Aither

I’ve made a few mentions of the mysterious Aither, a Seven Spheres and Knights of Kassandria form of magic that act like Runes (or Aeon Stones), but let’s take a closer look at these strange stones of magic.  We will look at how the Aither may have come to be across the Great Multiverse, and just how these magic stones work if you play Pathfinder 2e, Starfinder, 5e, or Genesys, and of course a story about these stones told from the perspective of a Knight of Kassandria, Diana Athenasia, though most call her Athene.

Aithergy

What is Aithergy? It is the scientific study of Aither, the strange magical stones that appeared in the realm of Helus two years ago.  It is the stones used by the Knights of Kassandria to protect citizens in the battles against the Voidlings and Diafth.  It is a magical freaking rock that only a few really know how they work. 
In the Seven Spheres Setting, very few people know how these actually work, but Aithergists have been working on a theory: Those with the connection to Helus itself (be it born there or lived most of their lives there) can use the Aither crystals, and unlike other forms of magic, you can not simply study or learn from others.  That’s the theory at the moment. 
However, in the Knights of Kassandria setting, the Knights have kept the secret of mastering Aither to themselves for over several hundred years in their war against the Daifth.  They claim the power over the Aither is to protect the system of Alexendras from outside threats, and the Knights also have the largest centers of learning that keeps these secrets. 

One thing is known, each Aither crystal has a specific effect.  Luckily, identifying which one does what is easy: each crystal is a different type of stone: Amethysts have something to do with illusions, Emeralds are healing, Quartz create evocation stones, and so on.  There are sub-types, listed below, that do specific things.  An Aithergist knows how to manipulate the crystals into performing unique abilites, like using an Fire Quartz Aither to create a wall of flames that helps protect against enemies, or using a Shielding Sapphire Aither to bash in an enemy.  You cannot, however, use that same Fire Quarts to make an Ice effect, it just turns into fire. 

Another unique ability of Aither is the crystals aren’t just able to be held, they can be set into a fitting for jewelry or set into weapons and armor.  This provides enhanced abilities associated with the Aither crystals, though usually only one type can be active at a time on a specific weapon or armor.  Studies are still on-going about different materials providing different or unique effects.

Some Aithergists have discovered a way to synergize the effects of Aither with other aithergists or mages.  Synergia, as the study is being called, allows mages who aren’t trained in the use of Aithergy to channel their magic in conjunction with an Aither Crystal, amplifying and combining the effects.  This can lead into potent healing, powerful destructive spells, or greater wards, though no one knows why these effects can occur.

Aither in Genesys

Aithergy in the Genesys Roleplaying Game works similar to their Runes (found in the Realms of Terrinoth sourcebook).  You must have one rank in Aithergy (Intellect) to be able to use an Aither crystal, and have the Aither Crystal on you (in your gear or holding the crystal). 

Aithergy (Willpower)

Aither is molded specifically for a single purpose, each one is represented by a different color and/or crystal name, of which some are composited with.  Aither is set usually into a metallic housing, commonly steel, though other metals can be used such as mythril, lead, orichalcum, and so on.  Doing so can cause amplification of the aenergia’s power (or dampen it).  
Sometimes, aithergists can combine their power into what is known as Synergia.  The aither activates both aenergia at the same time and combine the effects for a short amount of time.  
Very rarely an Aithergists can create synergia with non aithergist, amplifying a mages power or combining the effects of a mages spell.
In Gensys, activating an Aither Crystal is an action if its an offensive type or maneuver if its defensive. Most defensive aither lasts for a short time, usually until the end of the encounter. Further coverage of Aither Crystals is found in the Equipment section.

Synergy and Aither Activation: If an Aithergist combines his power with another Aithergist or spellcaster, the assisting caster uses their maneuver to gather the magical energy in an Assist maneuver.  When the Aithergist activates the Aither Crystal’s effect, the effect is amplified (usually adding 2 to a defensive effect, adding 2 damage, increasing the range by one range, or increasing the duration for 1 longer). 

Aither Crystals

Crystals found throughout the realm of Helus, Aither Crystals grant unique powers that work as spells that typically have a single effect.  You can create these crystals following the item creation rules (GCRB pg 197) or use the Runes (RoT pg 118) as example Aither Crystals.  Most crystals will follow a specific spell, and we recommend that the base difficulty to activate them is <P><P>, with aither crystals having advanced effects increasing the difficulty. 

