Aetherium

Aetherium (also known as Etherglass) is a crystalline ore found in deep caverns near ancient ley lines or places where the fabric of reality is particularly thin. It naturally absorbs and amplifies ambient magic, making it extremely valuable to both spellcasters and engineers alike. Aetherium is prized not only for its ability to enhance magical capabilities but also for its unique property of being compressed to achieve even greater results. When refined and compressed, the condensed magical energy becomes exponentially more powerful.

Properties

Material Characteristics

In its raw form, Aetherium appears as jagged, deep blue crystals with shifting, iridescent veins of violet and silver running through them. The veins seem to pulse softly, as though the ore is alive, radiating an ethereal glow. The crystal is cool to the touch and hums with latent arcane power. When struck by light, the reflections form strange, otherworldly patterns.
In its refined form, Aetherium becomes a perfectly smooth, glossy material, almost like polished glass, with a deeper, more intense glow. Compressed Aetherium, however, glows brighter, and the once deep blue hue turns into a vibrant purple, shimmering with unstable energy. This condensed form is much smaller but contains far more magical energy.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Spellcasting foci made from Aetherium allow the caster to channel more potent spells, reduce casting times, or even empower lower-level spells into higher tiers.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Permanent enchantments like magical barriers or warding spells last far longer if Aetherium is incorporated into the design. The great wall on the edges of the Mystara territory use Aetherium-imbued sigils and bricks to reinforce their magical defenses against magical anomalies.

Manufacturing & Products

• Armor and Weapons: Armor infused with Aetherium can grant additional spell slots, or allow the wearer to absorb spells and redirect magical energy. Weapons can be enhanced to deal additional elemental damage (fire, lightning, cold) based on how the Aetherium is attuned.
• Mechanical constructs and automata: Aetherium cores give life to otherwise inert machines, allowing for precision movements, advanced tasks, and even magical abilities like flight or invisibility.
• Jewelry or Clothing: Grant the wearer increased mana regeneration, quicker spell recovery, or resistance to magical effects. Some elite mages have Aetherium rings or amulets to draw raw magical energy from their surroundings, powering their spells.
• Ground Aetherium powder: A rare ingredient in elixirs of spell empowerment, granting temporary boosts to spellcasting power. It is also used to brew potions that can accelerate healing by amplifying restorative magic or protect against magical damage by reinforcing the drinker's natural arcane defenses.

Hazards

While Aetherium is immensely powerful, it is also unpredictable. Overuse of compressed Aetherium can cause arcane backlash, destabilizing the magic around it or even causing magical surges that tear at the fabric of reality. This makes it a risk for overzealous inventors or power-hungry wizards who push the limits of what Aetherium can do.
Additionally, Aetherium’s presence in magical objects often attracts powerful creatures drawn to its energy, such as elementals or arcane predators from beyond the material plane.

Type

Ore