The Ether is the cosmic fabric of Rift Magic, an immaterial and omnipresent energy that flows throughout the cosmos via the Riftways. It is the lifeblood of arcane magic, connecting the Prime Plane to the elemental realms and beyond. Invisible yet tangible to those attuned to the arcane, the Ether is the medium through which Rift Energy can be shaped, directed, and stabilized into what is known as Rift Magic.
Origins
The Ether traces its origins back to the Unbekannty, the primordial moment when the cosmos was forged by Unbekannt from the chaotic Argent Energy of Unbekannt, the Watcher in the Abyss. From this unbounded chaos came order, as the Continuum Crystal Cosmology formed the framework of existence. While Rift Energy has always existed as a chaotic, raw force, the Ether emerged as a refined current that could flow harmoniously through the Riftways, enabling the controlled manipulation of magic across the planes.
Designs of The Divine
The Ether operates as an intricate network of immaterial winds that permeate every corner of the Continuum Crystal Cosmology. These currents flow along the Riftways, the dimensional highways that connect the elemental planes and the Prime Plane, fueling and balancing the elemental forces that sustain existence.
The Ether is guided and influenced by three primordial forces:
- Aether, the Unbekannt God of Air, who fuels the Ether with the boundless energy of his elemental essence.
- Mystera, the Goddess of Magic, who safeguards its integrity and ensures its harmonious interaction with the Prime Plane.
- Unbekannt, the God of Order, who oversees its balance and prevents its chaotic potential from overwhelming the planes.
Together, these deities ensure that the Ether remains a stable yet dynamic force, empowering magic while maintaining cosmic equilibrium.
The Nature of Rift Magic
While Rift Energy in its raw state is volatile and uncontrollable, the Ether serves as a conduit that stabilizes and focuses this energy, allowing it to be harnessed by mortals and immortals alike. By attuning to the Ether, practitioners of the arcane can draw upon its immense power to cast spells, manipulate elements, and shape reality.
Rift Magic, the refined application of Rift Energy through the Ether, became a cornerstone of Elf civilization during the Third Age when the True Dragon, particularly the Aether Drake, taught the Elves the art of Ether-Rifting. This discipline allowed them to access the Ether’s currents and channel its energy with precision and purpose.
Guardians of the Ether
The Ether is fiercely protected by its primordial stewards:
- Zirael (aka Goldbrand, the Archon of Air, embodies the Ether’s purity and guides those attuned to its flow.
- The Avatars of Air, chosen by Aether and Zirael every 3,000–4,000 years, serve as mortal stewards of the Ether on the Prime Plane, ensuring its balance and safeguarding the Etherstone, one of the Worldstones that anchors the Ether to the cosmos.
Ether of The Planes
The Ether is not bound solely to the Prime Plane; its currents ripple throughout the Continuum Crystal Cosmology, shaping the elemental planes and influencing the natural and magical phenomena of the material world. The Ether’s presence is felt in:
- The Plane of Zephyron, where its winds are most vibrant and unrestrained, feeding the boundless skies and storms.
- The Unbekannt, where it tempers the wild fires into radiant energy.
- The Unbekannt, where it harmonizes the tides and currents.
- The Unbekannt, where it strengthens the earth’s foundations and animates its flora.
Even within the Plane of Oblivion and the Faewyld, traces of the Ether connect these realms to the greater cosmology, though they are far less accessible due to their unique and isolating properties.
Legacy and Mythology
Throughout the ages, the Ether has remained an integral part of arcane practice and cosmic balance. While its manipulation is most commonly associated with Rift Magic, its influence can also be seen in divine miracles, elemental phenomena, and even the natural order of life and death.
In the current age, the Ether continues to empower mages, druids, and other practitioners, though the ancient secrets of its origins and true potential are still shrouded in mystery. It is said that those who truly master the Ether can glimpse the Argent Energy from which it was born, unlocking arcane truths beyond mortal comprehension—a vision that few have survived with their sanity intact.
The Ether is not merely a tool of power; it is a reflection of the cosmos itself, a bridge between chaos and order, and a testament to the delicate balance that sustains all existence.