DraKaise

The Ethereal Fluid of the Adventuring Spirit and Madness.

The Very nature of the cosmos, all borders; from the lines of war, to the boundaries of death, are swayed by the tides of DraKaise.
~Farne DeShay, Wizards of the College

The night skies of Ithungsida are a light blue. Alight with the myriad of forms present, hanging high above the mortal realm. The Pantheon can be found there in their diminutive forms, with the Celestial Giants forming the boundaries. Yet, the dull haze of blue is always present. Always there, cast between the stars in an infinite display. The stars that can be seen from any realm and the blue that remains ever-constant.
This is DraKaise. When the gods ascend, their new forms in the heavens above are brilliantly lit with a blue unlike anything found in nature, and unlike anything made except by magic. For they have been infused with the very power of DraKaise and anointed by the Giants. It is said that this acts as a material, a substance that can be gathered given the right tools. Something that directs and powers the very machinations of the heavens, and influences everything on the mortal realms.
Tales of Iwa speak of that ancient land's connection with the tides of DraKaise. Of their knowledge and understanding that allowed them to navigate it's ever-changing tides. To look into the soul of MeyGana, Roar of the Sea and find the direction to sway, so the DraKaise did not tear them asunder. It is not known if this means that DraKaise was more prevalent, or perhaps if mortals were more attuned to it's differences in that ancient time. However, these ancient stories hold many truths to be uncovered as to the nature of the Universe, and this mysterious material; DraKaise.
DraKaise has been known of for countless years, with tales from deep within Iwa's past surfacing through ancient Dwarven Oral Myths and Tales. It is the very spirit of Adventure, the siren's call of Champions, the accumulation of Disaster. And it is a term that most will recognize with ease, as it has latched onto the public consciousness and been internalized into large amounts of culture; from those labeled as DraKaise Stricken in SosIwa to preserve their familial honor, to the eponymous organization; The DraKaise Battalion, who grow and field heroes and adventurers that cross the entire continent of Ithungsida.
However, even with it's steady presence in public consciousness, and it's ease of recognition to those that seek the knowledge; DraKaise is difficult to explain or describe. And truly, it may not have been completely explained until the Wizards of the College dedicated one of their immense towers to unraveling the mysteries of DraKaise. However, that truth is strange beyond measure...

Public Perception

DraKaise is known of by name, if not by the concept itself. However, the fundamentals of the belief ring true to those that have done more research into the Material. Namely in that it effects the majority of Mortal Life, possibly even swaying some of the higher beings. As well as likely being everpresent, or at least, present near disruptions and disturbances.

"DraKaise is the Mortal Tide, taking form in the clashing of peoples and minds.
Where there is war, one can see the hallmarks of DraKaise.
Where adventurers roam; the blue haze is bound to reside."

— Bardic Description of DraKaise

The College Discoveries

And after their in-depth research on the topic; the Wizards of the College would agree with those marks. Even as they study how that remained common knowledge over the years.
They found that DraKaise has a heavy relation to the Ethereal Plane, possibly constituting the majority of the plane itself. This lead to a standardization and understanding of a spell that allows easy transit into the Ethereal Plane itself. The research also offered a glance into the use of DraKaise for Divination purposes; culminating in the spell the Flash of DraKaise.
And, finally, finding that public perception, while not wrong, didn't have the entire story. Yes, DraKaise is associated with many of these things. However, no link could be drawn between this viscuous liquid that makes up the entirety of the Ethereal and those labeled as "DraKaise Stricken", but it is the Essence of the Universe, the potential source of magic, and a barrier between the Mortal realm and that of the gods.

With these discoveries finding the differences between what is true and what can be proved, the thought of DraKaise as a spiritual idea, a grand scapegoat, or the errant dreams of the drugged, must be reconsidered.

Since the creation of the very planes, DraKaise has been the essence that drove adventurers out from their homes and towards the unknown.
DraKaise Flows across the world and centers on those destined for adventure, driving them from their homes in fits of rage, or potentially madness.
~ Farne DeShay, Wizards of the College

D

Type

Metaphysical

Color

Varying shades of Blue.

Common State

Ethereal

Where are these quotes from?

The Wizards of the College is a group of wizards that have dedicated their lives to the study of the strange and explicitly magical natures of the world. They seek out new strange spells and discover new landscapes in the realms beyond that of Arydia.
The Bardic Description was gathered from a bardic troupe that services the Wizards of the College.