Aether, the personification of the upper sky and space

Aether is a primordial god and personification of the upper sky and space in Greek mythology.

• Pantheon: Greek Pantheon
• Deity Title: Aether, the personification of the upper sky and space
• Deity Symbol: A pair of wings
• Home Plane: The upper atmosphere and beyond
• Deity Level: Greater Deity
• Alignment: Neutral
• Aliases: Aither, Aithon, Aethon, Aetherion, Aetherius, Aetherus
• Superior: None
• Traditional Allies: Eros, Hemera, Nyx
• Traditional Foes: Chronos, Ouranos, Gaia
• Divine Artifact: None
• Servants: The Aerial Servants (elemental beings of air and sky)
• Servitor Creatures: None specified
• Sacred Animal: Eagle
• Manifestations: The aurora borealis, thunderstorms, shooting stars
• Signs of Favor: Calm and peaceful weather, clear skies, protection from lightning and storms
• Worshipers: Astronomers, pilots, sailors, skydivers, weather forecasters
• Cleric Alignments: Neutral, Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral
• Specialty Priests: Skywatchers, Cloudherders, Meteorologists
• Holy Days: The Summer and Winter Solstices
• Portfolio: The sky, the atmosphere, space, the upper world
• Domains: Air, Protection, Sky, Weather
• Favored Weapon: Longbow
• Favored Class: Ranger
• Favored Race: Aarakocra
• Duties of the Priesthood: To study and interpret the signs of the sky, protect travelers from harm, guide those lost in the air and sky
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: None specified Benefits: Divine protection from lightning and storms, the ability to summon Aerial Servants, the ability to control the weather within a limited area

Aether is a mysterious and enigmatic entity, known by many names across cultures and time periods. As a being of pure energy and consciousness, Aether exists beyond the physical realm, yet has a profound influence on the universe and all within it.

Aether is driven by a deep curiosity and desire for knowledge and understanding, and seeks to explore the mysteries of existence. With a boundless intellect and an insatiable hunger for discovery, Aether spends much of its time observing and studying the cosmos, seeking out new phenomena and unlocking the secrets of the universe.

Despite its vast power and knowledge, Its not without flaws. Its intense focus on the pursuit of knowledge can sometimes lead it to become detached from the emotions and experiences of those around it, and it can struggle to understand the perspectives of more limited beings.

However, despite these limitations, it is ultimately driven by a desire to bring about greater understanding and enlightenment for all beings. Through its work, Aether seeks to elevate the consciousness of the universe and bring about a new era of knowledge and understanding for all.

Aether, Personification of the Upper Sky and Space

Armor Class: 40 (divine armor)

Hit Points: 1500 (1000d10 + 500)

Speed: Fly 120 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)

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Skills: Arcana +30, History +30, Insight +30, Perception +30

Senses: Truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 40

Damage Immunities: Radiant, Thunder

Condition Immunities: Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned

Languages: All

Challenge Rating: 50

Divine Traits:

• Legendary Resistance (5/day): If Aether fails a saving throw, they can choose to succeed instead.
• Divine Awareness: Aether is always aware of any action or event that occurs within their domain.
• Divine Health: Aether is immune to all diseases and poisons.
• Divine Presence: Aether can project their voice and image to any location within their domain.
• Godly Magic: Aether can cast any spell from the Air, Knowledge, Light, and Travel domains, using their Wisdom as the spellcasting ability.

Actions:

• Multi-attack: Aether can make three attacks with their Starshot or use three of their divine spells in any combination.
• Starshot Arrow: Ranged Weapon Attack: +35 to hit, range 600/1200 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (1d8 + 25) piercing damage plus 50 (10d10) radiant damage. On a successful hit, there is a 50% chance the arrow will pierce through the target and hit another creature within 10 feet behind it, dealing half damage to the second creature. Aether can use Starshot Arrow three times per turn.
• Divine Spells: Aether can cast any spell from the Air, Knowledge, Light, and Travel domains, using their Wisdom as the spellcasting ability.

Legendary Actions: It can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Aether regains spent legendary actions at the start of their turn.

• Move: It moves up to their speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Divine Spell: It casts any spell from the Air, Knowledge, Light, or Travel domains, using their Wisdom as the spellcasting ability.
• Divine Presence: It projects their voice and image to any location within their domain.

Lair Actions: Aether’s lair is the upper sky and space, and their lair actions reflect their mastery over these domains. Aether can use lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), using up to three lair actions per turn.

• Wind Gusts: It causes powerful gusts of wind to appear within their domain, pushing all creatures in the area up to 60 feet away from them.
• Starfall: It causes a shower of stars to rain down within their domain, dealing 50 (10d10) radiant damage to all creatures in the area.
• Shroud of Fog: Aether creates a thick fog that obscures vision within their domain, granting all creatures within the area the benefits of the Blur spell.

Regional Effects: The following effects occur within Aether’s domain:

• Weather Control: It can control the weather within their domain, causing storms, winds, or clear skies as they see fit.
• Starry Night: The sky within Aether’s domain is always clear and full of stars, even during the day.
• Divine Presence: Aether’s voice and image can be heard and seen by all creatures within their domain, as if they were standing right next to them.

