Difference between revisions of "Aether"
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== Culture and Mythology == |
== Culture and Mythology == |
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The people of the core |
The people of the core aether planet hold it as a sacred tenet that the aethers predate Adonalsium and are independent of its creations.{{book ref|mb7|42}} 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}} |
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== Aetherbound == |
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{{quote |
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|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. |
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|[[Prasanva]] on the aetherbound{{book ref|mb7|42}}}} |
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Aetherbound are the Invested servants of the primal aethers of the core aether planet. 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 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}} |
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On the Core Aether world, multiple people bond to one singular core Aether.{{wob ref|15429}} |
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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}} 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}} |
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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}} |
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| ⚫ | 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 can 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}} |
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===Roseite=== |
===Roseite=== |
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Roseite can be used to make constructs. On planets without certain fields of investiture, the aetherbound must remain in contact with the constructs; if contact is broken, the constructs crumble to a fine powder, and then vanish. Creating constructs drains water from the aetherbound. An aetherbound must understand an object to create it; creating a gun would require knowledge of its mechanisms. A pen made of roseite requires separate ink.{{book ref|mb7|39}}{{book ref|mb7|42}} |
Roseite can be used to make constructs. On planets without certain fields of investiture, the aetherbound must remain in contact with the constructs; if contact is broken, the constructs crumble to a fine powder, and then vanish. Creating constructs drains water from the aetherbound. An aetherbound must understand an object to create it; creating a gun would require knowledge of its mechanisms. A pen made of roseite requires separate ink.{{book ref|mb7|39}}{{book ref|mb7|42}} |
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==Properties== |
==Properties== |
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[[Mraize]] is confirmed to have at least one piece of an aether in his collection of curios on [[Roshar]].{{wob ref|12395}}{{wob ref|12314}} [[Shallan Davar]] describes several of Mraize's trophies; through the process of elimination, it is likely that the aether is an exceptionally delicate pink crystalline substance, which would make it likely roseite.{{book ref|sa2|43}}{{book ref|mb7|39}} |
[[Mraize]] is confirmed to have at least one piece of an aether in his collection of curios on [[Roshar]].{{wob ref|12395}}{{wob ref|12314}} [[Shallan Davar]] describes several of Mraize's trophies; through the process of elimination, it is likely that the aether is an exceptionally delicate pink crystalline substance, which would make it likely roseite.{{book ref|sa2|43}}{{book ref|mb7|39}}--> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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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}} |
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}} |
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Revision as of 22:07, 20 November 2022
| Aether | |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites | Unknown |
| World of Origin | Unknown |
| Universe | Cosmere |
Aethers are an ancient variety of Invested entities present in the cosmere.[1] They originate on an unrevealed planet where the twelve primal aethers reside, although the aethers have since spread to other worlds of the cosmere.[2] Those who are bonded to one of the twelve primal aethers and are able to manifest that aether are known as aetherbound.[3][4] 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.[4]
Culture and Mythology
The people of the core aether planet hold it as a sacred tenet that the aethers predate Adonalsium and are independent of its creations.[4] Aethers are revered by these people. They believe that aethers made all people, creating them to each think differently from one another.[5] They also believe humans were gifted with rebirth by the aethers to encourage, bless, and uplift their fellow people.[6] Those that follow the aethers also hold that people return to the aethers upon their deaths to reflect upon their choices in life.[7] It is believed that people who have made poor choices are cursed to wait a long time until their next rebirth. [6] They often swear with phrases such as "by the first aether".[1]
