The energy source called Aether has been a vital aspect of daily life since time began. Originally it could only be utilized by magik users, but the rise of cybernetics allowed for a broader uses.

Aether is akin to electricity, residing within crystals that can be used in raw form, polished rock, or carved down for slotting into jewelry or cybernetics. The Aether that shimmers across the atmosphere cannot be used for casting of magik or powering of tech since it's too far spread at a molecular level. Those that use Aether crystals for magik or cybernetics must recharge them either at a public terminal or at an at-home terminal, just like charging a smartphone.

Additionally, Aether crystals can be crushed into fine powder, liquified, plasmified, ect. to be consumed. Small doses with long intervals between causes hallucinations, feelings of euphoria, and major lapses in judgement. Large doses or long term use with little time between causes acute paranoia, major motor function loss, nose bleeds, hysteria, and eventually death.

The Afflicted may either vampirically syphon Aether from a person, their cybernetics, or the crystals in any form. The side effects of consumption are near benign compared to those without a Psychophant.

The amount of Aether used or how often the Aether crystal(s) need to be charged is determined by each individual player. This works on an honor system, with the catch being the Rank system. The higher rank you are the more you are perceived as a powerful user due to having more dice to roll.

Everyday cantrips, like making a broom sweep up your shop or using cybernetic attachments like regular limbs does not use much, thus it can be assumed the Aether crystal associate with such is charged daily.

If you wish to add flavor of switching out Aether crystals mid-combat it would take one full round, much like reloading a firearm.

In character all Aether crystals are mined underneath the Drift and provided to the public at near cost price. Other cities, such as the Bluffs and Spots, pay a premium due to shipping and scarcity. You may resell Aether crystals, experiment with them, ect., if you wish for more lore on them please reach out to the sim owner.

Out of character, you may utilize nearly any crystal you prefer for your character. If you are unsure please reach out to the sim owner for clarification. But really, it's a magik rock, it should be okay as long as it's not the size of a boulder.

Due to freshness of the sim the only person who can answer lore questions at the moment is the sim owner. Please reach out to Null Astral either in-world via notecard or in a Discord ticket.

There is a level of freedom that is wanted for each player, without detriment to the immersion for the populace as a whole. Most cybernetic attachments are allowed, even non-conventional attachments like a spring neck or spinal skeletal tail.

Cyberized attachments that are not propotional to the overall body may not fit within the rules. If you are uncertain please reach out the sim owner, Null Astral, via Discord or in-world. Only the sim owner can approval or deny, this keeps a level of consistency and negates any sort of double standards.

If you have the socket then you can switch it! As long as the cybernetic fits the rules, you can do what you like. The same is for installation, you can replace anything you like, but no one can be 100% synthetic as the Aether needed for such would mean a crystal switchout every ten minutes.

But, keep in mind, once an organic part of you is replaced with a cybernetic you cannot reverse the process.

There are several companies that make cybernetics, thus you can join one of the factions that claims such or be an independent maker ICly. How you source the parts, the Aether crystals, and gain clients is entirely up to you. There's always room for ripperdocs and techies.

Due to freshness of the sim the only person who can answer lore questions at the moment is the sim owner. Please reach out to Null Astral either in-world via notecard or in a Discord ticket.