Etherstorm

"It was the worst thing i ever did, i'll tell you that..." - Merdas the dwarf, upon seeing his first Etherstorm

The Etherstorms are the purest expression of the infinite energy that resides The Ether, periodically rampaging through Telandor and infusing it with raw magic.They are a vital aspect of society in the world, as they are both destructive force to be feared, as well as providing occupants with a source of energy. The light from the storms, called Etherlight can infuse Etherium-gemstones with energy, and is used as a component in many arcane and scientific endeavors.

Manifestation

Cyclical Nature

The Etherstorms come in periodic intervals throughout the month, becoming more frequent as the summer and winter solstices grow closer, and less frequent during the Stillness, the period in between the solstices. They also differ in power during the seasons, more akin to drizzles during the peak of the stillness, while being tremendous forces of destruction close to the solstices. They manifest about once a month during the stillness, while they can come as often as every three to four days close to the solstices, lasting anywhere from four to eight hours.

Convergence of elemental power

The Etherstorms bring with the the raw magical power that is present in The Ether , causing strange arcane phenomena and weakening the veil between worlds. Elemental beings appear in conjunction with the storms, feeding of their power and joining the storms in their chaotic dance across the skies. The various flora and fauna that bolster themselves upon the energy in these storms awaken, reaching out to nourish themselves. Other, more bizarre things have been known to happen, such as shadows being cast the wrong way. It is not uncommon for various bewildered souls to temporarily materialize with the storms, having been sucked through the Ether and into the material plane.

The Primordial Storm

At each solstice, the primordial storm comes. A vast and tremendous storm that lasts for an entire day. The primordial storm is the pinnacle of raw power and has been known to change the very face of Telandor. This is a time for hushed huddling in shelters, often beneath the ground, and a time when many arcane beings are at the apex of their might. Tremendous Elemental Deities spawn wreaking havoc havoc across the land as they frolic in the mighty tempests.

Localization

The Etherstorms take the form of whatever environment they are in, often originating close to the Nodeheart of that biome. They spread in circular pattern radiating out from the Nodeheart, weakening in power the further it gets from its origin. Preceding the storms are a form of aurora that look like long tendrils reaching out from the Nodeheart and converging with the swirling ethereal curls that loom above. They increase in power and magnitude until the storm breaks out, when they start to radiate outwards to form the front of the storm. These auroras can last for about an hour, and are oftentimes the only warning people get of the coming storm.

Type

Metaphysical, Elemental