Aetherbound
“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. ”
Aetherbound are the Invested servants of the primal aethers of the core aether planet. 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 bonded.[4] Unlike other bonds like between spren and Radiant, each aetherbound is not Connected to their own individual aether.[8] Instead they are all bound to the same primal aether; for instance all roseite aetherbound have a bud from Silajana.[4]
An aetherbound can grow and manipulate that same type of aether from their bodies.[1] They are capable of controlling the size, shape, and behavior of the aethers they produce, within certain constraints.[1] This process requires water drawn from the aetherbound's body to facilitate the growth of the aether.[4] The larger the mass, the more water will be required.[6] 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.[4]
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.[4] 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.[6] They are also always in contact with the primal aether that granted them their bud.[7] The primal aethers are able to speak into the minds of their aetherbound, offering wisdom, encouragement, and knowledge.[5] 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.[9][7]
Little is known about the abilities of non-roseite aetherbound. There are twelve types of primal aether, and presumably twelve corresponding varieties of aetherbound.[6] One must be an aetherbound can produce new aether, so physical pieces of aether are not particularly useful to anyone else.[10] Even cosmere scholars such as those in Silverlight do not yet understand how to control them.[11]
Varieties of Aether
Roseite
Roseite can be used to make constructs. On planets without certain fields of investiture, the aetherbound must remain in contact with the constructs; if contact is broken, the constructs crumble to a fine powder, and then vanish. Creating constructs drains water from the aetherbound. An aetherbound must understand an object to create it; creating a gun would require knowledge of its mechanisms. A pen made of roseite requires separate ink.[1][4]
History
Aethers have been present in the cosmere since at least prior to the Shattering of Adonalsium, and may predate Adonalsium altogether.[4] While they were initially native to a single world, different variants of the aethers have since spread to other planets,[8] and now claim to have no specific planet of origin.[2]
As Mraize is a worldhopper,[12] the provenance of the roseite aether in his collection is unknown, but he is not able to make use of that piece of aether.[10] 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.[13]
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.[11]
In the later stages of the cosmere, the aethers are also useful for space travel.
Known Aetherbound
- Prasanva (Bound to Silajana) - Agent of the Ghostbloods that fled to Scadrial after some sort of extermination on his home world.[4]
Trivia
- Aethers originated in the unpublished novel Aether of Night. Elements of the novel have already been repurposed into other works,[14] and it would be completely rewritten before the world is introduced to the cosmere.[15] Aethers and their home planet are confirmed to exist, but the details have not been canonized.[16][17][18]
- Aethers are the only "major" magic system that has not yet been used extensively in any cosmere work.[17]
- The planet where aethers originate is not central to the overall cosmere arc.[19] 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,[20] but he may need to introduce the magic system sooner in a novel or novella since it is relevant to other planets.[21] Aethers claim to not be native to any one world.[2]
- Aethers are expected to be "relevant to space-age cosmere".[22]
Notes
- ↑ a b c d e The Lost Metal chapter 39#
- ↑ a b c Mini-Con 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-11-22# - ↑ The Lost Metal chapter 40#
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l The Lost Metal chapter 42#
- ↑ a b The Lost Metal epilogue 1#
- ↑ a b c d e The Lost Metal chapter 51#
- ↑ a b c The Lost Metal chapter 47#
- ↑ a b Secret Project #1 Reveal and Livestream
— Arcanum - 2022-03-08# - ↑ The Lost Metal chapter 44#
- ↑ a b Emerald City Comic Con 2018
— Arcanum - 2018-03-01# - ↑ a b Rhythm of War Ars Arcanum#
- ↑ Orem signing 2014
— Arcanum - 2014-12-06# - ↑ Oathbringer interlude I-8#
- ↑ Oathbringer release party
— Arcanum - 2017-11-13# - ↑ State of the Sanderson 2017
— Brandon's website - 2017-12-18# - ↑ General Reddit 2014
— Arcanum - 2014-12-18# - ↑ a b YouTube Livestream 14
— Arcanum - 2020-07-30# - ↑ General Reddit 2020
— Arcanum - 2020-07-13# - ↑ YouTube Livestream 23
— Arcanum - 2020-12-17# - ↑ State of the Sanderson 2019
— Brandon's website - 2019-12-19# - ↑ Tor Instagram Livestream
— Arcanum - 2020-11-25# - ↑ Waterstones RoW Release Event
— Arcanum - 2020-11-18#