Editing Aether

{{magic
|type=''Unknown''
|world=Dhatri
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Mistborn Era 2]], [[The Stormlight Archive]], [[Tress of the Emerald Sea]]
}}
{{update|mb7|tress}}
<!--Note that the draft version of Aether of Night is not canon, so this article only covers the mention/appearance of aether in The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn Era 2, Tress the Emerald Sea, and associated WoBs-->
{{quote
|It's called an aether. An ancient entity predating the creation of your world. TwinSoul can grow it, manipulate it. Would you like to know more?
|[[Wan ShaiLu|Moonlight]] to [[Marasi]]{{book ref|mb7|39}}
}}

Aethers are an ancient variety of [[Investiture|Invested]] entities present in the [[cosmere]].{{book ref|mb7|39}} They originate on an unrevealed planet where the twelve primal aethers reside, although the aethers have since spread to other worlds of the cosmere.{{book ref|tlm|51}}{{wob ref|15136}}  Those who are [[Luhel bond|bonded]] to one of the twelve primal aethers and are able to manifest that aether are known as '''aetherbound'''.{{book ref|mb7|40}}{{book ref|mb7|42}} Aethers have existed since prior to the Shattering of Adonalsium, and some believe that they predate Adonalsium itself or are totally independent from its creations.{{book ref|mb7|42}}{{wob ref|15933}}

All forms of aether seem to be killed by silver and salt, turning grey and losing their reactivity when they touch it.{{book ref|tress|1}}{{book ref|tress|10}} The substance they produce upon expanding also grows grey and dies when coming into contact with silver.{{book ref|tress|11}} 

On [[Lumar]] the associated substance can continue growing if more moisture is added,{{book ref|tress|26}} until it maxes out.{{book ref|tress|37}} It is unknown if that property applies to aetherbound manifested substances. While growing in such a manner, a sprouter is able to shape it by using [[Iron]] to pull the material closer, and [[Steel]] to push it away.{{book ref|tress|26}}

== Culture and Mythology ==
{{quote
|Silajana demands that I warn you, you have been given this rebirth to bless, encourage, and uplift those around you. By your actions here, you prove this gift wasted. If you are destroyed today by resisting my defense of these innocents, you reject your great blessing—and may not be given rebirth again for many, many centuries. Lay down your weapons and let us pass, or suffer my wrath.
|[[Prasanva]] to the members of the [[Set]]{{book ref|tlm|51}}
}}
The people of the planet with primal aethers hold it as a sacred tenet that the aethers predate Adonalsium and are independent of its creations.{{book ref|mb7|42}} The aethers themselves believe collectively they are the equals of Adonalsium.{{wob ref|15989}}  

Aethers are revered by these people. They believe that aethers made all people, creating them to each think differently from one another.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|1}} They also believe humans were gifted with rebirth by the aethers to encourage, bless, and uplift their fellow people.{{book ref|mb7|51}} Those that follow the aethers also hold that people return to the aethers upon their deaths to reflect upon their choices in life.{{book ref|mb7|47}} It is believed that people who have made poor choices are cursed to wait a long time until their next rebirth.{{book ref|mb7|51}} They often swear with phrases such as "by the first aether".{{book ref|mb7|39}}

On [[Lumar]], it is a practice to use cannonballs filled with water, in order to cause further damage to enemy ships through the violent expansion of the associated substance.{{book ref|tress|10}}

== Primal Aethers ==
{{sidequote
|Both less and more than a god. Silajana is one of the primal aethers. They predate Adonalsium, you know, and exist outside of his power.
|Prasanva to Marasi{{book ref|mb7|42}}
|side=right|size=250px
}}

The '''primal aethers''' are a group of twelve sapient aethers that exist on [[Dhatri]].{{book ref|mb7|51}} They are revered on that planet and grant mortal servants a bud of their core, making them into aetherbound. Only one of these primal aethers is known, this being [[Silajana]], the roseite primal aether.{{book ref|mb7|42}}

