Aether is a mysterious and wonderous force that permeates our world. Many myths and legends have been made since ancient times about Aether. In this paper I will shed some light on this hearsay and gossip, and enlighten you new students of my academy.

Aether, it has no form. It cannot be touched, and yet it touches everything. It cannot be handled by any besides those who can find the willpower to do so. Those inherently blessed by the Aether and able to freely use it are given a title.

Aethlings.

Aethlings are extremely rare entities. They can be people, animals, places, phenomenom, even objects.

There seems to be no limit on what can become an Aethling. When a non-sentient or inanimate entity becomes blessed by the Aether they recieve will and emotion. Nothing is born an Aethling as far as we know, and we have no idea what kind of criteria is needed to become one either.

Once something becomes an Aethling they are connected intimately with the Aether. Through this connection the Aethling can express their will onto the world around them. Changing reality as they see fit.

Thankfully there are limits.

First, the expression always falls into one of the four base elements of the world. Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Every Aethling can only ever use a single one of these elements.

They are also limited by their imagination. If a Earth Aethling thought that plants were not within the sphere of earth then they would be unable to express change in the form of, or on the form of plants.

The natural limits of their element also limit them. A fire Aethling would be practically helpless if trapped underwater.

Lastly is how much Aether their will is capable of altering. This is where emotion really comes into play. An angry air Aethling once managed to bring down an rain of lightning over an entire country. This is a feat far beyond their normal capacity.

Willpower and emotion are the tools a Aethling use to handle Aether and affect reality.

We who are not lucky enough to recieve the blessing of the Aether are not without avenues of our own however. Through mastery of your mind, from mystic mantras and ancient meditation exercises, you can bolster your own willpower to effect the Aether around you. This is not easy. One needs to already have an iron will before they can take the training. Few are so blessed.

We are limited. Far more so than Aethlings, but we also have more freedom in some areas then them. We can use any element we choose. We can act in groups and while our emotions are less explosive than that of the Aethlings we can also use the Aether without emotion. Aethlings are so rare the thought of a group of them is as laughable as it is terrifying, and the effects of their emotions on their expressions of will are extreme. They can be ovewhelmed by their own power, or unable to do anything at all when caught in a depression or shock.

But, we are limited. As I mentioned before. We are far weaker in the Aethlings element of choice than they are. Never, ever try to face a Water Aethling with water magic. Dam them with earth or shock them with lightning. Because if you go head to head with an Aethling you will soon be missing your head altogether.

This is not a joke.

There are two main schools of magic users.

The specialist magi, and the generalist wizard.

A magi will limit themselves. Often selecting a single element to use exclusively, and even focusing on a single aspect of that element. An example of a classic magi is a plant growth aspect of the earth element magi. The harsher the limits the more they can do inside those limits.

Wizards are far superior. We can do it all. The only limit is our willpower. Those with weak minds often choose to become magi. Content to be a simple drone doing a single task monotonously for the rest of their life. We wizards are not so limited.

It can take a team of magi working together to construct a simple earthen bulwark. One to shape the earth, one to compress it. And that is for a simple hump in the ground. Don't get me started on a true stone fortification.

A single wizard can raise a wall of stone, dig a moat, fill it with water, and make a bridge. Then when there are enemies about the wizard will cut them down with fireballs, earth spikes, ice slicks, and lightning bolts. Of course that is a master wizard. Average ones can be a little less useful. But they make up for their lacking firepower with great utility.

Naturally, neither magi nor wizard can truly compete with a Aethling. As such any Aethling will find itself coveted and courted by all the powers that be. Few indeed are foolish enough to risk the wrath of one through blackmail and hostages. This has still happened very occasionally. The twisted remains of the fools who tried are plenty warning enough for the rest.

Because they are able to shape the world around them as they please keeping an Aethling on a leash is a fools dream. The people who become Aethlings are more than capable of simply wandering off when they get bored. Sometimes a child Aethling gets kipnapped and brainwashed. These poor wretches are never as powerful as free Aethlings as the mental conditioning has stripped them of their imagination and mental depth.

Some consider the trade worth it for a pet Aethling, but the wonders a free Aethling can work defy belief. I once saw the Spire of Juum. A spike of crystal clear ice towering above a scorching desert. It has sat there, defiant in the face of reality, for centuries.

Then there are the inhuman Aethlings. If the humanoid Aethlings are the heros in the old stories then these are the monsters. Lizards that breath flame. Talking lions that bury their prey in desert tombs. Swords that kill their wielders and roam battle fields slicing apart all who approach. Cursed forests where none venture. Storms that never cease. Hats that drive men mad. Mushrooms that burn down kingdoms. Butter knives that talk. Buildings that wander off. Mountains that slap miners like we slap biting flies.

The stories continue. They can be lighthearted tales or hushed horror stories. But they are all Aethlings. Some of the most well known Aethling have lived for hundreds if not thousands of years.

The Forest of Tyne and the Storm of Hazkesh are prime examples.

The Forest of Tyne is a deep dark wood. All who enter and cause harm to it are either buried beneath its roots, hung from its branches, or poisoned by the pollen of its flowers. It has slowly been growing for a very long time. No one knows when it became an Aethling but if the inexorable spread of its shade isn't stopped it may very well consume the entire continent. Elves are thought to call it home, but personally I doubt the Forest would tolerate their presence.

The Storm of Hazkesh is a former sandstorm for the great deserts of the south. It has roamed the world for hundreds of years. It will occasionally sweep over a city. All that is left behind are bloodstained streets and madmen. They refuse to eat and drink and pass away shortly after. Everyone of them whispering about laughter and knives. Most have already deafened or blinded themselves before they were found.

So in conclusion, what is the Aether?

We don't know.

How do Aethlings get chosen?

We don't know.

How do us unblessed use the Aether?

Through ancient mantras and meditation techniques found in ruins.

How do they allow us to make use of the Aether?

We think it is through the growth of willpower. We don't know for sure.

Ah, I had nearly forgotten. It is not just us wizards and the magi who make use of ancient knowledge to interact with the Aether. Some brutes use the techniques to allow their will to strengthen their blows, and harness the elements to add fire or lightning to their swords and fists.

Occasionally one will pop up who is freakishly strongwilled. These monstrous bruisers can shrug off cannon fire and punch through city walls. They are titled Champions and are not to be underestimated. Many is the wizard who thought they could stop such a foe with a fireball to the face only to find themselves staring at their own guts when all is said and done.

Will and emotion are the levers that move the Aether. With a strong enough will one can move mountains. With pure enough emotion one can outshine the sun.

Do not be lazy. Pursue power with all your heart and soul and you will find it.

And do not piss off an Aethling!

Headmaster Stermantus Branck