Ethereal

History
Ethereals are an aura-based species originating in Mania-Prime.

Biology
Ethereals are beings of pure energy, and also seen as embodiments of aura in its purest form. Although truly consisting of only a glowing, free moving form, most ethereals have a series of cloth-like wraps around their bodies to signify physical presence, however their signature eyes, which glow brightly the color of each individual's aura, are still seen clearly through this artificial skin. Ethereals are physically very weak, and can be destroyed with little effort, however, many of them in combat situations wear specially crafted armors to combat this, as well as the fact that their expert manipulation of pure energy makes them difficult to approach in the first place.

Culture
A notable part of Ethereal culture is the heavy use of runic language in the enchantment of armors, texts, and other objects, including soul relics. At all times, an Ethereal carries a small enscribed tablet called a soul relic, which serves two purposes. The first is the relic's ability to channel the holder's aura into a physical manifestation of the user's ideal weaponry. The second use is that upon being destroyed, an Ethereal's energy is absorbed into the relic, which through special processes can be extracted, essentially allowing infinite resurrection, unless the relic is lost or otherwise somehow rendered unusable. If anyone other than the soul stonrelic's original holder attempts to use it, the relic will reject them, sometimes causing minimal physical harm. However, if one has an aura very similar to the original user's, the stone may cooperate, although not ideally. Soul relics can also be manipulated in purpose by powerful or tactical enough forces, such as the case of Atsa'an being able to weaponize the relics belonging to the other members of the Ethereal Council, which were used to trap him.

Ethereals also have an annual festival in which, upon the planet's arrival to the part of its eccentric orbit in which it is closest to its star, members of the species are "born" from the energy of the star and mysterious energies from the planet itself, and descend upon the planet. The existing Ethereals then take in these newly created members and assimate them into their culture, and teach them the history and mechanisms of the world around them, so that they one day will oversee the teaching of another.

Notable Canon

 * Atsa'an
 * Illustrio
 * Nativa
 * Arkaelo
 * Morr'tum
 * Halvak