Ether Ward

Ether is a dangerous element. It has a nasty tendency to corrupt physicality itself. Even small amounts can endager the lives of those around it, and with too much exposure, will inevitably kill or cripple those it haunts. Needless to say, in the interest of public health (and, of course the Circle of Masters, the Greatland Mage's Guild) there has been a long-time effort to find an effective way of detecting the presence of Ether.

Ether can be detected a number of ways - either by sprinkling some Arcanite Dust and seeing if it floats, or by using a Sorcerer's affinity for the Ether to "sniff" it out. There are a number of diagnostic spells that detect the potency of Ethereal winds, the categories of which can range from just a small "Etherbreeze" to an "Ethergale."

But for those of us who are not gifted in the Arcane, the most plausible way of ascertaining the level of Ether (or if there is any at all) is Ether Wards.

Ether wards are not complex devices, by any means. Indeed, someone, with the proper raw materials could make one in his or her own home. It does require some rather exotic components, notably Arcanite and Lysonine, two elements found on the physical plane that have some extraordinary capabilities.

Arcanite acts as an Ethereal inhibitor - that is to say, it's a metal that is effectively insulated to Ether. Ether passes through most materials like wind passes through a screen. But Arcanite insulates, and in some cases, acts as a barrier or even a channel for Ethereal energy. Arcanite armor, for example, is effectively an Ethereal Hazmat suit, whereas a regular suit of carapace armor, or even power armor, is rendered largely useless against even the most basic of Ethereal energies.

Lysonite, on the other hand, is an Ethereal magnet. It's a greenish-blue crystal, which actually sucks in Ether and cleanses it, releasing harmless water vapor, in a chemical reaction that is completely foreign and inexplicable to even the most talented minds. The secondary byproduct of this reaction is that the crystal emits a high pitched whine, as well as a reddish glow, which can reach a rather brilliant hue when the crystal is filled to capacity. It goes without saying, of course, is that larger crystals, such as the one found in a Wizard's Nexus can hold considerably more than a small one found in, say, an Ether Ward.

The ward is set up very simply, and works without fail in all but the more inclimate conditions.

A metal shaft plants the ward firmly into the ground. Atop the metal shaft are two small horizontal dowels, attached at 90 degrees, that form an "X" shape. From these dowels, there hangs a number of Arcanite "chimes" numbering anywhere between six and twelve. This is enclosed in a normal metal cylinder, usually bronze, to keep temporal winds from disturbing the Arcanite chimes. Once the enclosure has been made, a small Lysonite bead is attached to the apex of the ward. The last step is that the wards are of course labeled, usually with a "Do not disturb under pain of arrest or execution" sign. This alone keeps most troublemakers and hoodlums away.

As one might think, the winds do not rattle the Arcanite chimes, or not overly so. The bead of Lysonite acts as an indicator, which will show if trace amounts of Ether are found (and Ether in small amounts in the atmosphere is a fairly normal occurrence.) If high amounts of Ether passes through the area, however, the bead will glow more vibrantly, and the chimes will begin to rattle. The higher the "Wind" of Ether, the more brilliant the glow, and the more violent the rattle of the chimes. With a small breeze, the chimes might rattle only slightly - just audible enough to hear in the immediate vicinity. But with a good gust, they create an awesome din, perhaps not as melodious as one might expect from a normal wind chime, but not overtly harsh on the ears.

This Ether Ward is very useful, especially in the areas surrounding an Ethereal Rift. Every creature that emerges from a rift has an aura of Ether. Sorcerers often set these wards off, sometimes the Ether radiating off them so violently as to send the wards clattering to the ground. Powerful Ethereal entities emerging from rifts have similarly powerful auras, in some cases more so - some wide and powerful enough to set every ward off within miles.

Wards serve as the first defense for the Arbiters of the Scutarae Branch of the Ark, who have a vigilant guard stationed around each "Copse" of Wards. Major Ethereal disturbances may merit a visitation of the local Arbiter General, while minor or medial disturbances may be handled by local Arbiter forces.