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Ver. 1.3.1

Ætherium

View the New Era Wiki page on Ætherium for lore information.

Ætherium, or Aetherium, is a substance with innate magical properties. It is used as a long-lasting power source in magical artifacts and other branches of advanced magic, and has been linked to a magical energy boost when consumed by humans.

Usage

Ætherium is used as a fuel source for magic with long-lasting effects, most notably enchantments and alchemy.

In Enchantments

During the enchanting process, the enchanter diffuses fine ætherium dust into the air over the object to be enchanted, charging it with a long-lasting energy reserve of its own.

In Alchemy

The first step in the creation of most potions is to create a simple mixture of ætherium in water. Consuming this directly gives the drinker a slight energy boost, but it can be toxic in high quantities. By adding other ingredients to the mixture, the alchemist modifies the potion's effects.

Grades of Ætherium

There are five commonly-occurring forms of ætherium, each with varying power levels when used to create magical effects. Each alchemical process or enchantment specifies the grade of ætherium required. A magical process (enchantment, alchemy, or artifacting) can't use a lower grade of ætherium than it requires. If you choose to use a higher grade than required, the resulting effects are amplified one factor higher for each higher grade used.

Grade 1: Ætherium Ore

You might come across deposits of ætherium deep underground during travels into ancient ruins. This most impure form is used for only the weakest enchantments. It consists of trace amounts of ætherium dispersed in stone, metal, or other nonmagical materials.

Ætherium ore is measured in kilograms (kg). When used in enchanting, the original nonmagical material remains.

Grade 2: Refined Ætherum

In its pure form, ætherium is very unstable. It appears as a very fine chalk-like white powder, which emits a very faint violet light which is only noticeable in near-total darkness. When disturbed, fine particulates of it will dissipate into the air, emitting wisps of violet smoke before disappearing. Compressing the substance and storing in airtight containers helps prolong its shelf life. This form of ætherium is required for the most common enchantments.

Refined ætherium is measured in grams (g). A skilled alchemist can convert refined ætherium into ætherite or æther crystal by combining it with other materials.

Grade 3: Ætherite

When refined ætherium is combined with a metal under intense heat and pressure, it forms a metallic alloy known as ætherite. Although the magical energy is less concentrated in this form, it can produce much more powerful enchantments. It can also be shaped into any tool, weapon, or other piece of equipment by a blacksmith, and the resulting item will be highly conducive to enchantments of its own.

Grade 4: Æther Crystal

This unstable crystalline substance is formed by the dispersion of refined ætherium into other minerals, usually silicon dioxide (quartz) or glass. This creates a very brittle translucent white crystal that fractures into extremely sharp fragments. Due to its ætherium content, it emits a noticable violet light when seen in darkness. It can be used to create extremely powerful enchantments. It can also be used to craft into other objects, including weapons and equipment. Resulting items have the highest enchantment conductivity of any known material, but are extremely fragile.

Grade 5: Arcanum

The most powerful form of ætherium occurs when ætherite and æther crystal are combined using a mysterious magical process. The result is a dense purple mineral resembling pyrite that emits intense violet light, so bright it can be painful to look at. Samples of true Arcanum are very rare.