Aether

Aether is the sole energy source in existence, created and wielded exclusively by Magi since it was gifted by the Angels to the first Magi. It powers all technology, infrastructure, and daily life, but in its raw form, Aether is lethal to non-Magi and must be contained within quartz crystals for safe use. Control over Aether is the foundation of Magi authority and dominance.

Origin & History

Aether was gifted approximately two thousand years ago by The Angels to twenty-two chosen individuals who embodied their values. These individuals became the first Magi, and their descendants inherited the ability to generate, manipulate, and control Aether through their bloodlines.

For the first thousand years, Aether was used exclusively in its raw form, directed and shaped by its wielder. Eventually, Magi discovered that quartz crystals could store Aether indefinitely without degradation, enabling its use as a stable energy source. This breakthrough led to the development of Aether-powered technology, machinery, and infrastructure.

During The Age of Enlightenment, the Magi expanded the use of Aether-infused quartz, realising they could use human labour to manufacture Aether technology on a larger scale. While humans could not manipulate Aether, they could assemble and maintain Magi-designed devices, allowing the Magi to focus on governance, philosophy, and research while ensuring that Aether technology became integrated into daily life.

Today, Aether powers everything from energy stations to vehicles, industrial machinery, and computing systems. As only Magi can produce and control Aether, it remains under their absolute authority, with non-Magi restricted to using technology as designed by its Magi creators.

Properties

Aether is a highly potent and controlled energy source, capable of being shaped and directed by those who wield it. It has several distinct physical and energetic properties that define its behaviour.

Physical Characteristics

• Appearance: In its raw state, Aether manifests as a pale blue glow, with its intensity varying depending on the amount produced. When stored in quartz, it loses its glow but retains its energy indefinitely.
• Temperature: To Magi, Aether feels hot and weighty, though this sensation is absent in Aether-infused technology. However, raw Aether is lethal to non-Magi if touched directly.
• Sound: When created or manipulated, Aether emits a distinct humming vibration, which increases in intensity with greater concentrations.

Energetic Properties

• Control and Stability: Aether is naturally stable when wielded by Magi. All Magi can control the Aether they produce, and if released, it simply dissipates. Stronger or more skilled Magi can generate and manipulate greater quantities, while lesser ones can only create smaller amounts.
• Interaction with the Environment: Aether produces static effects in the air, which are clearly perceptible. The strength and intensity of Aether determine the amount of static present.

Aether’s properties make it a powerful yet highly controlled force, ensuring it remains fully under Magi authority.

Manifestation and Control

Magi generate Aether from within themselves, drawing upon their innate ability to produce and manipulate it at will. Aether does not exist in the environment and must be actively created. While all Magi can wield Aether, their methods and level of control vary depending on skill and experience.

Generation and Manipulation

• Aether Channelling: Aether is typically channelled through the hands, though a sufficiently powerful Magi could generate it from their entire body.
• Gestures and Mudras: Gestures and mudras are commonly used to focus intent and direct Aether, particularly when forming constructs. More experienced Magi require fewer movements and can manipulate Aether with minimal effort.
• Form and Intensity: Magi can adjust the intensity, size, and form of Aether they produce, shaping it according to their needs.

Aether Constructs and Dissipation

• Aether Constructs: Magi can create temporary constructs, such as lines suspended in space, floating spheres, or other shapes. These constructs are used for theoretical research or personal enjoyment but are not practical for long-term applications.
• Dissipation: Constructs formed from raw Aether will naturally fade unless connected to a Magi or stored in quartz. The time Aether takes to dissipate depends on its strength and quantity—weaker constructs fade faster, while more concentrated Aether persists longer.
• Storage: The only way to preserve Aether long-term is by infusing it into quartz crystals, which prevent dissipation and allow for later extraction.

Aether remains under full Magi control, existing only through active manipulation or when securely stored in quartz.

Applications

Aether powers all technology, infrastructure, industry, communication, and military applications. Every powered device, from massive industrial machinery to personal gadgets, is dependent on Aether-infused quartz crystals.

Energy Distribution and Storage

Aether is supplied through two primary methods:

• Power Stations: These are vast buildings containing thousands of Grade 1 Aether-infused quartz crystals, which provide a constant energy supply to large regions. The power is distributed through infrastructure that connects to homes, businesses, and public services, allowing stationary devices to function continuously.
• Quartz Crystals: Mobile objects, such as vehicles, weapons, communication devices, and personal gadgets, contain embedded Aether-infused quartz crystals as independent power sources. These allow for full mobility without reliance on external power grids.

Aether Crystal Processing

Quartz crystals are mined and graded by human and slave labour before being transported to factories, where Magi imbue them with Aether. These infused crystals are then installed into various devices by human workers, ensuring large-scale manufacturing without requiring Magi involvement at every stage. There are three power grades:

• Grade 1 (High Power): Used in large vehicles, tanks, ships, weapons, and shields.
• Grade 2 (Medium Power): Used in phones, laptops, motorbikes, and boats.
• Grade 3 (Low Power): Used in torches, bicycles, and smaller powered devices.

Technology and Magi Interface

Magi can interface directly with Aether-powered technology, allowing for advanced customisation and precise control beyond standard user functions. This applies to both stationary and mobile devices, enhancing efficiency and usability. Magi are able to:

• Modify settings to create personalised configurations, such as fine-tuned adjustments to vehicles, weapons, and industrial machinery.
• Optimise performance by adjusting Aether flow and energy efficiency on demand.
• Access locked or hidden functions that are inaccessible to humans, reinforcing Magi technological superiority.

