Ethereal Fluctuation

Ethereal Fluctuation refers to a catastrophic magical phenomenon in which the fabric of the Veil, the metaphysical boundary that separates the Material Plane of Elossis from other realms—most notably the Ethereum Abyss—ruptures due to unstable arcane activity, resulting in temporary but often devastating breaches into otherworldly dimensions.

These rifts, often triggered by high concentrations or misuses of Aether, release uncontrolled energies and frequently allow the incursion of chaotic entities into the mortal world. Ethereal Fluctuations are unpredictable, volatile, and dangerous, and are the primary reason arcane magic is regulated, feared, or banned in many parts of Elossis.

Definition and Behavior

Ethereal Fluctuation occurs when arcane magic—especially from the Aetherflow—is drawn or cast in overwhelming, unstable, or misaligned ways, causing the Veil to stretch beyond its limit. While low-level magic typically carries little risk, high-level spellwork, mass ritual casting, or experimental Aethertech fusions can unbalance the flow of Aether and cause reality to splinter.

The phenomenon behaves like a dimensional explosion:

Reality tears open temporarily, exposing the surroundings to other planes—most commonly the Ethereum Abyss.
Chaotic weather, gravitational shifts, time distortions, and psychic phenomena often manifest.
Creatures from beyond, especially aberrant horrors and corrupted spirits, may spill into the area.
Survivors may be mutated, driven mad, or become Aether-scarred, permanently altered by exposure.

Fluctuations may last seconds or days depending on intensity. The environment around a major Fluctuation may remain corrupted or haunted for generations.

Causes

Though still studied, known causes of Ethereal Fluctuation include:

Overchanneling of raw Aether during spellcasting or rituals.
Unstable Aethertech devices malfunctioning or being misused.
Large accumulations of Aetherite in unshielded or volatile states.
Forbidden magical practices, particularly those involving Dark Aether or rituals to contact outer beings.
Natural convergence zones, where Aetherflow currents cross and create zones of reality tension.

Infamous Incidents

The Shattering of Orindhal (Year 642 Post-Sundering)

One of the earliest documented post-Cataclysmic Fluctuations, Orindhal was a thriving floating city built atop a dormant Nexus. In an attempt to reactivate the Nexus core using arcane and Aethertech resonance, the Veil was torn open above the city. Witnesses described a "sky fracture" of burning stars and black lightning. Within minutes, Orindhal and its 30,000 inhabitants vanished into a silent maelstrom. All that remains today is a cursed crater of drifting stones and disembodied whispers.

The Seven Veins of Kal Vareth (Year 689 PS)

A dwarven clan attempted to mine and weaponize crystallized Aetherite veins near a Veil-thinned rift. The combination of arcane vibration drills and Dark Aether stabilization caused the rift to erupt. Seven portals opened simultaneously, unleashing abominations that devoured the miners and warped the stone halls into a labyrinth of flesh and metal. Kal Vareth remains sealed by dwarven rune-priests and is classified a no-go zone by all major Aetherguilds.

The Silent Bloom of Raelis (Year 703 PS)

A secluded elven academy experimented with using song to harmonize the Aetherflow. On the solstice, their ritual triggered a soft but devastating Fluctuation. The flora around Raelis bloomed unnaturally, then crystallized, and then began to sing. When city scouts arrived weeks later, every inhabitant had vanished, and the forest echoed with dissonant voices of the lost. The "Crystal Choir of Raelis" can still be faintly heard during the moonrise, though no one who ventures into the region returns.

Global Impact and Regulation

The catastrophic effects of Ethereal Fluctuation have resulted in widespread fear, theological condemnation, and legal restriction of arcane practices across many cultures in Elossis:

Aetherguilds and magocracies strictly license and monitor magic-users, with high-level spellcasters often accompanied by regulated Watch-Wards.
Certain cities, particularly those near Veil-thinned zones, ban magic outright or permit only divine or ritual casting.
The Order of the Veilbound was established as a transnational order to hunt down rogue mages and destroy unstable magical constructs before Fluctuation occurs.

In rural or superstitious regions, even benign casters may be persecuted or exiled out of fear of "bringing the Break."

Cultural and Philosophical Interpretations

Followers of the Light (Lux Veritas) see Ethereal Fluctuation as evidence that mortals were not meant to wield divine forces, and regard magic as a test of humility.
Umbra Noctis cults, in contrast, embrace Fluctuations as gateways to evolution, believing the chaotic exposure can awaken hidden truths or godhood.
Neutral scholars posit that Ethereal Fluctuations are not a punishment, but a sign of a living world pushing back against imbalances in the Aetherflow.

Containment and Prevention

Modern countermeasures to prevent or contain Ethereal Fluctuations include:

Runed Circles to ground magical current.
Aether Dampeners built with leaded obsidian and siphon glyphs.
Veil Wards, divine relics that temporarily reinforce weakened fabric between planes.
Aetherfire Forges, used to purge infected or dangerous Aetherite.
Silent Containment Fields, derived from pre-Sundering technology, though few know how to activate them.

Despite advances, no known method can completely prevent a major Fluctuation once one has begun. Containment remains the best hope—and escape the most common outcome.