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Ethereal: Difference between revisions
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By the point ethereals understood the origins of their creation, the surface and the stars had become divine in their eyes. Massive, distant bodies that resembled them in their ever-present brilliance made the central religion paramount in believing their descendance from the sun themselves. While this was proved to be untrue as slimes would begin to be herded into conditions to be transformed into ethereals about twice on the surface every year, there was still an uncanny link felt with the stars. This kinship with the heavenly bodies and light overall eventually led to a leadership primarily run by astronomers, who could divine the movement of those bodies in the sky and foresee the future as a result. As paper was unobtainable on Borealia, any writing done was primarily etched into stone, which made oratory tradition a baseline. The leading priests quickly garnered the title of the '''Lightseers''', who then went on to instruct the ethereals in the ultimate goal of reaching the stars. | By the point ethereals understood the origins of their creation, the surface and the stars had become divine in their eyes. Massive, distant bodies that resembled them in their ever-present brilliance made the central religion paramount in believing their descendance from the sun themselves. While this was proved to be untrue as slimes would begin to be herded into conditions to be transformed into ethereals about twice on the surface every year, there was still an uncanny link felt with the stars. This kinship with the heavenly bodies and light overall eventually led to a leadership primarily run by astronomers, who could divine the movement of those bodies in the sky and foresee the future as a result. As paper was unobtainable on Borealia, any writing done was primarily etched into stone, which made oratory tradition a baseline. The leading priests quickly garnered the title of the '''Lightseers''', who then went on to instruct the ethereals in the ultimate goal of reaching the stars. | ||
Conflict and strife are almost non-existent in ethereal history despite the density of population as well as the varied opinions on the best way to free their people from atmosphere. As relatively pro-social creatures with lessened reactions associated with stimuli considered negative in a communal environment, the technological, developmental, and cultural progress made by the ethereal people far outpaces the rate of any other known sapient species. Conjoined records indicate that in about 1541, crystal-powered vehicles made of gems, stone, and metals crackled with electric engines beyond the atmosphere. The matter of power was never an issue- more the level of safety in attempting to utilize a Tesla-like engine combined with materials that would withstand basic space debris and maintain pressurization. This, in addition to an ability to harness more stabilized '''bluespace''' crystals, enabled | Conflict and strife are almost non-existent in ethereal history despite the density of population as well as the varied opinions on the best way to free their people from atmosphere. As relatively pro-social creatures with lessened reactions associated with stimuli considered negative in a communal environment, the technological, developmental, and cultural progress made by the ethereal people far outpaces the rate of any other known sapient species. Conjoined records indicate that in about 1541, crystal-powered vehicles made of gems, stone, and metals crackled with electric engines beyond the atmosphere. The matter of power was never an issue- more the level of safety in attempting to utilize a Tesla-like engine combined with materials that would withstand basic space debris and maintain pressurization. This, in addition to an ability to harness more stabilized '''bluespace''' crystals, enabled bluespace travel for the ethereal people centuries before other species. | ||
Expanding out into their system, the ethereal people, over the span of a century, slowly began to construct new settlements and stations closer to Elix. Those who were born in this new age of space exploration began to push out and seek new stars from other systems. The greatest weakness of their spread, however, was their lack of information infrastructure. Due to the massive density and lack of literacy established among most of their people, efforts to make long-distance communication were difficult. As a result of the various groups and communities that set out into the cosmos almost immediately, fragmentation of religious belief as splintered groups experience different “revelations” began. While the Lightseers remained dominant due to their entrenched position on Borealia, several denominations began, and as wood and paper returned to the main system, literacy finally began to disperse among the people. Additional technologies, while primitive in relation to humanity’s progress by the 19th century, helped to form ethereals into a more connected people. | Expanding out into their system, the ethereal people, over the span of a century, slowly began to construct new settlements and stations closer to Elix. Those who were born in this new age of space exploration began to push out and seek new stars from other systems. The greatest weakness of their spread, however, was their lack of information infrastructure. Due to the massive density and lack of literacy established among most of their people, efforts to make long-distance communication were difficult. As a result of the various groups and communities that set out into the cosmos almost immediately, fragmentation of religious belief as splintered groups experience different “revelations” began. While the Lightseers remained dominant due to their entrenched position on Borealia, several denominations began, and as wood and paper returned to the main system, literacy finally began to disperse among the people. Additional technologies, while primitive in relation to humanity’s progress by the 19th century, helped to form ethereals into a more connected people. | ||
