Aetherites

The Aetherites remain one of the greatest mysteries in Utania's history, their brief yet profound presence sparking countless theories, cultural shifts, and advancements. To this day, much about them remains shrouded in secrecy.   The Aetherites appeared suddenly on Aetheris, descending from the sky in massive, glowing ships that defied any known form of magic or engineering. Their arrival coincided with a series of massive planar disruptions, including the first recorded use of Voidstone as a stable material.   To the people of Utania, the Aetherites appeared as otherworldly beings, tall and enigmatic, clad in shimmering, incomprehensible armor. Their presence was often interpreted as divine or apocalyptic, depending on the culture. Some called them gods, while others viewed them as invaders.   The Solithar Empire attempted to make contact, seeing them as potential allies or weapons. Their envoys were politely but firmly turned away. Riftgate’s scholars saw the Aetherites as a key to understanding the rifts and pursued them relentlessly for knowledge.   The arrival of the Aetherites disrupted trade routes and alliances. Nations like Elarond, wary of planar incursions, prepared for war, fearing a hostile invasion. Religious leaders in Nyssgard and Vinterhaven declared the Aetherites as harbingers of the end times.   The Aetherites never revealed their true purpose, but their actions left lasting impacts. They traversed the world, often pausing at leyline nexus points to construct mysterious spires and obelisks. These structures, most still standing today, seem to stabilize the surrounding magic, reducing the frequency and volatility of rifts.   In select places like Riftgate and Shadowspire, the Aetherites wordlessly gifted cryptic texts and devices. These “gifts” often required decades of study before their purpose became clear, leading to significant advancements in Voidstone refinement and planar theory.   In areas like the Glass Wastes and Shattered Expanse, the Aetherites were seen performing enigmatic rituals that lessened the devastation caused by previous planar breaches. Observers noted that these rituals often left behind faint, glowing runes that slowly faded over centuries.   Despite their incredible power, the Aetherites avoided direct involvement in Utania’s conflicts. Efforts to provoke them—such as the Solithar Empire’s attempt to seize an obelisk—were met with swift, bloodless retaliation: soldiers were teleported away, and their weapons turned to dust.   The Aetherites’ departure was as sudden and unexplainable as their arrival. One fateful night, the Aetherites vanished, leaving their ships behind as inert, indestructible husks scattered across the world. Witnesses claimed the sky split open, revealing what appeared to be a vast, multicolored void, before sealing itself shut.   The magical energy released during their departure caused planar rifts to erupt across Utania, especially in areas they had been active, like the Glass Wastes. Some theorized the Aetherites had sealed the most dangerous planar breaches but paid a terrible price for doing so.   In Riftgate and other scholarly hubs, the Aetherites were mourned as benefactors who left too soon. Some faiths, particularly in Nyssgard, interpreted their departure as a rejection of Utania’s "worthiness." Entire cults arose, believing the Aetherites would return if properly worshiped. The Church of the Aether, for instance, sees them as celestial guardians.   Nations like Elarond, armed with knowledge left behind, rose to prominence. Others, like the Solithar Empire, resented their lack of access to the Aetherites’ gifts and turned to militarization for rift defence. Devices such as Planar Stabilizers and Voidstone Refinement Arrays were reverse-engineered from Aetherite technology. Shadowspire’s Crystal Nexus was inspired by their leyline spires, becoming the world’s most advanced center for planar research.   Their massive, silent vessels remain scattered across the continents, impervious to damage or study. These “Aetherite Monoliths” are both revered and feared, with many nations building shrines or fortresses around them. Despite lingering issues, planar rifts would likely be far worse without the Aetherites’ leyline work. However, some scholars warn that the damage they repaired may only be temporary.   Why did the Aetherites come to Utania? Why did they leave? Are they even alive, or were they constructs of some greater cosmic force? Scholars debate whether their actions were meant to protect Utania or to preserve their own survival.  

Abandoned Wonders

  A number of wonders were left in the wake of the Aetherites departure. In addition to their ships and technologies, a few unique items stand out.   

• The Obelisk of Frostmourne: Found in Vinterhaven, this Aetherite structure is said to glow faintly during the Frostwarden’s Vigil, leading to speculation that it resonates with the spirits of the dead.
• Nyssgard’s Skybreakers: A heretical sect claims that the Aetherites were exiled for stealing divine power, using their ships to escape their punishment. Somehow, this order has been able to partially reactivate a single Aetherite ship. At this time, they primarily use it to conduct petty raids for supplies. 
• Riftgate’s Cryptic Texts: The "Aether Codices" are the surviving books handed to the scholar's of Riftgate by the Aetherites. They are filled with symbols that still defy full translation. Some scholars claim the texts change subtly when read, as if alive.