Aetherborn

 

History

Imperial records of the Aetherborn date as far back as pre-unification. For much of this history, they have been regarded with suspicion at best, and outright hostility as a norm. It was thought that the birth of an Aetherborn was the result of either blasphemous actions or relations with a mutated or otherwise cursed individual, until modern researchers were able to definitively prove these to be nothing more than old-wives tales and superstition. Current understanding of magic has led researchers to assert that, in rare circumstances, exposure to dangerous amounts of raw aetherial energies can result in permanent mutations to the unborn in the womb. Attempts have been made to replicate this in laboratory conditions, to little result.
  The old Emperor declared the Aetherborn to be abominations and twisted reflections of true humanity. They were forbidden from residing within Imperial territories, and often had bounties placed upon their heads for simply being spotted near populated areas. Imperial Arbiters were dispatched to round up any citizens suspected of being Aetherborn, their methods brutal and swift. Those that escaped were driven into exile, forced to seek refuge on the fringes of society.
  The Emperor Eternal has loosened these restrictions somewhat, but still requires all Aetherborn wanting to pass through Imperial territory to carry identification cards and bear clear symbols warning others of the threat they pose. Few are willing to comply, though rarely small groups of Aetherborn can be seen traveling along Imperial roads.
  Despite the Empire's condemnation and the dangers of their unpredictable powers, the Aetherborn found ways to adapt, creating hidden havens and forging their own communities. In these places they could coexist and seek a balance between the Aetherial Flow’s capricious nature and their fragile grip on humanity.
 

Appearance

Though each Aetherborn possesses unique physical characteristics, certain shared traits mark them as separate, set apart from those who haven't been touched by the raw power of the Flow.
  The most recognizable trait is the faint luminescence that clings to their skin. This light might manifest as a subtle aura, a flickering pattern of veins beneath their flesh, or shimmering particles that dance in the air around them. The hue of their glow typically aligns with their dominant elemental affinity.
  Their eyes are intensely colored, with unusual flecks of silver, gold, or black swirling within their irises. Some possess pupils that shift in shape depending on their mood, becoming slitted like a cat’s in moments of focus, or expanding like a hawk’s when they perceive a subtle energy shift.
  Aetherborn have near endless power to draw upon to use their magic, and as they expend this energy their physical form is temporarily altered. An ice Aetherborn might grow a solid layer of ice over their skin, a fire might cause the air around them to combust. This is the primary stated reason for them being driven from society, as this can cause damage and injure those nearby.
  Beyond their visible traits, Aetherborn radiate a subtle energy, a disruption in the usual Aetherial Flow, an aura that animals can sense and some magically sensitive humans perceive.
 
 

"Imagine this: You’ve got your charming chap whose every touch makes flowers bloom, the fiery lass who accidentally sets her hair ablaze when she gets flustered (a hazard on the dating scene, darling, trust me), and the brooding soul whose very presence chills the air around him. They’re like walking, talking yrddestones – unpredictable, potent, and often misunderstood.
  The Empire, of course, freaks out. Order, control, that whole “humans are superior" spiel? The Aetherborn shatter that illusion into a thousand glowing pieces. They’re a living reminder that the wild magic of Yrdde doesn't give a damn about your titles, your rules, or your precious little hierarchies.
  So they banish them, ostracize them, try to sweep their existence under the rug. Fools! They’re creating a powder keg, honey, pushing those who've already been touched by chaos to the fringes, forcing them to form their own communities, whispering their own secrets.
  Me? I find them utterly captivating. They're the perfect blend of human vulnerability and raw power, their stories full of heartbreak, resilience, and those tantalizing glimmers of "what if.” The Aetherborn are a reminder that in Yrdde, even the laws of nature are negotiable." - E Dawnstrider