[[Suna]] and [[Vishwadhar]] may be two other primal aethers, they are referenced along with Silajana by TwinSoul.{{book ref|mb7|51}}

They are known to be ancient and very powerful, not comparable to [[Shards]], but still beyond the strength of most non-shard entities in the cosmere.{{wob ref|15226}} Though they personally believe themselves to be equals in strength to Adonalsium itself.{{wob ref|15989}}

=== Silajana ===
'''[[Silajana]]''' is the roseite primal aether, bonded to [[Prasanva]] among others.{{book ref|mb7|42}} Little is known of Silajana, although he was supportive of the [[Ghostbloods]] and their work done on Scadrial countering [[Trell]].{{book ref|mb7|40}} He has sent Prasanva into exile, away from Dhatri, and would not allow him to return and risk another extermination.{{book ref|mb7|42}} Prasanva's mission on to Scadrial was to gather allies and resources.{{book ref|mb7|47}}

== Aetherbound ==
{{quote
|This bud connects me to Silajana and through him to all of his other aetherbound.  He is the core, and we his web.  He is eternal, and we his mortal agents in the cosmere.
|Prasanva on the aetherbound{{book ref|mb7|42}}}}

'''Aetherbound''' are the Invested servants of the primal aethers. They are Connected to one of the twelve aethers and granted a bud of that aether’s core. The bud at least sometimes appears as a physical change to the body of the person that corresponds with the aether they have [[Luhel bond|bonded]].{{book ref|mb7|42}} Unlike other bonds like between spren and Radiant, each aetherbound is not Connected to their own individual aether.{{wob ref|15429}} Instead they are all bound to the same primal aether; for instance all roseite aetherbound have a bud from Silajana.{{book ref|mb7|42}}

An aetherbound can grow and manipulate that same type of aether from their bodies.{{book ref|mb7|39}} They are capable of controlling the size, shape, and behavior of the aethers they produce, within certain constraints.{{book ref|mb7|39}} This process requires water drawn from the aetherbound's body to facilitate the growth of the aether.{{book ref|mb7|42}} The larger the mass, the more water will be required.{{book ref|mb7|51}} This seems to be connected to the manner in which aether spores violently expand upon interaction with water.{{book ref|tress|1}}{{book ref|tress|10}} The effects of dehydration caused by aethers can be quickly reversed if the aetherbound drinks more water.{{book ref|tress|31}}

The manipulation of aethers by the aetherbound is mostly constrained by the size of the aether and their ability to visualize clearly what they want to produce. It takes skill and talent to produce complex mechanisms, such as producing a functional gun out of roseite.{{book ref|mb7|42}}

When an aether is manifested in the Physical Realm, it can only persist if it is present in certain fields of Investiture. If these fields are not present, the aether will be dependent on physical contact with the aetherbound’s body to sustain itself. Without that contact, the aether will degrade and eventually vanish. More localized external sources of Investiture can also be set up for the aether to feed upon instead, which will allow the aether to persist without physical contact with an aetherbound.{{book ref|mb7|42}}  Rather than relying on water for fuel, pure Investiture can be substituted for water, allowing an aetherbound to perform more dramatic feats than would be normally possible.{{book ref|mb7|51}} They are also always in contact with the primal aether that granted them their bud.{{book ref|mb7|47}} The primal aethers are able to speak into the minds of their aetherbound, offering wisdom, encouragement, and knowledge.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|1}} Additionally, the primal aether may be able to perceive areas where their aether is present. For instance a roseite aetherbound might grow their aether over a wall and the primal aether could describe to them what is present on the other side.{{book ref|mb7|44}}{{book ref|mb7|47}}

Little is known about the abilities of non-roseite aetherbound. There are twelve types of primal aether, and presumably twelve corresponding varieties of aetherbound.{{book ref|mb7|51}} One must be an aetherbound to produce new aether, so physical pieces of aether are not particularly useful to anyone else.{{wob ref|9288}} Even cosmere scholars such as those in [[Silverlight]] do not yet understand how to control them.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}

