Class Feature Friday: Aether School (Wizard Elementalist School)
Ā Ah, it is finally time to touch upon the elemental schools of wizardry, and we are startingā¦ with perhaps one of the hardest to wrap our heads around, as the element in question does not appear to exist in the real world.
But first, a little explanation of how elemental schools work. Rather than specializing in a traditional school of magic, the wizard instead specializes in spells that adhere to the definition of that element. Fire focusing on pyromantic effects, water focusing on mist, water, ice, and so on.
From there, elemental spells also have a single opposition school, which is usually either the opposite element according to western elementalism, or if they use the 5-element eastern elementalism system, it will be the one that counters and overcomes their element. Additionally, some elemental schools grant access to spells that are not normally on the wizard spell list, and it is worth noting that spells that came out after those lists were introduced might also be on the elementalist in-school list. Consult you GM.
As one of two elemental schools that exist āoutsideā of this system, the aether school picks their opposition school from the classic four.
In any case, the element of aether!
In real-world science, aether was a theorized substance which filled the entirety of the cosmos beyond our atmosphere, providing a medium through which light could travel and the conduction of gravitation. (nobody had come up with the idea that radiation and gravitation could pass through a void yet). However, as science advanced, it became increasingly clear that aether, much like phlogiston and other disproved substances, was a product of us filling in the gaps in our knowledge, almost like how our myths were used to explain natural phenomena. Of course, there are still fringe theorists of varying credibility always hoping to bust the study of physics wide open by revealing itās existence.
So of course, in a fantasy world, why not take aether and make it its own thing?
In Pathfinder, aether is a substance/phenomena that appears when the ethereal plane touched upon other planes. Because of this, it is likely related to, (or a form of) quintessence, psychic energy, telekinetic force, or something else. Itās so hard to study that aetheromancers are rare, but not impossible to find. In short, though, it is essentially an expression of all the strange stuff that happens in the ethereal and astral planes.
I do like the aesthetic that Paizo came up with for aether, incidentally, invisible shapes outlined by swirling neon-bright outlines of multi-colored energy. Also I am fully aware of the irony of talking about both aether and quintessence in the same sentence while meaning two different, albeit related things.
Aetheromancers are typically esoteric researchers, the very definition of the wizard/scientist that focuses on things most lay-people have no full grasp of, which can make them seem eccentric or aloof. The fact that they can pick and choose their opposition element does mean that they can succeed at pretty much any career that a wizard may be involved with, gaining the full benefits of having a school with few limitations since they can pick an element that is least useful for them. As long as they have time for their research, I imagine they donāt mind much either way.
Ā The aether school taps into magic that most wizards do not delve into, adding a handful of new spells to the aetheromancerās arsenal. These include conjuring force weapons and guardians, telekinetic attacks both large and small, animating objects, and manipulating ether and ectoplasm.
Adept at the telekinetic arts, members of this school take a leaf out of the book of arcane tricksters, being able to use minor telekinesis to steal from foes with ease.
Channeling a telekinetic barrier, they can also protect themselves when necessary, albeit only for a few moments.
Reaching into the aether with strands of energy, these wizards are able to sense nearby foes even if they cannot see them, and keep their defenses up.
In general, the spells of this school include those that manipulate force, ectoplasm, or telekinetic power in some way.
Force and ectoplasm are hard to resist, damage-wise, so if youāre interested in a wizard that has a lot of battlefield control and reliable damage against even ghostly foes, this archetype might be for you. Iād recommend a fairly balanced build, but otherwise go nuts.
Ā With the obscurity and lack of knowledge that exists for aether, I imagine that many of these wizards have trouble being taken seriously by certain, more world-focused parts of the magical community, but much like theoretical physicists, it is foolish to underestimate them.
Ā Ā The traveling aetheromancer Nikas does not exist as anything more than a cover identity for the reptoid Sakin, who uses the obscurity of his magical art to recruit and indoctrinate loyal students who are all too eager for his knowledge, molding them to be agents in the future.
Ā Bristle the ravenous tumbleweed is a menace of a plant and a nuisance of a familiar, but itās master, the aetheromancer Yi, finds the misbehaving antics of the hungry bush to be highly amusing, much to the chagrin of her friends at the academy.
Ā The party is tasked with clearing out the tower of a deceased wizard, a dangerous, but fairly routine task. However, the wizard in question delved deeply into the mysteries of the astral, so the tower is full of strange experiments into aether and quintessence. Aether elementals are the least of the worries of the adventurers, as they will soon see.
