Aether
| Aether | |
|---|---|
| Universe | Cosmere |
Aethers are a manifestation of Investiture in the cosmere.[1] Their source is unknown, but they presumably originate on an unrevealed planet.[2][3] People who use aethers are called aetherbound.[4]
Mechanics
It is not known how aethers work or what abilities that they grant. There are supposedly many types of aether.[5] Only certain people can activate aethers, and physical pieces of aether are not particularly useful to anyone else.[6] Even cosmere scholars such as those in Silverlight do not yet understand how to control them.[7]
Properties
Mraize is confirmed to have at least one piece of an aether in his collection of curios on Roshar.[8][9] Shallan Davar describes several of Mraize's trophies; through the process of elimination, it is likely that the aether is an exceptionally delicate pink crystalline substance, which would make it likely roseite.[10]
History
Because Mraize is a worldhopper,[11] the provenance of his aether is unknown. He owns several items related to Investiture on other planets, such as an Aviar from First of the Sun[12] and white sand from Taldain.[6] Some of these items retain magical properties, but the aether does not.[6] Mem was tasked with removing an unusual stain on Mraize's Azish cavalrylord's suit. She thought it might be a combination of oil and blood and had a great deal of difficulty removing the stain, but eventually cleaned it off without damaging the suit's delicate Mycalin dye. Mraize was surprised by her success and gave her a bonus, mentioning that the stain was "aether". Mem was clearly unfamiliar with the word.[13]
Foil is trying to achieve control over the aethers. Khriss thinks that the discovery of anti-Investiture may disprove some of his theories about them.[7]
Trivia
- Aethers originated in the unpublished novel Aether of Night. Elements of the novel have already been repurposed into other works,[14] and it would be completely rewritten before the world is introduced to the cosmere.[15] Aethers and their home planet are confirmed to exist, but the details have not been canonized.[16][1][2]
- Aethers are the only "major" magic system that has not yet been used extensively in any cosmere work.[1]
- The planet where aethers originate is not central to the overall cosmere arc.[17] Brandon has not decided how many aether novels he will write or where to fit them into the cosmere release timeline. He has considered doing a trilogy towards the end of the cosmere sequence,[18] but he may need to introduce the magic system sooner in a novel or novella since it is relevant to other planets.[19] Aethers claim to not be native to any one world.[20]
- Aethers are expected to be "relevant to space-age cosmere".[5]
Notes
- ↑ a b c YouTube Livestream 14
— Arcanum - 2020-07-30# - ↑ a b General Reddit 2020
— Arcanum - 2020-07-13# - ↑ Oathbringer San Francisco signing
— Arcanum - 2017-11-15# - ↑ The Lost Metal chapter 42#
- ↑ a b Waterstones RoW Release Event
— Arcanum - 2020-11-18# - ↑ a b c Emerald City Comic Con 2018
— Arcanum - 2018-03-01# - ↑ a b Rhythm of War Ars Arcanum#
- ↑ Skyward Houston signing
— Arcanum - 2018-11-19# - ↑ Idaho Falls signing
— Arcanum - 2018-12-29# - ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 43#
- ↑ Orem signing 2014
— Arcanum - 2014-12-06# - ↑ Orem signing
— Arcanum - 2017-12-21# - ↑ Oathbringer interlude I-8#
- ↑ Oathbringer release party
— Arcanum - 2017-11-13# - ↑ State of the Sanderson 2017
— Brandon's website - 2017-12-18# - ↑ General Reddit 2014
— Arcanum - 2014-12-18# - ↑ YouTube Livestream 23
— Arcanum - 2020-12-17# - ↑ State of the Sanderson 2019
— Brandon's website - 2019-12-19# - ↑ Tor Instagram Livestream
— Arcanum - 2020-11-25# - ↑ Mini-Con 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-11-22#