Aetherials

Aetherials is a term for any being which is composed more out of the energy of the Astral Plane than of the Veil, and as a result, are more magically potent and malleable. Aetherials, due to the Veil having a weaker grasp upon them, are all unaffected by the ravages of time, and can recover from damage that would kill a Tellurian mortal. However, the advantages of the malleability that their stronger connection to the Astral Plane grants them are also balanced by the disadvantages it brings, as any mortal of sufficient knowledge and will is able to mold their essence for their own ends.

## Variations

At their very core, all Aetherials are the same, pieces of the Astral Sea, or Astral Plane, given consciousness. However, various mortal scholars who study the Aetherial planes have divided them into several classifications based on their native planes. It should be noted that many of these classifications do overlap.

### Ishtar

The Ishtar, most often known as the Fey, are spirits native to the planes of the Feywild. They are spirits closely tied with nature, and tend to be magically potent, whimsical, and chaotic as a result of their close ties to the natural world.

### Kailivar

Kailivar, often called celestials, are being native to the Upper Planes. Many are seen as divine and holy beings by mortals, often being worshiped as gods and angels. Some are lawful, some chaotic, but the vast majority of them tend to be good creatures, though obviously, exceptions do exist.

### Nurevar

The Nurevar, or elementals, as they are known by mortals, are entities spawned within the Elemental Planes and infused with the power of their native region within said planes. Their temperaments vary wildly, from chaotic and flighty entities to unyielding spirits of staunch order, from beings of vicious malignancy to creatures of good hearted kindness.

### Vlothar

Vlothar are entities who spawn from the planes of the Shadowfell, and are tied to entropy and decay. They tend to be spirits who absorb and consume life force and magic, and as a result, are often viewed as evil spirits by mortals.

### Zishathar

Zishathar is the term for the creatures of the Lower Planes, known commonly as fiends. Fiends are often viewed by mortals as demons, devils, and other creatures of evil. Whether chaotic or lawful, the Zishathar almost always tend to be wicked and destructive creatures, though of course, rare exceptions do exist.

## Physiology

### Appearance

Aetherial beings come in every conceivable shape and size. Generally speaking, each individual has a form that they tend to remain in, especially those who are weaker (meaning that they are composed of less Astral energy). More powerful Aetherials find it easier to alter their shape, especially in realms outside the Tellurian, where the Veil is weaker.

### Creation

Aetherials are formed through a variety of means. They can be brought into existence via sexual reproduction, crafted from raw Astral energy, or be former mortal souls who were transformed into an Aetherial entity.

### Immortality

Aetherials are not damaged by the effects of time, and are immortal in the sense that they do not age. However, they are still vulnerable to destruction, which can be achieved by having their essence absorbed by another Aetherial, consumed to power a spell, or by having their essence damaged to the point that it is scattered and no longer able to form its consciousness. Without the use of magic, this last option must usually be done within the Aetherial's native plane, as whenever they travel between worlds, a portion of themselves is left behind, serving as a beacon to pull back the rest so it can reform, if ever it is dispersed.

### Material Existence

Aetherials find the Veil heavy Tellurian difficult to exist in. For one, the thickness of the Veil around the plane makes it extremely difficult to transport enough of their essence there to form a physical body for themselves, so as to interact with the world. Once there, the Veil naturally attempts to disperse and weaken such a concentration of Astral energy, forcing them to expend power to maintain themselves while there. As a result, the majority of Aetherials summoned to the Tellurian can only remain there a few minutes at most, before their essence is dispersed, and flows back to their native plane, where a small portion of themselves is naturally stored during interplanar travel.

Given these complications, there are two main methods by which an Aetherial may sustain themselves within the Tellurian. Either they must be within proximity of a tear in the Veil, from which to draw Astral energy with which to hold themselves together, or they must be anchored to a physical object within the Tellurian, to properly hold themselves in place. The act of an Aetherial taking over an object is called possession, whereas an Aetherial being forced into an object is called being bound. The physical object they inhabit is known as a host or vessel.

It should be noted that sufficiently powerful Aetherials, possessed of a large amount of essence, are able to exist in multiple locations at once. Whether they take on one physical form or a thousand, the physical manifestation of an Aetherial is called an Avatar.

## Abilities

Avatar Construction: All Aetherials are capable of manifesting themselves into a physical form known as an Avatar. More powerful Aetherials are able to shape their Avatars to their will, or even have several Avatars at once. Manifesting and maintaining an Avatar is most difficult within the Tellurian.

Possession: All Aetherials are capable of possession, the act of infusing their essence into physical matter. This is more easily done with living creatures than inanimate objects, as the latter must have power used to make them able to move. Furthermore, possession is easier with Tellurian beings than other Aetherials, due to the fact that Tellurians, being less infused with the power of the Astral Plane, typically do not have as much magical power to resist being possessed.