Aether

This branch is the study of Spirit Arts. Aether is often listed as the "5th Element," being life itself, or one's Qi. Study of this branch can be deeply spiritual and meditative, and can be a great source of insight as well as personal growth, as it brings you to study the ultimate questions: who are you, and what do you want?

## Sub-Types

Radiant energy is split into two main types: Solar, and Lunar.

### Solar Radiant

Solar energy is that of the sun, and is empowered by daylight. It is at its most powerful at noon of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is a warm and dazzling light, and can be quite scorching. Many say that Solar Radiant is the highest form of Fire energy.

### Lunar Radiant

Lunar energy is that of the moon, and is more powerful at night. It is a reflected light and is at its most powerful on a full moon. Mirrored lights and mirror magic are tightly linked with the Lunar element, and it often finds power over reflective landscapes such as bright snow, still water, or glistening sand. Some say that Lunar is the highest form of Water energy.

### Shadow/Dark: the Antithesis

While studied as its own branch of Dark magic, Shadow is worth mentioning here for it is closely linked to Radiant as its opposite form of Aether energy. It is at its most powerful at midnight of the winter solstice, and to a lesser degree, at midnight on a new moon. Hexes and curses flow along the same energy paths as Radiant energy, drawing from the spirit rather than the energy of primal elements.

## Topics of Study

Aether, as an element, can be manipulated in many different ways.

### Radiant Evocation Attacks

Manifesting Aether into the form of attacks is perhaps the most obvious way to use the element. Whether a shining knight smiting a ghoul with a blast of solar radiance, or a woodland druid calling down a beam of moonlight to sear a creeping tendril of corrupted plant-life, Radiant attacks are quite useful in fighting against darkness. They do very little damage to plants and can even aid in their growth, making them popular among gardeners, herbalists, and protectors of the wild.

### Cures and Healing

Aether can be evoked to purify curses, cure confusion, and even restore life to a recently KO'd ally. It brings light and warmth within as it soothes the spirit. Radiant curatives are instrumental in restoring any blockage to one's magic access, as well, by restoring the flow of qi or mana through one's "chakra." Yoga is one active way to empower this flow, and is often taught at the Academy. Tai Chi is another example of a form worth study.

### Spirit Guardians

The concept of a guardian spirit, often in animal form, is common across folklore and cultures from all around the world. Whether spirit guides, Norse fylgja, the Greek daemons, a Fetch, or other terms, these guardians are possibly manifestations of your own spirit, or else are tightly tied to each person. The animal shape it takes is usually constant, though the form may change at certain points of your life. The animal form is often extremely significant to the person, and often reflects aspects of their core personality and that person's interpretation of the animal. Usually it is the same as an animal they might shapeshift into as well, though that is not a hard rule.

Some secondary spirit guardians may also show up to an individual over their life, having their own lesson to impart. When these manifest, a wise mage knows to pay attention and try to understand what that lesson may be, even if it is a creature that they fear.

### Ethereal Walk

By entering a deep meditation, mages can disconnect briefly from their physical bodies and interact on the ethereal plane. You can manifest on that plane as a ghostly version of yourself or in the same form as your Spirit Guardian animal, though details such as longer ears or glowing sigils or unnatural features are common and vary widely from mage to mage. Sound does not easily pass between these planes, but filtered light can be seen, and your form appears spectral to viewers. It is possible to explore through unwarded areas, but magic will effect an ethereal walker normally. Your physical body can still be harmed in this time, making such journeys risky if your body is left undefended.

A deeper trance can take your spirit into other planes of dimension, including the Astral plane, the Otherworld or Spirit World, and some other less understood places. Caution is advised against getting lost.

### Oneirology

Some schools will touch on dream magic, or Oneirology, as well. When used defensively, Dreamwalking is a way to establish control over your own dreams through lucid dreaming and can thus prevent nightmares. Some creatures such as the Mara can even prey upon dreamers, making this particular study of magic a useful defense.

Other uses of Oneirology are considered Dark Arts, however, as they can be used to invade others' dreams, spy upon their subconscious to gain private information, and even create nightmares so powerful that it convinces the body it is drowning or cannot breath. Such aggressor Dreamwalking is illegal in many magical societies as an invasion of privacy.

## Known Academy Professors

* Stardance (NPC, Ethereal Walk, Onierology, and Lunar Evocation specialist)
* Rhine (Yoga, Curative specialist)
* Paws (Spirit Guardian specialist)
* Others, to be discovered