Aetherium

Aetherium is a substance unlike any other found within the Iron-Grip Mountains, a shimmering, ethereal metal that seems to defy the laws of physics. It is not mined, but rather… harvested. Aetherium coalesces in areas of intense Auric Resonance, often near ancient ruins or places scarred by The Great Sundering. It appears as swirling motes of iridescent light, slowly condensing into solid form over centuries. Unlike iron or gold, Aetherium feels weightless to the touch, almost like grasping at solidified air. It hums with a faint energy, a subtle vibration that can be felt by those attuned to the earth's energies, like the Silent Monks of Durin's Peak. The metal does not corrode or tarnish. Instead, it seems to resonate with its surroundings, absorbing and amplifying ambient energies. This property has led to its use in Aetherium Conduits, devices capable of manipulating Auric Resonance on a grand scale. The Order of the Azure Hand hoard Aetherium, believing it to be the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe and achieving a Celestial Alignment Ritual. The Gnomish Tinkers are also obsessed with the substance, attempting to reverse-engineer its properties and create new technologies. Some whispered tales say that the Lost City of Umbral rose to prominence for its use of Aetherium, but fell because they were not careful in its extraction and use. The Forgotten Smith might be the only one to understand the true origins of the metal, which seems connected to the Warped Gates and even the Null Fields. Is it possible the Sunstone of Aethelgard is made of Aetherium? Perhaps the Cobalt Corsairs would be interested in this material's special properties. The Crimson Cartographers are searching for the Aetherium Fount, where the purest Aetherium can be harvested. The Shadow-Goblins seem to avoid Aetherium, perhaps sensing its disruptive energies. It may be one of the few things that can kill the Chitinous Swarm. Archivist Theron is cataloging the properties of Aetherium in his Chapter of Luminescence.