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2323 saw ethereals encounter the '''[[Mothperson|ex’hau]]''', a species of humanoid moths who quickly grew to admire the ethereals for their light-bending, heavenly forms, some going so far as to deify the creatures, to the express dismay of the pro-social, friendly ethereals. At this point, as the ethereals had gone and explored several other systems (such as '''Alpha Centauri''' or '''Palt'''), pilgrimages to varying stars to understand the spiritual ancestors of their people became paramount. 2465 saw the ex’hau reference ethereals to humanity. Diplomatic relations with the SIC remained quiet, though the Board lightly requested that respect would be shown to the Coalition’s borders. While some nations grew envious of the highly valuable crystals and worlds that the ethereals occupied, tensions with the '''Remnants of Vxtvul''' ensured that, despite their nigh non-existent military, none of the ethereals would see formal invasion. However, they remain a popular target for pirates, as their ships often carry valuable minerals or artifacts sought by anthropologists or archeologists. | 2323 saw ethereals encounter the '''[[Mothperson|ex’hau]]''', a species of humanoid moths who quickly grew to admire the ethereals for their light-bending, heavenly forms, some going so far as to deify the creatures, to the express dismay of the pro-social, friendly ethereals. At this point, as the ethereals had gone and explored several other systems (such as '''Alpha Centauri''' or '''Palt'''), pilgrimages to varying stars to understand the spiritual ancestors of their people became paramount. 2465 saw the ex’hau reference ethereals to humanity. Diplomatic relations with the SIC remained quiet, though the Board lightly requested that respect would be shown to the Coalition’s borders. While some nations grew envious of the highly valuable crystals and worlds that the ethereals occupied, tensions with the '''Remnants of Vxtvul''' ensured that, despite their nigh non-existent military, none of the ethereals would see formal invasion. However, they remain a popular target for pirates, as their ships often carry valuable minerals or artifacts sought by anthropologists or archeologists. | ||
In the present day, ethereals can very rarely be found in SIC space either in passing, in residence after their pilgrimage, or in work, seeking to fund their expeditions. While still targeted by less-than-benign individuals, the friendliness and presence of an ethereal have made their presence warmly accepted by most other sapient species, their empathy and soft nature portraying them as simultaneously naive and wholesome, despite the several pressures to be untrusting and selfish in the cruel space between the stars. Only a single alarming development threatens to pose them into alert: the strange, increasing rate of ship disappearance not tied to piracy. Some justify this as their traveling too far beyond the stars, teetering on the edge of a swallowing '''Void''' that consumes them whole. Others worry about technical difficulties with their designs of bluespace engines, as disappearance tends to occur after | In the present day, ethereals can very rarely be found in SIC space either in passing, in residence after their pilgrimage, or in work, seeking to fund their expeditions. While still targeted by less-than-benign individuals, the friendliness and presence of an ethereal have made their presence warmly accepted by most other sapient species, their empathy and soft nature portraying them as simultaneously naive and wholesome, despite the several pressures to be untrusting and selfish in the cruel space between the stars. Only a single alarming development threatens to pose them into alert: the strange, increasing rate of ship disappearance not tied to piracy. Some justify this as their traveling too far beyond the stars, teetering on the edge of a swallowing '''Void''' that consumes them whole. Others worry about technical difficulties with their designs of bluespace engines, as disappearance tends to occur after ignition. Regardless, most ethereals continue on, ignorant of the dread that has slowly begun to permeate their traditional travel. | ||
==Naming Conventions== | ==Naming Conventions== | ||
Ethereal naming conventions in '''Galactic Common''' consist of a star's name followed by a number of roman numerals, ideally the next number in line, as some ethereals may use the same star, and so a communal database exists to keep track of this very purpose. This star is often the prime goal of one's first, if their only pilgrimage. While this is confused sometimes and leads to duplicate names, it's generally handwaved within ethereal space, as their general form of identification has to do with birthmarks, and whichever wavelength of starlight an ethereal is born under. While not translatable, a name effectively correlates to something regarding their wavelength, then their birthmark, then their chosen star at birth. A systemized form of counting is eschewed in this case. In the rare case that differentiation is still required, some notable, admirable social trait is tacked onto the end of the name, after an individual's fifth nameday. Very few ethereals incorporate these standards into Galactic Common, though some more traditional insist upon it. | Ethereal naming conventions in '''Galactic Common''' consist of a star's name followed by a number of roman numerals, ideally the next number in line, as some ethereals may use the same star, and so a communal database exists to keep track of this very purpose. This star is often the prime goal of one's first, if their only pilgrimage. While this is confused sometimes and leads to duplicate names, it's generally handwaved within ethereal space, as their general form of identification has to do with birthmarks, and whichever wavelength of starlight an ethereal is born under. While not translatable, a name effectively correlates to something regarding their wavelength, then their birthmark, then their chosen star at birth. A systemized form of counting is eschewed in this case. In the rare case that differentiation is still required, some notable, admirable social trait is tacked onto the end of the name, after an individual's fifth nameday. Very few ethereals incorporate these standards into Galactic Common, though some more traditional insist upon it. | ||