== Varieties of Aether ==
=== Roseite ===
The roseite aether manifests as pink-red crystals, similar to rose quartz. Generally the crystals have smooth surfaces that are occasionally marred by small pits.{{book ref|mb7|39}} Aetherbound that are bonded to Silajana, the source of the roseite aether possess a bud that replaces a portion of the skin and muscle on the palm of their hand with roseite, leaving the bones of their hand visible underneath the roseite.{{book ref|mb7|42}} When roseite aether is no longer being maintained by an aetherbound, it collapses into a fine rose-colored dust or powder,{{book ref|mb7|39}}{{book ref|mb7|47}} which eventually sublimates to a rose-colored mist.{{book ref|mb7|44}} Aetherbound that are able to control roseite have fine control over a number of its attributes, including its general coloration and clarity.{{book ref|mb7|39}}{{book ref|mb7|47}} They have not been shown to be able to make roseite of any color, but they can control the shade of the roseite, choosing whether it appears more red or pink{{book ref|mb7|39}} and whether it is transparent or opaque.

Roseite is a useful material for a number of purposes.  Roseite is a strong material, resistant to gunfire, although bullets will chip the roseite when they impact it.{{book ref|mb7|51}} It is useful to create items or tools that rely on the strength or structure provided by the crystal. Simple tools like creating a fountain pen nib on the aetherbound's index finger, a small knife, a pointer, or a water glass can easier be created,{{book ref|mb7|39}} as well as weapons like a mace{{book ref|mb7|51}} and other small structures such as chairs{{book ref|mb7|39}} and ladders.{{book ref|mb7|45}} As with all aethers, its maximum potential utility is directly related to the creativity, skill, and understanding of the person manifesting the roseite.{{book ref|mb7|42}}  A knowledgeable person can turn a map into a model of a city made of roseite,{{book ref|mb7|39}} or create a functional roseite gun if they can visualize the mechanisms.{{book ref|mb7|42}} Elderly aetherbound or those who have difficulty standing can use the aether to help with their stability, growing lines of aether along the edges of their joints and limbs for support. Roseite can also be grown to form a useful pair of spectacles, including with larger external magnifying lenses.{{book ref|mb7|39}} Advanced uses of roseite include a juggernaut, a large exoskeleton of roseite that protects the aetherbound within the body and is incredibly difficult to bring down, even with gunfire. The body of the juggernaut is still comprised of firm crystal, but it is created with joints that allow it to move. Roseite can also form larger machines, such as an elevator if need be. These latter two examples may require so much aether that they need purified Investiture or some other source of power in order to be created or controlled for long.{{book ref|mb7|51}}

=== Zephyr ===
The zephyr aether can be used as emergency propellent during space travel.{{book ref|tsm|20}}{{wob ref|16128}}

=== Spores ===
{{for|Aether spores}}
Aether spores are found on the planet [[Lumar]], where they rain down in [[lunagree]]s from the twelve moons, forming seas on the planet.{{book ref|tress|1}}

=== Dark aether ===
{{quote
|[My] homeland is inhospitable to my kind for now. I joined Lord Kelsier for the opportunity to gain allies and resources for my eventual fight against the dark aether. 
|Prasanva on the dark aether{{book ref|mb7|47}}
}}

The dark aether is some sort of threat present on Dhatri. It may have made the planet inhospitable for roseite aetherbound or any aetherbound.{{book ref|mb7|47}} It may be related to the forces present in the aetherbound Prasanva's homeland and some sort of extermination.{{book ref|mb7|42}} Prasanva has gone offworld in search of other allies to bring back to help fight this dark aether.{{book ref|mb7|47}}

== Lumar aethers ==
Aethers on Lumar are an especially parasitic strain focused on self-propagation through compressed [[aether spores]].{{book ref|tress|28}}{{book ref|tress|31}} Compared to normal aethers, these bond with their hosts far more aggressively.{{wob ref|16254}}

