Post by The Storyteller on Jan 9, 2015 17:02:39 GMT
Describing an Aetherian is very difficult, as no two are ever exactly alike. They often look different, act different, and possess radically different abilities. However, every one of the Thirdborn possesses these core traits.
-Every Aetherian is mortal. Their bodies are flesh and blood, they require sustenance, they make love and eat and defecate and die just like their human ancestors. They don't age, but they are just as susceptible to violence as humans or elves.
-Aetherians have a very definite human shape (two legs, two arms, a face) but beyond that, they could be separate races. Many have a bestial performance, others look perfeclt human with an unusual pallor eye color.
-Aetherians are often very old, due to being ageless.
-Aetherians reproduce the old fashioned way, but their abilities and appearances are not hereditary. However, the family unit is very important in Aetherian society, and thus most clans are actually close relatives, despite how it may appear to outsiders.
-Aetherians are flesh and blood, but they are still connected to the spirit world. 'Spiritual Neutrality' is the trait that allows them to exist on the surface world without being harassed by angry spirits.
-Aetherians often have unique gifts. Typically, it's as simple as flight or tremendous strength, but some are blessed with more supernatural talents. Some can heal, cast illusions, possess animals, enter the dreams of others, or even visit the Aether.
It must be stressed many Aetherians live very ordinary lives. They often live in houses, have families, and provide for them. They have few interactions with true spirits, so they have no difficulty operating farms and building towns like other mortals.
Unfortunately, Aetherians often fall under the sway of the Undying, who remember the original man-made runes formed when the first Aetherians were bred. Not every Undying has access to these runes, but those who do rarely hesitate in exploiting them. It's also noteworthy that since every breeding ritual required a different rune, not every rune will compel every Aetherian. It's not an uncommon event for Aetherians to be harassed by liches screaming apparent gibberish at them.
Still, where old chains fail, new ones can be forged. An Undying's power is still profound, and many Aetherians are still forced into slave labor. Many are used to build empty cities to the Undying's glory, other serve as footsoldiers in feuds between rivals. However, many thralls still find themselves granted enough freedom to lead 'ordinary' lives.
-Every Aetherian is mortal. Their bodies are flesh and blood, they require sustenance, they make love and eat and defecate and die just like their human ancestors. They don't age, but they are just as susceptible to violence as humans or elves.
-Aetherians have a very definite human shape (two legs, two arms, a face) but beyond that, they could be separate races. Many have a bestial performance, others look perfeclt human with an unusual pallor eye color.
-Aetherians are often very old, due to being ageless.
-Aetherians reproduce the old fashioned way, but their abilities and appearances are not hereditary. However, the family unit is very important in Aetherian society, and thus most clans are actually close relatives, despite how it may appear to outsiders.
-Aetherians are flesh and blood, but they are still connected to the spirit world. 'Spiritual Neutrality' is the trait that allows them to exist on the surface world without being harassed by angry spirits.
-Aetherians often have unique gifts. Typically, it's as simple as flight or tremendous strength, but some are blessed with more supernatural talents. Some can heal, cast illusions, possess animals, enter the dreams of others, or even visit the Aether.
It must be stressed many Aetherians live very ordinary lives. They often live in houses, have families, and provide for them. They have few interactions with true spirits, so they have no difficulty operating farms and building towns like other mortals.
Unfortunately, Aetherians often fall under the sway of the Undying, who remember the original man-made runes formed when the first Aetherians were bred. Not every Undying has access to these runes, but those who do rarely hesitate in exploiting them. It's also noteworthy that since every breeding ritual required a different rune, not every rune will compel every Aetherian. It's not an uncommon event for Aetherians to be harassed by liches screaming apparent gibberish at them.
Still, where old chains fail, new ones can be forged. An Undying's power is still profound, and many Aetherians are still forced into slave labor. Many are used to build empty cities to the Undying's glory, other serve as footsoldiers in feuds between rivals. However, many thralls still find themselves granted enough freedom to lead 'ordinary' lives.