Abjuration

Crystal: sapphire 
Subtypes: shield, armor, barrier, wall, elemental resistance (choose an element).  We recommend looking at the Barrier Spell table (GCRB pg. 216) for effects.

Alteration

Crystal: opal
Subtypes: change form, enlarge/shrink, alter shape, enhance strength, enhance visual, enhance audio, enhance olfactorial.  These are known as Transmutation crystals and can mimic a Transmutation spell.

Conjuration

Crystal: Amber
Subtypes: creature, weapon, tool, plant
Each Crystal functions just like the conjure spell, summoning a weapon, tool, or creature.  You can use the Conjure (GCRB pg 217) table for effects.

Divination

Crystal: fluorite
Subtypes: sense, detect (aura, aenergy, technology), predict, haste
These crystals allow the user to sense or predict.  You can use the Predict (EPG pg 101) for effects.

Evocation

Crystal: quartz
Subtypes: fire, water, ice, air, poison, stone, thunder
Each Crystal grants a ranged OR melee attack with the following: aither; damage 4 (+3 if melee), critical 3, range medium (or engaged if melee).  Certain crystals may add the blast, breach, burn, or disorient effects.  You can also use the Attack (GCRB pg 215) table for effects.

Here is an example Aither Crystal, a Flame Quartz

Flame Quartz

This Aither Crystal can create flaming effects in a variety of ways, from lighting a torch, creating a gout of fire, to adding fire damage to your sword.
This crystal also grants the usuer to cast the Attack Spell with the Fire quality.
Activation: Until the end of your character’s turn, the Flame Quartz counts as a ranged weapon with the following profile: (Aither; Damage 6; Critical 3; Range [short]; Burn 2)
Implement: When your character casts the Attack spell, they must add the fire and effect with no increase in difficulty.  Attack spells cast by your character increase their base damage by four.
Attachment: This attachment can be applied to any melee or ranged weapon or armor.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Burn 2 item quality.
Hard Points required: 1

Aither in Pathfinder Second Edition

Similar to Genesys, Aithergy has the above listed crystals.  The main difference is, these crystals each mimic a specific spell and can be cast as a Focus Spell. 

There are those who specialize in Aithergy, the Aithergist Archetype (which will premiere in another blog). But what does an Aither crystal look like in Pathfinder Second Edition? As mentioned above, each Crystal mimics an existing spell, and when set into a weapon or armor, can mimic a rune, though it does take an action to activate the Crystal.  Below is an example of the Minor Flame crystal.

As a note on activation, you can only have one effect active from the crystal at a time.  This means you cannot cast Produce Flames while having the Fire Resistance effect activated.

While here we list a single example, your Game Master can easily craft an Aither Crystal using the same rules as creating a Relic (found in the Gamemastery Guide), with this exception:
Aither crystals can have multiple effects that improve damage or cast a spell, depending on where they are placed.

Other Systems

For Dungeons and Dragons, and Starfinder, some custom work will have to go into crafting and balancing the Aither Crystals.  With 5e, you can add the Aither skill under the Intelligence Ability, though for Starfinder you will want to go with Mysticism.  Creating the item follows the same rules as crafting a magic item, more specifically a Wand (5e) or Spell Gem of equivalent level (Starfinder) with the ability to attach to an armor or weapon, which acts like a similar magic item.  We take the same Flame Quartz crystal and apply it to D&D and Starfinder as magic items:

Flame Quartz (Aither Crystal)(5e)

Wonderous Item, Uncommon (requires attunement)
This red quartz set in a ring, necklace, weapon, or armor, becomes engulfed in a magical fire.  You gain the cantrip Produce Flame, and 1/day you can cast Burning Hands. 
If you set this crystal into a weapon or armor, when you activate this crystal your strikes gain 1d4 fire damage.

Flame Quartz (Aither Crystal, Mk 1)

Level 1; Price 200; Bulk —
Description
This Aither Crystal allows the wielder to cast Energy Ray that deals only fire damage.  Additionally, 1/day, the user can cast Overheat. 
If you set this item into a weapon or armor, the weapon or your unarmed strikes gain 1d4 fire damage.

