As has been said many times throughout the thread, to eliminate aether travel entirely from canon is lore-shattering. They exist in canon and are responsible for the growth and birth of many of our existing civilizations.
That said, not every character needs to have access to aetheryte travel. In fact, there are plenty of solid reasons and justifications for not doing so. Many given within the lore surrounding the aetherytes themselves. My own character, for instance, does not have the fortitude for aetheryte travel. If ultimately necessary and someone else teleports her, she will do so and proceed to wretch all over the place. However, she much prefers conventional means of transportation. Chocobo porters, personal mounts, walking, or ferries.
Per 1.0 lore, airship travel was incredibly rare and costly venture. Mainly because more and more airships were being shot down by Garleans and airship travel to the north was prevented by the Dragonsong War. (Dragons were attacking civilian airships in the Coerthas region.) In addition, until more recent models of airship became mass-produced by Highwind Skyways, airships were predominantly used for cargo or military use only.
Hope this helps! ^^
That said, not every character needs to have access to aetheryte travel. In fact, there are plenty of solid reasons and justifications for not doing so. Many given within the lore surrounding the aetherytes themselves. My own character, for instance, does not have the fortitude for aetheryte travel. If ultimately necessary and someone else teleports her, she will do so and proceed to wretch all over the place. However, she much prefers conventional means of transportation. Chocobo porters, personal mounts, walking, or ferries.
Per 1.0 lore, airship travel was incredibly rare and costly venture. Mainly because more and more airships were being shot down by Garleans and airship travel to the north was prevented by the Dragonsong War. (Dragons were attacking civilian airships in the Coerthas region.) In addition, until more recent models of airship became mass-produced by Highwind Skyways, airships were predominantly used for cargo or military use only.
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Airship Lore
In short, Eorzean airship technology is less than 50 years old and was invented by "borrowing" Ixali engineering. Because airships are so costly to make and construction time is so long, very few models exist and most are used for cargo/military operations. Only recently (within the last 10-15 years) have they been used for civilian transportation.
Lodestone Wrote:Airships are miracles of the Eorzean skyscape—flying vessels born from the ingenuity and ambition behind the Garlean Empire's most advanced technologies. The airships of the realm's free nations most commonly achieve flight by either one of two means—large balloons of hide and cloth filled with gases less dense than the surrounding air, or wings of magitek making, made to beat by powerful ceruleum-burning engines. Despite whatever technological simliarities they may share, however, the realm's vessels are easily distinguishable on sight from the enormous and sinister juggernauts of Garlemald—armored monstrosities designed for the sole purpose of destruction.
By pioneering the sky routes between the realm's major cities and establishing regular flights along them, Highwind Skyways, an institution founded by the exorbitantly wealthy aristocrat and adventurer Tatanora, is now slowly but surely making commercial flight an ordinary aspect of everyday life in Eorzea. Even so, only a few airships are permitted to take flight at any given time, for the Garlean Empire is always watching, ready to strike at the first sight of an enemy vessel.
Colson Wrote:It must be nigh on fifty years ago now that I began my apprenticeship with Tatanora, a famous adventurer and businessman. I still recall the day he conceived his revolutionary enterprise: he proposed the idea of building passenger balloons that shared the principle─if not the purpose─of Ixali dirigibles. His company was the very first air travel service in the realm, and marked the birth of Highwind Skyways. Of course, it was not until around thirty years later, when Cid Garlond brought airship technology to Eorzea, that flights between cities became a regular occurrence.
Those were the days, though... If I close my eyes I can still see the workshop─can still hear our excited optimism as Tatanora and I worked tirelessly on the construction of that first balloon... Ahem. Pray excuse an old man his reminiscing. What were we speaking of? Ah yes, “lathes.†I believe the lathe Master Tataramu refers to was the one we used in the old Fallgourd workshop. ...But I'm afraid the place was shut down and dismantled for lumber after Tatabaru assumed management of the company. It was the end of an era, after all.
Colson Wrote:“Spread your wings and soarâ€... That is the Skyways slogan. When I first heard Tatanora utter that phrase, I knew at that moment what my life's work would be.
Quote:By pioneering the sky routes between the realm's major cities and establishing regular flights along them, Highwind Skyways, an institution founded by the exorbitantly wealthy aristocrat and adventurer Tatanora, is now slowly but surely making commercial flight an ordinary aspect of everyday life in Eorzea.
Tataramu Wrote:"For my dear friend, Dezul Qualan. On these wings I pledge our everlasting bond. -Tatanora"
“Tatanora†is my grandsire. He is the man who founded Highwind Skyways, forty-six years ago. And I'm fairly certain we've all heard that second name before... ...Then it was true. I speak of an old rumor. 'Twas said that Grandfather's company was built on his “appropriation†of beastman aeronautics─that all the balloons he flew were naught more than base imitations of Ixali-made vessels. 'Tis a rumor that was officially denied. And any mention has been thoroughly expunged from written records on the assertion that even unfounded claims of stolen beastman technology would unduly harm Highwind Skyways' reputation. I had thought it merely the rumblings of rivals, sick with envy at Grandfather's success.