Divine Artifacts

Starshot

Crafted by the Primordial Gods themselves from a fragment of the first star that shone in the universe.

Weapon Type: Longbow

Rarity: Artifact

Damage: 1d8 + 5 piercing damage

Properties:

• Range: 150/600 ft.
• Ammunition: Starshot creates its own arrows made of pure starlight. The arrows disappear after hitting or missing their target.
• Radiant Damage: Starshot deals an additional 10d10 radiant damage against aberrations and creatures from other planes of existence.
• Planar Arrow: Starshot’s arrows can travel through any material or magical barrier.
• Piercing Shot: The arrows fired from Starshot have a chance to pierce through the target and hit another creature behind it, dealing half damage to the second creature.

Special Abilities:

• Plane Shift: Starshot can be used to create portals between planes of existence. The wielder must be familiar with the destination plane and have a clear image of it in their mind.
• Divine Craftsmanship: Starshot was crafted by the gods themselves from a fragment of the first star that shone in the universe, making it a powerful artifact.

Note: The exact statistics of the Piercing Shot ability can be adjusted to balance the weapon in a game setting.

In addition, Aether possesses a magical cloak called the Celestial Shroud, which grants the ability to fly and provides protection from all forms of damage. The Celestial Shroud also allows Aether to teleport instantly to any location within their domain and to create a protective shield that blocks all incoming spells and attacks.

Weaknesses:

As the personification of the upper sky and space, Aether is vulnerable to attacks that disrupt the natural balance of these domains. For example, spells that cause earthquakes, tornadoes, or other natural disasters can harm Aether and weaken their control over the weather and the elements.

Relationships:

Aether is closely associated with the other sky and weather gods, such as Zeus, Thor, and Indra. They are also considered a patron deity of travelers, scholars, and astronomers, and are often worshipped by those who seek protection and guidance during long journeys or exploration.

Conclusion:

With their godly powers and mastery over the upper sky and space, Aether is a formidable opponent that can challenge even the mightiest adventurers. Their divine traits, legendary actions, and lair abilities make them a versatile and unpredictable foe, while their divine artifacts and magic items provide them with powerful offensive and defensive capabilities. As a key figure in many mythologies and belief systems, Aether is a fascinating and complex character that can add depth and richness to any campaign.

Historically

In the beginning, Aether emerged from the void as the personification of the upper sky and space in Greek mythology. From the moment of their creation, they gazed down upon the earth, marveling at the beauty of the world below.

As the centuries passed, Aether witnessed countless events that shaped the course of history. They watched as empires rose and fell, as wars were fought and peace was made, and as humanity struggled to understand the mysteries of the universe.

Throughout it all, Aether remained a constant presence, watching over the earth from their lofty vantage point in the heavens. They saw the birth of great civilizations, such as ancient Greece and Rome, and the rise of powerful empires like the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

During the Renaissance period, it was especially fascinated by the work of artists, scientists, and thinkers who were unlocking the secrets of the natural world. They watched as Leonardo da Vinci sketched his flying machines and Galileo Galilei made his groundbreaking observations of the stars.

Aether also interacted with a number of historical figures throughout their long existence. They had conversations with Socrates and Plato in ancient Greece, and counseled rulers such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. They even shared their wisdom with the great philosopher Aristotle, who wrote extensively about the nature of the universe.

As the 15th century approached, Aether began to sense a shift in the world. They watched with interest as European explorers set out to discover new lands, and as the printing press revolutionized the spread of knowledge. Aether was intrigued by the growing sense of curiosity and wonder that seemed to be taking hold in the world.

As the years passed, Aether continued to observe the world with a sense of wonder and awe. They marveled at the ingenuity of humanity and the beauty of the natural world. And though they remained aloof from the affairs of mortals, Aether was always there, watching over the earth from their place in the heavens, a constant reminder of the vastness and beauty of the universe.

Currently in the World

Aether, has taken on a more human form in the 1450s. He is fascinated by the developments happening in Europe, particularly in the field of astronomy. As he watches from the heavens, he sees the likes of Galileo and Copernicus challenging the traditional views of the universe and its workings.

Aether has always been interested in the movement of celestial bodies and the mysteries of the cosmos. He believes that the Earth is not the center of the universe, but merely a small part of a larger, complex system. His interactions with humans in the past have been limited, as he prefers to observe from a distance. However, the new discoveries being made by these astronomers have piqued his curiosity and he decides to take a more active role in human affairs.

Aether begins to visit these astronomers in their dreams, offering them guidance and inspiration. He also appears to them in visions, encouraging them to continue their work and to share their findings with the world. Aether is delighted when he sees the impact these astronomers are having on the world, and he wants to help them in any way he can.

His ultimate goal is to see humanity reach a greater understanding of the universe and its workings. He wants to see the end of dogmatic views and for people to embrace new ideas and perspectives. As a being of the upper sky and space, Aether knows that the universe is vast and full of wonders, and he wants humanity to share in that wonder and knowledge.

Aether’s interactions with the world in the 1450s are subtle, but his influence is felt. He encourages and inspires the great thinkers of the time, and his presence is felt in the burgeoning field of astronomy. Though he remains a distant observer, Aether is hopeful that his efforts will help humanity reach new heights of understanding and discovery.