The Aether Guards

Organization

         Once lost to history, the Aether guard was formed centuries past by a human utterly fascinated by The Below, named Reaver. It was the first force able to seal the initial breaches that dotted Empyrean in the early histories. The battles were cataclysmic in nature and reshaped the very world around them as they raged on for years. The Aether imbued creatures referred to as Aemons ravaged Empyrean, while the Empyreans, with the help of the Aether Guard, forced them back into The Below and sealed the breaches. When the dust finally settled and the smoke cleared, the world began anew and an Age of Peace was declared. 

         Today, the Aether Guard is a specialized, global combat force that fights the encroaching Below world with specialized magic. They are the world’s leading scholars and soldiers against The Aether, but are very selective and secretive with their knowledge and assistance. They fight for the safety of the world, not any on empire, and are not bound by political or economic rules. Their headquarters are located on a massive island off the coast of the continent of the Radiant Empire, safely sequestered away from the world with massive walls and magically locked seals.  It is impenetrable, though many have tried. 

 

COMBAT AND ABILITIES
         The Aether Guard combat style and magical abilities are purposefully designed and trained into soldiers to maximize their effectiveness against Aemons and those corrupted by The Aether. It exists in no other part of the world, in no other force in any of the empires, for it is a secret closely guarded and kept by the Aether Guard itself. It is the most dangerous magic in Empyrean, and if it were to fall into the wrong hands, again, it would spell disaster.

         While standard magic is also utilized within the Aether Guard ranks, the magic uniquely used by them is called Soul Magic. It was created and first used by the organizations founder, who turned the tide against the battle against the Aemons in the First Age. It is a siphoning magic that directly affects the soul of a living being that can be used to weaken or banish a creature completely to The Aether. If uncontrolled or used improperly it can completely siphon the life essence of another living being, and it is completely irreversible. If not kept in check, this magic will always corrupt it’s user over time. It is a heavy price to pay for using it, and one that the Aether Guard believes only those willing to dedicate their lives to fighting Aemons and The Below should face.

         There has only ever been one documented case of this magic being used against other dragons and companions, though many in the shadows will use it for their own gain. The very founder of the Aether Guard is considered a threat to life and peace, for he allowed the magic to twist and deform him into a powerful lich in the first battles for Empyrean. He roams Empyrean now, a chaotic neutral storm at best - and a world ending event waiting to happen at worst.