Tatabaru Wrote:What is it you wish to do, boy? If you want to tinker with airships, the company has them in abundance. I'll have Colson arrange for one of those new Garlond Ironworks models to be docked in a spare hangar...
Tataramu Wrote:'Twas a shaky start, but the Dezul Qualan and I both returned unharmed! And we reached our target altitude of five thousand yalms─that's higher than any Eorzean airship has ever flown! A new aeronautic record! ...Unofficial, though it may be.
Sightseeing Vista #45 Wrote:South Shroud Landing
Constructed by Highwind Skyways to serve as a landing for cargo airships, this location quickly abandoned when the imperial presence in the area became too large to ignore. Now the site is used as a makeshift market where bandits and poachers peddle their ill-gotten wares far from the eyes of the law.
Tatabaru Wrote:'Tis the “Witch's Shroudâ€... Godsdammit, why now!? The sudden difference in aetherial density above the crown of the trees can produce turbulent air currents─a rare phenomenon peculiar to the Black Shroud and the bane of even the most seasoned airship pilot!
Styrmoeya Wrote:Goes without saying the bloody desert ain't got the resources of the other nations. But the merchants here got minds sharp as swords. And Ul'dahns are nothing if not perseverant. Still, this place is a pale shadow of what it once was. Merchants and travelers used to come from all over Hydaelyn till the Garleans blocked the trade routes.
Blandhem Wrote:An Ul'dahn airship was shot down by a Garlean battle cruiser to the southwest of here. We've bolstered the watch here at Camp Black Brush.
Highwind Skyways Timetable Wrote:Despite the effort put into meticulously scheduling scores of flights throughout the realm, the sad truth is that each and every airship will more than likely both arrive and depart late.
Ermiance Wrote:Are you aware of the airship landing to the northwest, betwixt the rivers Coerthas and Swiftrun? It is a favorite target of the dragons who fly out of Dravania which use the landing, but to little avail. As a result, fewer and fewer pilots are willing to risk the trip, preferring only to stop short in Millers' Glade before continuing west on to Gridania.
Heat of the Moment Wrote:Shortly after departing Millers' Glade in the Coerthas eastern lowlands, an airship carrying supplies to Gridania was attacked by a pair of dragons. Knowing that they did not have the firepower to dispatch the creatures, the pilot chose instead to outrun them. To do so, however, he gave the order to jettison several items in his cargo hold in order to lighten the airship, thus increasing its speed. Cheers of joy filled the vessel when it arrived safely in the Black Shroud, but when the pilot realized which cargo was abandoned, those cheers soon turned to shouts of anger, for the crates that were lost were owned by one of the wealthiest noble families in Ishgard. The Horn and Hand has determined this a most opportune chance to improve our faction's standing in the mountain city-state, and so we seek volunteers to travel to the wreckage and assist in recovering the crates before bandits come across the items and claim them for themselves.
Cid nan Garlond Wrote:The Holy See has petitioned the Ironworks for assistance with this creation of theirs, the Protector. Apparently, they just can't seem to get her flying. Anyway, I came to Camp Cloudtop to cast an eye over the ship, only to learn that you had arrived some few days before with an Ishgardian lordling in tow.
Sightseeing Vista #022 Wrote:Camp Cloudtop
An outpost manned by the Rose Knights of House Haillenarte, who stand watch against Dravanian incursions from atop the floating islets in the sky. Boasts the Protector, a mighty airship that would avail the Ishgardians greatly in their battle against the Horde were it ever repaired to full strength.
Cid Wrote:The Skysteel Manufactory. This workshop is primarily devoted to the construction of dragon-slaying weapons. The Ishgardians have granted us the use of a small corner of their workshop─all part of the agreement. I think you'll see we've made the most of the space... We call it a “manacutterâ€!
Impressive little thing, isn't she? My talent for ship design has plainly rubbed off on them. They've adapted the principles of corrupted crystal technology, and constructed a mechanism which converts aether from its surroundings into elemental wind. Said wind is then harnessed by the specially engineered sails, providing the craft with propulsion and lift. All in all, a most elegant solution...
...I'm actually a little upset that I didn't think of it myself.
Manacutter Wrote:Supervised (in spirit) by the ever-absent Cid, Biggs and Wedge (with a little bending over by Biggs) put their heads together to create this flight-ready miniature airship, powered by the realm's first corrupted crystal engine.
Wind-Up Airship Wrote:Despite it being the first, and most ambitious undertaking by Highwind Skyways founder Tatanora, the Invincible actually never took flight, its ten-year construction period plagued by accidents, material shortages, sabotage, and outright incompetence.
Gloria-class Airship Wrote:Taking inspiration from the half-remembered dream of his grandfather Tatanora, Tatamaru used his encyclopedic knowledge to design a small-scale version of a rotary-winged airship. Its name derives from an airship that appears in an obscure novel of unknown origins.
