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| Aetherius | |
|---|---|
| Type | Realm |
| Realm | Aurbis |
| Subregions | Mantellan Crux Sovngarde Far Shores Sands Behind the Stars Forest of Dreams |
| Appears in | Daggerfall, Skyrim, ESO |
Aetherius (known also as the Immortal Plane,[1] the Aether,[2] and Heaven)[3][4] is a plane of the Aurbis thought to be the origin of all magic and arcane arts.[5][6][7] The stars and the sun are thought to be holes into Aetherius left by spirits (notably Magnus) who long ago became dissatisfied with Mundus.[5] It is a common belief that the soul of a dead person, assuming they are not Nirn-bound for some reason, goes to Aetherius, to continue on as a spirit,[8] where it is said many souls of mortals become spirits of another sort.[1] Materials known as Aetherial Fragments often become dislodged and fall to Nirn; these are commonly observed by the people of Tamriel as 'shooting stars'.[5]
Aetherius, much like Oblivion, consists of a multitude of realms which serve different purposes and is described as a bright sea containing many worlds, though they are all "of everlasting imperfection".[4][9][1] For Nords, their chosen place in Aetherius is Sovngarde, the Hall of Valor.[10] The Redguards have a different place in Aetherius, called the Far Shores,[7] as do the Khajiit, a realm known as the Sands Behind the Stars.[11] These locations are not necessarily exclusive to those particular races, but may depend on an individual's beliefs, choices during their lifetime and the manner of their death, including the possibility of servitude to the Daedra in Oblivion.[12][13][14] For instance, in 2E 582 King Emeric of Wayrest was (temporarily) killed in the Chamber of Passage in the Hall of Heroes; his soul was drawn through a nearby passage to the Far Shores, despite his being a Breton.[15]
The Aedra are said to have originated in Aetherius,[16] having come into existence at the Beginning Place alongside some of the Daedric Princes.[7][12] After Convention, the Aedra, as well as varieties of uncontacted, minor Aedric spirits, are said to reside in Aetherius once again.[17][18][19] The Luminaries, immortal beings of pure magic are generally thought to bear some relation to Aetherius. They have been theorized to be fallen tears of Aetherius formed of its energy manifested in physical form, new lifeforms that arose naturally from the meeting of life and aetherial energy, "children" or creations of the Aedra that were sent as their proxies to guide mortals and are to Aetherius what the Daedra are to Oblivion, aetheric constructs born from the imprinting of the subconscious eidolons of mortals upon purest magicka, a natural part of the cycle of magic that functions as the mechanism by which it is emanated to other planes akin to a lamp casting light, or ascended ancestor spirits, the souls of dead mortals that have taken on a new form.[20][21][22]
The Magna Ge, who fled Mundus before Convention and created the stars, reside here.[UOL 1][UOL 2] The Mantellan Crux is a self-contained plane that for a time was the resting place of the Mantella after it was blasted into Aetherius by Zurin Arctus.
Powerful curses can sometimes cause part of Aetherius to overlay with Nirn, drawing spirits from that realm back into the world of the living.[23]
TravelEdit
During the Merethic Era, a mythical order of Aldmeri explorers known as the Sun Birds of Alinor were said to have pierced the veil between Mundus and Aetherius using the raw magic of the Ehlnofey.[24] Their expeditions to Aetherius are said to be among the most famous attempts in history, however some scholars believe that actual proof of a successful journey is non-existent.[24] Another example is the Imperial Mananauts of the Reman Dynasty, who undertook comporable expeditions to the Sun Birds,[4] during which they discovered and named the Slipstream Realms.[25]
The Dwemer were rumored to have used vessels called "Aetherbells", that could "dive" through the realms of Aetherius and Oblivion.[26]
Some portals to Aetherius can be found on Nirn,the Chamber of Passage in the Hall of Heroes is one such gate leading to the Far Shores,[27] and the gate to Sovngarde in the ancient fane of Skuldafn is another.[28]
Travel to Aetherius is possible through magic, the renowned mystic Nulfaga could transport others to the realm,[29] and certain life-force devouring wraiths can transport the living to Aetherius in order for the dead to drain their essence.[30]
GalleryEdit
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Sovngarde, a Realm of Aetherius (Skyrim)
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The Far Shores, a Realm of Aetherius (ESO)
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The Blind God in the Mantellan Crux (Daggerfall)
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A Painting of Three Divines at the Gates of Aetherius
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An Imperial Mananaut helm (ESO)
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The Summerset Orrery, made of celestial minerals gathered from Aetherius (Legends)
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A Dwarven Aetheric Beacon
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A Varla Stone, a type of Aetherial Fragment (Skyrim)
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The Dragon Luminary
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The Netch Luminary
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The Indrik Luminary
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The Gryphon Luminary
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ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c Girnalin's dialogue in ESO
- ^ From Nirn to the Aether — Icarian
- ^ Artorius Ponticus Answers Your Questions — Bishop Artorius Ponticus
- ^ a b c Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: Arena Supermundus: The Tapestry of Heaven — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
- ^ a b c Magic from the Sky — Irlav Jarol
- ^ Mysticism — Tetronius Lor
- ^ a b c The Monomyth
- ^ The Talos Mistake — Leonora Venatus
- ^ Sithis
- ^ Sovngarde, a Reexamination — Bereditte Jastal
- ^ Trail and Tide — Moon-Bishop Hunal
- ^ a b The Abbot Crassius Viria Answers Your Questions — Abbot Crassius Viria
- ^ The Doors of Oblivion — Seif-ij Hidja
- ^ Tamrielic Lore — Yagrum Bagarn
- ^ Events of ESO
- ^ Elder Scrolls Online - Knowledge Base
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: All the Eras of Man, A Comprehensive History of our History — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
- ^ Serana's dialogue in Skyrim: Dawnguard
- ^ Phrastus of Elinhir Answers Your Questions — Phrastus of Elinhir
- ^ The Crow's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Loremaster's Archive - Scribing — Votary Nahila
- ^ Ulfsild's Notes: The Origin of Luminaries — Ulfsild
- ^ Andewen, Meldil and Quaronaldil Duure's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b Prismatic Sunbird Feather antiquity codex entry in ESO
- ^ Lord Fa-Nuit-Hen and Tutor Riparius Answer Your Questions — Fa-Nuit-Hen and Tutor Riparius
- ^ Dwemer Star Chart antiquity codex entry in ESO
- ^ To Walk on Far Shores quest in ESO
- ^ Sovngarde quest in Skyrim
- ^ Journey to Aetherius quest in Daggerfall
- ^ Soul Thirsters and Baleful Ghosts in ESO
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.