The Aether

The AetherA note on spelling: "etheric" is more common in the modern era, while "aetheric" is more typical in early history. When referring to the aether itself, the 'a' should always be included—never write it as "ether" is simultaneously the fabric of space as well as a low-level background energy. It is gold in appearance.
== Phenomenon ==
=== Aetheric Gates ===
Aetheric Gates serve as the entrance to Pocket Dimensions.
=== Ley Lines ===
Ley Lines are used to navigate the Aether. They change very slowly and can thus be "mapped". They are also used for discovering new Aetheric Gates, as they will distort in a way noticable to finely tuned tools when they pass near an Aetheric Gate.
=== Pocket Dimensions ===
Pocket Dimensions are where Aetheric space has folded over itself many times due to the presence of a massive object, usually a new world. Aetheric Gates are imperfections in that folding.
== Applications ==
=== Fuel ===
Because the Aether is energy, it can be harvested and used to power machinery, as indeed most ships do while in transit.
=== Electricity ===
Aetheric energy naturally flows more quickly and readily through various mediums, particularly through quicksilver, a property which can be used to direct its flow into various objects. Aetheric generators and Aetheric converters create aetheric energy to push through the quicksilver "circuts" in order to power engines, aetheric blasters, and even stable computers.
=== Teleportation ===
In this particular field of study, matter is converted into energy through Overexposure and sent as waves over long distances through the Aether.
To oversimplify, it is necessary to reassemble the material being teleported while it is in transit. This reconstruction grows exponentially faster as the wave reaches its target.
=== Transmutation ===
Transmutation is similar to Teleportation, but the waves are usually reassembled on the spot, and modified in such a way as to change the material.
Transmutation is a much newer field of research than Teleportation, only having been taken seriously in the past century.
== Dangers ==
=== Null Space ===
Naturally occuring or due to overharvesting, Null Space is area with little-to-no etheric energy. These regions are where the "skin" of reality is stripped bare and where horrors like The Unnamed can start to affect reality and "tap" on the surface of creation. Passing through these zones is known to cause individuals to go mad.
On the other hand, these zones are much easier for etheric computations and the Machine God Baradun has claimed many such sites for unknown purposes.
=== Overexposure ===
Exposure to a large amount of etheric energy instantly energizes whatever it comes into contact with. This process is extremely important for the fields of Teleportation and Transmutation.
=== Still Space ===
Space containing etheric energy that does not flow. Results of The Pantheon War, this kind of space could be used to communicate or travel between Planes of existence.
=== Etheric Storms ===
Periodic storms within etheric ley lines can sometimes interfere with cosmic navigation.
During the Battle of Semal-Marivan, the Fialta Imperium was able to create artificial etheric storms to impede the Shantine navy by making use of null bomb detonations.
== Development and Loss ==
=== History ===
The ability to manipulate the aether has been gained, lost, and regained over the course of history. Many of the secrets of The Mage Imperium, for example, have still not been recovered even during the incredible advances of the modern period. The mages themselves were given knowledge initially by Adalna, their patron god.
== Game Mechanics ==
The etherics skill allows a character to build, fix, or use etheric devices.
== Notes ==
Aether