They are especially unstable, with the smallest hint of water (or blood){{book ref|tress|12}} leading to uncontrolled expansion as it pulls Investiture from the Spiritual Realm,{{book ref|tress|28}} this expansion is very rapid, comparable to lightning.{{book ref|tress|10}} Despite expanding even more when put into contact with more water, they do have a maximum extent to which they are able to grow. When they reach this maximum growth potential, they stop reacting with water and (in the case of Verdant Aether) can be safely eaten.{{book ref|tress|37}} The direction of this expansion can be changed by various factors, such as the cognitive phenomena surrounding it, shaped by thoughts and commands.{{book ref|tress|44}} It is also pushed away by steel and attracted by iron.{{book ref|tress|26}}

There are "overgrown" aethers known as '''prime aethers''' that live on Lumar's twelve moons. The prime aethers propagate themselves by creating their spores and sending them down to Lumar. Although the moons do not have water, the prime aethers still need it to survive, so they choose people on Lumar as "[[spore eater]]s". These people host a manifestation of the aether within their bodies; the prime aethers progressively drain water from them, eventually leading to death.{{book ref|tress|28}} Spore eaters are protected by the aether that they are made to gestate, which actively tries to prevent the death of its host.{{book ref|tress|28}}{{book ref|tress|27}} The method through which the water is transferred to the respective prime aether is not known.{{book ref|tress|28}}

The prime midnight aether on Lumar may be named '''[[Thanasmia]]''',{{book ref|tress|5}} but this name has not been confirmed.

==History==
Aethers have been present in the cosmere since at least prior to the Shattering of Adonalsium, and may predate Adonalsium altogether.{{book ref|mb7|42}} While they were initially native to a single world, different variants of the aethers have since spread to other planets,{{wob ref|15429}} and now claim to have no specific planet of origin.{{wob ref|15136}} At some point a conflict with the dark aether began on the planet of the primal aethers,{{book ref|mb7|47}} which was too difficult to be defeated by Prasanva and may have led to his exile.{{book ref|mb7|42}}

At some point Mraize may have visited a world containing aethers, as he has a piece of roseite in his collection.{{wob ref|12395}}{{book ref|sa2|43}} As Mraize is a [[worldhopper]],{{wob ref|1394}} the provenance of the roseite aether  in his collection is unknown, but he is not able to make use of that piece of aether.{{wob ref|9288}} Later his laundress [[Mem]] was tasked with removing an aether stain on Mraize's [[Azish]] cavalrylord's suit. She thought it might be a combination of oil and blood and had a great deal of difficulty removing the stain, but eventually cleaned it off without damaging the suit's delicate [[Mycalin]] dye. Mraize was surprised by her success and gave her a bonus.{{book ref|sa3|i|8}}

[[Foil]] is trying to achieve control over the aethers. [[Khriss]] thinks that the discovery of [[anti-Investiture]] may disprove some of his theories about them.{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}}

The aethers are also relevant to the cosmere space age.{{wob ref|14429}}

==Known Aetherbound==
{{for|:Category:Aetherbound}}
* [[Prasanva]] (Bound to [[Silajana]]) - Agent of the Ghostbloods that fled to Scadrial after some sort of extermination on his home world.{{book ref|mb7|42}}

==Trivia==
* Aethers originated in the unpublished novel ''[[Aether of Night]]''. Elements of the novel have already been repurposed into other works,{{wob ref|8206}} and it would be completely rewritten before the world is introduced to the cosmere.{{sots ref|2017}}
* The planet where aethers originate is not central to the overall cosmere arc.{{wob ref|14520}} Brandon has not decided how many aether novels he will write or where to fit them into the cosmere release timeline. He has considered doing a trilogy towards the end of the cosmere sequence.{{sots ref|2019}}
* They are going to be relevant to Space-Age Cosmere.{{wob ref|14429}}{{wob ref|14457}}
* Aethers could develop symbiotic relationships with animals similar to the ones [[spren]] on [[Roshar]] develop.{{wob ref|16247}}

== Notes ==
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