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The æther (pronounced: EE-thah), known by Scion as the Source, is the spirit world, accessible by clairvoyants. The adjective given to things relating to the æther is ethereal, such as the ethereal threshold and ethereal batteries.[1]

Description[]

The æther was originally set apart from the physical world, but it now flows through and around it. The spirits of the dead exist in the æther, but they can also be used and contacted by clairvoyant humans on Earth. Warden describes how the Rephaim once lived purely on æther, but lost the ability after the Waning of the Veils. Julian describes the æther as something that exists "alongside meatspace, around humans but not outside of them."[2] To Paige, the æther appears as a silent void, studded with star-like orbs, with each orb being a dreamscape."[3] Paige says the æther is "perfect" because there's no war or death, just silence and safety. Warden replies to this that nothing is safe in the æther, and even the æther is not exempt from war and death. David says that looking at ectoplasm is looking at the æther, and drinking ectoplasm results in the person becoming the æther.[4] Jaxon describes the æther as "the infinite. We come from it, we live within it, and when we die, we pass back into it. But not all of use are willing to part ways with the physical world. It is a higher plane of existence and exists alongside the corporeal plane"[5]

Most clairvoyants see themselves as invading æther, but Paige sees it as the æther invading her. This is most likely a result of traumatic poltergeist attack when she was a child. Children are vulnerable to sudden changes in their clairvoyance. If they are exposed to the æther before their aura has properly developed it can become unstable.

Scion's scientists have been working on hybrid technology using Rephaite and human expertise since the early twentieth century. One of these pieces of technology are ethereal batteries. They were pioneered in 2045. In ethereal batteries, the chemical energy is replaced with a willing, captive poltergeist. The battery creates a field of repulsion. Paige first comes across ethereal batteries in Port Meadow in Sheol I where they are used to charge the fence around the field.

Outer Darkness[]

The outer darkness is technically part of the æther, but is often considered a separate realm. The phrase is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. It is a distance reach of the æther, very close to the last light, where spirits can no longer be reached by voyants. Spirits that travel to the outer darkness may be able to return, but it is thought to take a great deal of energy to call them back.

Spirits can be sent to the outer darkness with the threnody, a series of words uttered after death. It is often considered a mercy, as the spirit will no longer be tormented, but it may also be performed against the spirit's will.[1]

Last Light[]

The last light is a gateway at the farthest reach of the æther, just beyond the outer darkness. It is generally agreed that it leads to a final death from which there is no return. As nobody has every come back from the last light, next to nothing is known about it.[1]

Etymology[]

The word comes from the Greek αἰθήρ, referring to the essence breathed by the gods. In Greek mythology, æther (αἰθήρ, meaning "clear sky") was what the gods breathed, like mortals breath air. Aristotle considered it to be the fifth element.[6]

References[]

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