(Everything below is a compendium of terms, systems, and ideas found in the story. It includes minor spoilers, so feel free to skip it if you prefer learning things as they're revealed. This is just here to give clarity and context to the world.)
#Etherists
Everyone starts here. Ether is the essence of life, the energy that flows through all living things. Some can sense it. A rare few can wield it. These people are called Etherists.
With training and determination, an Etherist strengthens their core—a spiritual vessel where their power resides. As they grow stronger, their core shifts form and color, marking every stage of progress.
#Tiers
There are nine main ranks. Here's a quick look with the nature of their cores:
Mortal-Class tiers:
Tier 1: Lustrous Copper
Tier 2: Burnished Bronze
Tier 3: Forged Iron
Tier 4: Gleaming Silver
Tier 5: Resplendent Gold
Tier 6: Radiant Platinum – known as Ether Masters
Above this threshold, power transforms.
Tier 7: Aether Lord – Lesser Demigod
Tier 8: Aether Lord – Greater Demigod
Tier 9: Aether Monarch – Sphere Regents
Beasts follow the same kind of hierarchy:
Tier 1: Common Wildlife
Tier 2: Feral Beasts
Tier 3: Dire Beasts
Tier 4: Beast Kings
Tier 5: Beast Sovereigns
Tier 6: Legendary Beasts
Tier 7: Primal Overlords
Tier 8: Primeval Behemoths
Tier 9: Mythical Titans
( Note: Each mortal rank also has sub-stages—initial, middle, upper, and peak. )
#The Corrupted
Etherists, and everything else sensitive to Ether, can be corrupted if their cores absorb Ether in reverse through overtaxing the core. It's an easier way to get stronger, but it ends up destroying the user and everything around them.
Corruption isn't just "evil." It's a different wavelength of power. It interacts with Ether and Aether in unstable, volatile ways.
Some, like Alaric, have abnormal affinities—a natural link to corruption. Which is one of the reasons why people like him are known as Abominations.
#Spells
Spells are perpetual effects tied to elements and infused into an Etherist's core, or a beast's body. Powered by Ether, they grow over time as long as the user advances them or certain conditions are met.
#Talent
Every living being has a talent grade, which is natural limit to how far their core can develop and how strongly they connect to Ether. This applies to both humans and beasts.
Most people, about 60%, don't have a grade at all. Meaning they can't manipulate Ether in the first place.
Grade E: Probably won't go past tier 1.
Grade D: May reach tier 2, maybe the start of tier 3.
Grade C: Can reach tier 3. Rare ones go toward tier 4.
Grade B: Can reach tier 5.
Grade A: Can reach tier 6 and possibly beyond.
Grade S: The highest potential, but it's not a blessing. S-grade individuals are usually unstable, corrupted, or self-destructive. They rise fast… but crash hard.
#True Will
A special kind of power and a unique manifestation of identity, belief, and emotional resolve. It's tied to who you are, what you've endured, and what you're willing to become.
True Will shapes Ether in unique ways. Like your soul screaming into reality. Usually shows up in Tier 6 and above, though some exceptional minds can awaken it earlier.
#Artifacts
Magical items infused with spells, capable of being used independently from the user's core abilities. Artifacts are ranked in tiers (1–9) like Etherists, but their grade determines their true potential.
Grades of Artifacts:
Normal: Standard artifacts made through basic enchantments. They don't grow or change unless manually advanced.
Special: Sentient artifacts that can think and act to a degree. Stronger than normal ones, but still require outside help to evolve.
Transcendent: Fully sentient and capable of growing alongside the user. Rare, powerful, and often bonded to their wielder.
While any grade can exist at any tier, Special and Transcendent artifacts typically appear from Tier 6 and above.