Aether
The Aether is the mysterious force behind the magic system in the series The Last Horizon. There are three main ways a person can channel or call on the Aether, through magic, a Combat Art, or Aethertech.
Contents
Magic
Spells
Most magic is done through spells. To cast a spell, a person must chant an incantation. Most spoken incantations start with a syllable, the Spell Primer, that is essentially a call to the Aether[1]. Incantations are not just the simple repetitions of the words of a spell, the words must resonate with Aether, so there must be some level of understanding of the spell by the caster.
Incantations do not need to be audible for the Aether to respond. It is possible to chant to cast a spell in a vacuum, or even casting a spell by tracing Aetheric sigils with your hands(though this method takes more time). There must be some attempt at communication to the Aether, however, as gagging a mage prevents them from casting.
Multiple people casting one spell, especially in perfect unison, improves the strength and capability of the spell.
Some spells leave spell anchors. These are a visible and semi-permanent result of a spell. The result of destroying it causes the spell to break.
Unpredictability
Spells always work as intended if cast correctly, and operate according to its nature and the caster’s intentions. However, with more complex spells or unfamiliar spells, the Aether can respond in unexpected or dangerous ways[2]. For this reason, mages avoid improvising new and unfamiliar spells.
Rituals
Rituals are a complicated form of magic, typically needing multiple people casting a spell and/or taking place in a ritual room/area.
Specialization
A mage’s magic is tied to their definition to the Aether, a single person can only have one definition, as such they can only have one type of magic. The only known exception is Varic Vallenar, who has lived 7 lives, and thus has 7 definitions and 7 different magics[3]. Though it's not common, normal mages can circumvent this limit by finding overlap with their own magic, or using an item.
The sort of magic a mage can use corresponds on how they define themselves to the Aether, the further their spells, actions, and motivations align with their magic, the deeper their reflection and definition is to the Aether[4]. The more a mage advances in skill and power, the more specialized they become. For this reason it's advantageous to be well practiced in a few spells, and why Archmages only have one pinnacle spell, rather than know multiple individual spells[4].
Titles
A mage is anyone who is capable of using magic and specializes in a discipline, regardless of their skill or titles. A wizard is someone uses magic professionally, and is a career path. An Archmage is a title given to a mage, for their specialization in their discipline. Archmages typically have one pinnacle spell in their discipline, however in some cases, a mage will be considered an Archmage after having demonstrated a level of mastery in their discipline or have proven themselves after a particular feat with magic[5] without a pinnacle spell. "Wizard" can still be used to refer to Archmages.
Combat Arts
Aethertech
-Starhammer, The Engineer Ch.35
Aethertech incorporates technology with Aether that allows the technology to bypass physical limits. The appearance of such technology is usually distinct and organic, with the Aether controlling some aspect of the design. Only Aether Technicians, those who have an Technician’s Gift, can create Aethertech.
Gifts
To become an Aether Technician, one must awaken their Technician’s gift, also known as a Guidance by the Karoshan’s. Gifts define a Technician’s specialization in working with Aethertech, and either assigns a type of tech an Aether Technician can work with (for example Mell’s Androids gift) or assigns a more general skill for working with all Aethertech (Shyrax’s Enhancement guidance or Javik’s affinity for repairs). The nature of a Gift does not seem to be controlled, a Technician seemingly cannot choose the nature of their Gift[6]. Rarely, a Technician can awaken two gifts, as in the case of Doctor Cryce.
Racial Differences
Like with magic, there are differences in how some races can make Aethertech.
- Karoshans: For unknown reasons, Karoshans cannot awaken gifts that allow them to create Aethertech from scratch. For Karoshan technicians, their masterpiece must be made from a modification of existing Aethertech.
- Humanity: Humans are known for having the greatest affinity for creating Aethertech. Most of the creators of the Zenith Devices were human.
Masterworks
“Yes! Exactly! Making a real masterwork requires the peak of a Technician’s skill, perfect conditions, and the best materials. Even then, it doesn’t always work. It takes true passion. You have to pour yourself into it. More than science, it’s a lot more like…”
She shot a sidelong glance in my direction.
“It is magic" I said. “It’s a function of the Aether that supersedes natural logic. You always got mad at me when I pointed that out.”[7]
Under the perfect conditions, an Aethertech Technician can create their masterwork, a powerful piece of technology that can bypass several physical limitations. Notable examples of masterworks include Starhammer, Sola’s Worldslayer, and the Divine Titans. Most master Technician only ever create one masterwork, as the conditions to create masterworks are difficult to replicate.[7]
The Zenith Devices
The Zenith Devices are ancient masterwork Aethertech, considered to be the original Aethertech. They were originally believed to no longer exist up until the events occurring in The Last Horizon. There are eight Zenith Devices, the Zenith Starship, the Zenith Colony, the Zenith Blade, the Zenith Chamber, the Zenith Cannon, the Zenith Engine, and the Zenith Processor. For more information, see: Zenith Era.
