true understanding of themselves can achieve an almost enlightened state: appearing almost entirely human, indistinguishable from a crowd. Just as the mind is flexible, so too is an ethereal’s body: shifting and changing between these forms to reflect their maturity or emotional state. While an ethereal might appear to be loose and uncertain during times of distress, they can quickly become more solidified as they regain confidence.

Regardless of their state of self, the ethereal’s unique form seems to magnetically attract light pieces of organic matter to themselves. Things such as bandages, leaves, or light pieces of cloth may magically float into an ethereal’s form, becoming incorporated into their body. Just as any character will experience change and evolution over the course of their adventure, so too will your ethereal. As your ethereal’s state of mind changes throughout the adventure, so too, may their form shift to reflect those changes.

Living Reflections

The most critical moment in an ethereal’s life is their creation. While ethereals can be created in many events —the death of a significant mind, magical explosions, wars, archmage battles, experiments, tragedies — one of the key elements necessary is a significant event of some nature. These events, which typically occur in areas of extreme magical potency , is where the nature of the weave can be reinterpreted, allowing for the birth of an ethereal. This birth will significantly characterize the ethereal created; while an ethereal that came about from the death of a noble and just king may find kindness in their soul, one that is the reflection of a vile warlord may instead lean towards cruel or impulsive actions.

The Rampant Echoes

While ethereals come into the world with little more than raw emotion, they have keen intuitive understandings of the universe, and particularly, the nature of magic itself. Because of this understanding, they learn quickly from others and can mature into functioning adults over the course of only a few years or even months. Despite this quick maturity cycle, their growth has a potentially fatal flaw. As they are but echoes in the weave, unsubstantiated by anything, ethereals that become consumed with the acquisition of knowledge can quickly corrupt and find themselves in a state known as rampancy. Rampant ethereals quickly smolder out like a star, burning through themselves and rapidly unwinding their sense of self to the point of complete annihilation. Throughout your adventure, you may decide to have your ethereal explore this condition at you and your DM’s discretion.

Ethereal Names:

Ethereals often name themselves shortly after creation, allowing their chosen moniker to appear to themselves in an epiphany. As such, these names can come from any culture, or any terminology and usually have roots tied into the individual’s creation. While some ethereals may have names grounded in the cultures they find themselves created in, others instead may name themselves after concepts important to their present, past, or future.