And there you have it, the most basic Aither Crystal, the Flame Quartz, in Genesys, Pathfinder 2e, D&D 5e, and Starfinder.  Why make this particular thing in all these different systems? Because the Aithergy can be used in many systems as magic crystals, or special artifacts across the settings.  They are designed to perform a basic power per crystal, but the frame work is the same, you choose your crystal type, apply the sub-type (in the form of a spell or effect), and give it an option to be equipped for weapons or armor. 

Now lets take a look at Athene using one in a scenario as told by one of her tales. . .

Burning Luck

Athene and Amyl had been on the edge of the outpost for a month now, and found more than a comfortable amount of Daifth.  She figured their base should be a few miles out, but she wanted to clear this building first.  She’d seen them crawling out of here about an hour ago, after their last battle. 
“Put your Armor back on, Amyl, I may not be able to get the shield up in time,” she told her companion.  The witch raised his hands and chanted a few words, and a magical barrier appeared around him. Athene raised her shield, choosing not to activate the Sapphire just yet.  She instead drew the long sword and focused her will upon the quartz set in the hilt. 
The house itself was partially collapsed, only one story so the front room was open to the elements.  A breeze lifted what looked like a cloth in her view.  She stepped over the broken door and scanned the room.  She saw something shift to the southwest as the humanoid figure dashed to the next room. 
Without a thought, she ran towards the movement.  Amyl cursed and followed after her, his robes rustling.  She ran into what was a kitchen, her shield raised.  A good thing too, the corrupted man had launched after her, his face banging against the shield.  She pushed back against the attacker as he fell back to the ground.  Amyl bumped into her and they both staggered to the sides, making room for each other.  At the sight of the creature, Amyl shrieked and fumbled trying to cast a spell.  The creature bound out of sight for a moment, and Athene jumped upon the table.  With a thought, she activates the magic in the quartz, and fire shoots up the blade.  She jumps down, bringing her sword down on the creature. 
The smell of burnt flesh fills the air as it scrambles away, taking a swipe at Amyl.  His robes shielded him, though a tear can be seen in the front of it.  She had to hand it to Amyl, he was fast, as he began gathering the energy in the air.  He then grabbed Athene and nodded at her.
“Ready for Synergy,” he said to her.  She felt the magical aura wash over her, and she focused that energy into her Flame Quartz, the blaze of the sword growing.  The creature was growling at them, dancing on it’s feet as it waited for Athene to strike.  She didn’t lash out with the blade, instead she pointed the tip of the blade at the creature, focusing the energy to blast the creature with fire. 
The creature howls for a moment as it immolates, the smell of burning flesh began to become overwhelming.  The gout of flame halted, as did the creature.  Amyl leaned back for a moment, he looked pale and tired.  Athene checked her crystal, which began dimming.  She checked the Emerald on her bangle, it was glowing strong, and she sensed she had enough energy in it.  She channeled some of the emerald’s power into her hand, giving Amyl some strength back.
“Thank you for that.  Let’s get back to town, that drained the remainder of the power I had in the sword.” She helped Amyl up and they began limping to the door.
“Sorry, Athene.  Didn’t want to let it escape.  Wait shouldn’t we search the rest of the house?”
“No, friend, this was the only one.”
“You sure?” he turned to the back of the house.
“Trust me, the Corrupted was alone,” Athene said, placing a gauntlet hand on Amyl’s shoulder.  “If it had friends, we would be under attack now.  Lets go.”

Half an hour later, she stood in front of the destroyed gate of the village, the local defenders kept their weapons drawn. Amyl and Athene looked at each other with concern.
“What happened?” Athene asked as they approached, holding her Knight of Kassandria emblemed shield up.
Lowering their weapons, they explained the village was attacked by a group of Corrupted and voidlings from the east. They attacked shortly after Athene had left to deal with the lone creature. Concerned, the two adventurers rushed to meet with the local Knight Captain, hopefully with some good news.

As always, thanks for reading these and, with some hope, you use these homebrewed rules for your own tables. Good luck and have fun! And as always, May luck be on your side.
-Alexi Durak