Difference between revisions of "Aether"
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'''Aethers''' are a manifestation of [[Investiture]] in the [[cosmere]].{{wob ref|14031}} Their source is unknown, but they presumably originate on an unrevealed planet.{{wob ref|13971}}{{wob ref|8618}} People who use aethers are called '''aetherbound'''. The aethers existed before the [[Shattering]], and consider themselves to predate [[Adonalsium]].{{book ref|mb7|42}}{{wob ref|15878}} |
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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.{{wob ref|15136}} Those who are 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}} |
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== Culture and Mythology == |
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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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==Mechanics== |
==Mechanics== |
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On the Core Aether world, multiple people bond to one singular core Aether.{{wob ref|15429}} |
On the Core Aether world, multiple people bond to one singular core Aether.{{wob ref|15429}} |
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== Types of Aether == |
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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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==History== |
==History== |
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Because Mraize is a [[worldhopper]],{{wob ref|1394}} the provenance of his aether is unknown. He owns several items related to Investiture on other planets, such as an [[Aviar]] from [[First of the Sun]]{{wob ref|8900}} and [[Sand (Taldain)|white sand]] from [[Taldain]].{{wob ref|9288}} Some of these items retain magical properties, but the aether does not.{{wob ref|9288}} [[Mem]] was tasked with removing an unusual 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, mentioning that the stain was "aether". Mem was clearly unfamiliar with the word.{{book ref|sa3|i|8}} |
Because Mraize is a [[worldhopper]],{{wob ref|1394}} the provenance of his aether is unknown. He owns several items related to Investiture on other planets, such as an [[Aviar]] from [[First of the Sun]]{{wob ref|8900}} and [[Sand (Taldain)|white sand]] from [[Taldain]].{{wob ref|9288}} Some of these items retain magical properties, but the aether does not.{{wob ref|9288}} [[Mem]] was tasked with removing an unusual 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, mentioning that the stain was "aether". Mem was clearly unfamiliar with the word.{{book ref|sa3|i|8}} |
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Revision as of 20:27, 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]
Mechanics
It is not known how aethers work or what abilities that they grant, with the exception of Roseite. There are supposedly many types of aether.[8] Only certain people can activate aethers, and physical pieces of aether are not particularly useful to anyone else.[9] Even cosmere scholars such as those in Silverlight do not yet understand how to control them.[10]
On the Core Aether world, multiple people bond to one singular core Aether.[11]
Types 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]
Properties
Mraize is confirmed to have at least one piece of an aether in his collection of curios on Roshar.[12][13] 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.[14][1]
History
Because Mraize is a worldhopper,[15] the provenance of his aether is unknown. He owns several items related to Investiture on other planets, such as an Aviar from First of the Sun[16] and white sand from Taldain.[9] Some of these items retain magical properties, but the aether does not.[9] Mem was tasked with removing an unusual 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, mentioning that the stain was "aether". Mem was clearly unfamiliar with the word.[17]
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.[10]
Known Aetherbound
Trivia
- Aethers originated in the unpublished novel Aether of Night. Elements of the novel have already been repurposed into other works,[18] and it would be completely rewritten before the world is introduced to the cosmere.[19] Aethers and their home planet are confirmed to exist, but the details have not been canonized.[20][21][22]
- Aethers are the only "major" magic system that has not yet been used extensively in any cosmere work.[21]
- The planet where aethers originate is not central to the overall cosmere arc.[23] 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,[24] but he may need to introduce the magic system sooner in a novel or novella since it is relevant to other planets.[25] Aethers claim to not be native to any one world.[2]
- Aethers are expected to be "relevant to space-age cosmere".[8]
Notes
- ↑ a b c d The Lost Metal chapter 39#
- ↑ a b Mini-Con 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-11-22# - ↑ The Lost Metal chapter 40#
- ↑ a b c d The Lost Metal chapter 42#
- ↑ The Lost Metal epilogue 1#
- ↑ a b The Lost Metal chapter 51#
- ↑ The Lost Metal chapter 47#
- ↑ a b Waterstones RoW Release Event
— Arcanum - 2020-11-18# - ↑ a b c Emerald City Comic Con 2018
— Arcanum - 2018-03-01# - ↑ a b Rhythm of War Ars Arcanum#
- ↑ Secret Project #1 Reveal and Livestream
— Arcanum - 2022-03-08# - ↑ Skyward Houston signing
— Arcanum - 2018-11-19# - ↑ Idaho Falls signing
— Arcanum - 2018-12-29# - ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 43#
- ↑ Orem signing 2014
— Arcanum - 2014-12-06# - ↑ Orem signing
— Arcanum - 2017-12-21# - ↑ 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#