Aetherweave

The Aetherweave is the magical force that permeates the Halcyon Domain, and those who can tap into it are known as Aetherweavers. In ancient times, the practice of Aetherweaving was paramount to the realm's construction and prosperity. Now, in the Age of Umbra, it is viewed with deep suspicion—believed by many to be responsible for the wrath of the Veiled Gods and thus The Apostasy itself.

History of Aetherweaving

Before the Age of Umbra, Aetherweaving was celebrated throughout the Halcyon Domain. Grand cities rose through magical construction, enchanted artifacts improved daily life, and Aetherlords stood among the most respected figures in society. The power of the Aetherweave was woven into every aspect of civilization.

God-King Othedias himself was supported by these Aetherlords in his blasphemous schemes. Whatever machinations he enacted to shift the balance of celestial power, they were accomplished through mastery of the Aetherweave. When the gods discovered his treachery, they did not distinguish between the guilty and the innocent practitioners of magic.

Magic in the Age of Umbra

The world is now suffused in dark magic that saturates the wilds, chaotic and corrupting. This tainted Aetherweave is wielded by those who worship the gloom of the new age or have yielded entirely to The Umbra's influence. The corruption of the magical fabric of reality has made all spellcraft suspect.

While rune-marked arms and enchanted relics of the Old World are considered boons by The Age of Umbra/01 Setting/Key Concepts/The Enduring, the superstitious disdain for spellcraft is pervasive within many communities:

• Tales of Aetherweaver hubris are taught as fables to youth, warning them away from magical temptation
• Places that harbor lingering fonts of magic are instinctively shunned and avoided
• Aetherweaving can lead to confrontation or exile if care is not taken in many social circles

Aetherweavers Among the Enduring

Despite the suspicion, Aetherweaving remains a valuable skill for survival. Many Enduring are honed into fierce warriors and Aetherweavers through hardship and necessity by the time they reach adulthood. These practitioners walk a difficult line—their power is needed to fight The Umbra's creatures, but their very existence reminds their neighbors of what brought the gods' wrath.

Some Aetherweavers have learned to practice their craft quietly, disguising their abilities or using them only when absolutely necessary. Others have found acceptance in communities desperate enough to value results over superstition. A few have embraced the suspicion, isolating themselves to study the corrupted magic of the new age.

Visions of Hope

Those who can access the Aetherweave sometimes see visions—glimpses of distant sanctums and uncorrupted fanes that cast aside the clouded skies to preserve light and life. Some visions speak of places where those touched by the Soul Blight might find redemption.

However, the absence of the gods has also opened the cosmic veil to other influences. Oracles and sensitive Aetherweavers report dreams of great alien minds peering into the world, reaching beyond barriers that the Veiled Gods once maintained. Whether these visions are hope or warning—or both—remains unclear.

Roleplaying Considerations

If you play a character who practices Aetherweaving, consider:

• How do you feel about the suspicion directed at magic users?
• Do you hide your abilities, or do you believe the Enduring need to see that magic can be used for good?
• Have you ever had visions through the Aetherweave? What did you see?
• What is your relationship with the Old World artifacts and enchantments that remain?