Humans, by contrast, can only operate Aether-powered technology as it was originally designed, without the ability to modify or customise its performance.

Effects of Raw Aether

Raw Aether interacts with both the environment and living beings in distinct ways. While Magi can wield Aether with precision, its presence produces noticeable effects, particularly in high concentrations or when directly applied. Aether-infused technology and crystals do not produce these effects and are completely safe to handle.

Effects on the Environment

• Static Charge: Raw Aether generates a perceptible static effect in the air, with the intensity increasing based on the strength and concentration of Aether present.
• Residual Charge: Large-scale Aether use can leave a temporary residual energy in an area, which fades within seconds after the Aether is no longer in use.

Effects on Living Beings

• Magi: As natural wielders of Aether, Magi experience no discomfort from its presence. While prolonged use can be mentally and physically draining, they do not perceive Aether’s static charge or ambient hum as non-Magi do.
• Humans: Direct physical contact with raw Aether is lethal, causing instant death. In its immediate vicinity, however, humans experience a strong static charge in the air, tingling sensations in their skin, hair standing on end, and an ambient hum.
• Ananans: Strong Aether concentrations cause painful seizures, spasms, and extreme sensory overload. Even minor exposure can leave them disoriented, making Magi-dominated spaces intolerable for them.

Governance and Security

The Magi enforce strict control over all aspects of Aether storage, distribution, and application, ensuring that only those authorised may access it. This oversight extends to both raw Aether and Aether-infused crystals, which are heavily tracked, regulated, and protected to maintain Magi authority.

Security and Oversight of Aether Crystals

• All Aether crystals are strictly controlled: Crystals are assigned a designated purpose and cannot be accessed or moved without authorisation.
• Power station crystals are heavily guarded: These energy reserves are essential to maintaining the Magi’s control over infrastructure and are secured against theft or tampering.
• Crystals cannot be removed or repurposed: Once installed in a device, Aether crystals are locked to that function and cannot be extracted or re-used elsewhere.

Bureaucratic Regulation and Audits

• Every Aether crystal is catalogued: Records track production, assigned location, and intended application.
• Regular inspections prevent unauthorised access: Power stations, manufacturing facilities, and storage sites undergo routine audits to ensure compliance with Magi regulations.
• Broken or damaged crystals must be reported: Any compromised crystal is logged, and its remains are collected for examination or disposal.

Legal Enforcement and Penalties

• Theft: Unauthorised possession or removal of a crystal is a crime, as all Aether use is under Magi control.
• Tampering: Any attempt to modify, bypass, or manipulate a crystal’s function is prohibited.
• Deliberate Breaking: Destroying a crystal to evade tracking or disrupt Aether supply is punishable by severe consequences.
• Laws protect Magi authority: Regulations exist to preserve Magi dominance over Aether, not to protect humans from harm.

Disposal and Recovery of Crystals

• Crystals are stable and safe to handle: If broken, the raw Aether within dissipates instantly and cannot be recovered.
• Damaged crystals are collected and processed: They are either repurposed or destroyed under Magi oversight.

Through rigid security, bureaucratic oversight, and strict legal enforcement, the Magi maintain absolute control over Aether and its distribution, reinforcing their dominance over all technological and energy production.

Cultural and Religious Impact

Aether is not just energy; it is the foundation of faith, power, and identity. Its presence reaffirms the Magi’s divine status, shaping religious doctrine, governance, and cultural expectations. Every aspect of society is built upon the belief that Aether is a gift from the Angels, given only to the Magi, proving their divine right to rule.

Aether and Cosmos Doctrine

• Cosmos teaches that Aether is a sacred gift bestowed by the twelve Angels upon twenty-three chosen individuals.
• Clerics of Cosmos, who are all Magi, perform Aether displays as part of religious ceremonies, reinforcing the connection between Aether and divine favour.
• Aether manifestations are treated as holy events, and it is believed that witnessing Aether is a glimpse into the divine.

Rituals and Mandatory Declarations

• When a human or Ananan witnesses Aether, they must recite:

Praise the angels. May they forgive my simple eyes, that I might look upon your wonderous gifts, and know the face of the divine.

— Prayer in the presence of Aether

• This phrase is culturally expected, and failing to say it would be seen as deeply disrespectful.

Divine Authority of the Magi

• Magi are seen as living proof of divine favour, and their ability to wield Aether sets them apart from all other beings.
• Humans and Ananans are taught from birth that Magi rule by divine right, as only they can wield the Angels' gift.
• Public reverence toward Magi is expected in all social interactions, as a reflection of their divine status.

Aether’s Role in Society

• Dependence on Aether reinforces Magi dominance. Since Aether powers everything, including homes, transport, communication, and industry, society is completely reliant on the Magi to maintain its function.
• Power stations are symbols of Magi rule. Guarded by Magi authorities, these stations supply energy across cities and rural areas, reinforcing that civilisation exists at the Magi’s discretion.
• Aether is beyond human innovation. Humans and Ananans accept that Aether is a divine gift and do not attempt to study or alter it, as that knowledge is considered exclusive to the Magi.

Aether is not merely a resource; it is the physical manifestation of divine favour. Its presence in every aspect of life ensures that the Magi remain unquestioned as rulers, inheritors of the Angels' will, and the sole wielders of the most powerful force in existence.

Gestures

Magi use a system of mudras to direct and control raw Aether, shaping constructs, and focusing their intent. These gestures are codified, disciplined, and widely understood among Magi. However, more experienced Magi rely on them less.

Basic

Construct

Control