The Aether

The Aether is an ever-present force that originates from the chaotic universe of Aetha. It is an innate source of power for the elym that preside over the land, and can also be harnessed by talented people through the ancient practice of Aethery.

The Arrival of Aether in The Niriad
According to the 5 Shells Theory, the chaotic universe Aetha and the still universe of Nok created three universes (Monar, Ayanun, and Synun) during their endless grapple for balance. The arrival of The Aether in The Niriad is credited to the intrinsic relationship between Monar; the birthplace and home of the elemental elym, and Ayanun; the universe where The Niriad resides.

The elym of Monar were born directly from the Aether. Their existence and politics are extremely complex but at their core, they are the pure energy of Aetha, with far greater ability to control their chaos. This powerful combination meant that many elym took it upon themselves to preside over the lower universes.

Due to the distance between Synun and their home plane, the elementals could not maintain a strong enough hold in Synun. Their influence in Synun's worlds are often not physical or tangible. In Ayanun however, the elym flourished. The universe became a sandbox of creation for the beings of Monar and The Niriad was born as a result of their experimentation. " ...flow and flowed away, the ocean parted for the arrival of the ancient lands that had long been forseen. And sea broke fresh on new shores of soil and stone. And the twins of Aetha watched become what they always knew would be. And in their peace they called it The Niriad. "Aetha created Monar and its elym, and the elym created The Niriad. The presence of the elym in The Niriad, not to mention the practice of creating aethic tethers, has created a channel from the worlds of Ayanun to the universes housed above it. Over time, the influence of the elym and the connection to the higher planes has caused The Aether to permeate through all layers of The Niriad so they are now inseparable from one other.