Model Enterprise Wrote:The original Enterprise was designed and built while Garlond family prodigy Cid was still working as a military engineer for the Garlean Empire. The aft crane, intended for the loading of imperial weaponry, was added to the airship in the days before Cid's defection.
In short, Eorzean airship technology is less than 50 years old and was invented by "borrowing" Ixali engineering. Because airships are so costly to make and construction time is so long, very few models exist and most are used for cargo/military operations. Only recently (within the last 10-15 years) have they been used for civilian transportation.
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Aetheryte and Teleportation Lore Compilation
*Note: Heavensward Spoiler Text removed from quote for safe viewing!
Also, text from a 1.0 NPC... hehe found ol' Yuyuhase...
Also, from the 1.0 archives:
Quote:Q: We’re told that the Sharlayans helped rebuild the aetherytes in A Realm Reborn, but a long time ago, like 2010, we were told that those aetherytes were there when people arrived and perhaps that’s why they chose to settle. Who made those?
MCKF: Nobody knows! Even the Sharlayans don’t know. Maybe it was the Allag, maybe it was people before that. It could have been a lot of people. They were there, they were useful, and after people come back to rebuild after Calamities, they rebuilt around these useful things. Sharlayan was able to adapt it, but they have no idea who created it. In the Dravanian hinterlands, there’s actually an aetheryte factory. I don’t think it’s named on the map, but go look for it.
Camate Wrote:What is an aetheryte?
Aetherytes are colossal structures comprised of crystallized aether. So that they may serve as waypoints for aetherial travel, these crystals have been amplified through the use of advanced Sharlayan technology.
Why doesn't everyone use aetherytes?
To traverse the Lifestream safely with Teleport and Return requires a great deal of spiritual energy, known as anima. While many individuals, such as adventurers, possess the fortitude to endure such travel, some individuals do not. What’s more, even if one has the ability to use aetherytes, the frequency with which one can do so varies. In essence, for some, the recast time for these spells can be far longer than for an adventurer.
As a result, only a fraction of the populace can utilize aetherial travel habitually, which is why chocobos, airships, and other forms of transportation still play a major role in Eorzea.
Why does it cost gil to use aetherytes?
Many aetheryte camps were destroyed during the Calamity, which necessitated their reconstruction. However, this came at great expense, and so teleportation fees must be collected to repay the as yet unpaid debt.
However, the gil doesn’t just magically disappear from your purse! Though it's not shown in the game, it's collected by the guards keeping watch of the aetherytes.
On a side note, guards posted by each city-state's aetheryte can tell you about aetherytes and teleportation magic. If you're interested, see what they have to say!
(10-18-2014, 10:40 AM)Sounsyy Wrote: So, I did as Camate suggested and visited the guards around the city-states aetherytes. Here's what Nicia in Gridania had to say:
What is aetherial travel?
Nicia Wrote:Before one might understand aetherial travel, one must first understand the substance that makes it possible - aether. What is aether you ask? Why, only the source of all being! Though it cannot be seen, it is everywhere... or should I say, it is everything. Aether flows around us and within us, and without it we would cease to exist.
When we die, it is believed that the shock separates our spirits from our corporeal forms. Our bodies are then broken down and are absorbed back into the aetherial river, while the soul is left to journey to its final destination in the afterlife. Some call this "returning to the lifestream." However, our ancestors discovered ways in which, through meditation and focus of spiritual energies, one could reduce her body to aether without losing the grip on her soul, in turn allowing for travel upon the Lifestream. These methods have been given the names Return and Teleport.
What is an Aetheryte?
Nicia Wrote:As you travel through Eorzea, you will oft come across large floating deposits of a crystalline substance known as aetheryte. The one before us here is a fine example. It is said that aetheryte is the solid manifestation of the planet's lifeblood, aether, and that by touching it, the aether which makes up our bodies resonates with that contained in the crystal. This is called "attunement."
Normally, when one's body is reduced to aether, it will naturally gravitate to the location with which it resonates the greatest - or one's "home point." This is why upon losing consciusness in battle, many wake to find themselves back at an aetheryte. In other words, aetheryte act as lodestones, assuring that the body, in its aetherial form, is not lost to the pull of the greater flow. And, because signatures of past attunements are maintained within our bodies, it is possible (with some spiritual training, of course) to ignore the pull back to the strongest resonation, and travel to another beacon. Many refer to this as "Teleportation."
What is even more amazing is that when teleporting, we can "carry" those with whom we have created a bond, such as an adventuring party - assuming they have previously attuned with the desination aetheryte.
What is the difference between Return and Teleport?
Nicia Wrote:As Return merely involves allowing the body to be drawn back to the strongest aetherial beacon - one's home point - it is fairly easy to execute and requires very little spiritual exertion. Usually, a few moments of rest is all that is needed before it is safe to attempt another jump. Teleportation, on the other hand, comes with a greater price. A great deal of spiritual energy known as "anima" is required to fight the natural flow of the Lifestream and guide one's body and soul to a comparatively weak aetherial beacon. If one's body lacks sufficient anima, teleporting to a location may prove impossible. Luckily for most of us, anima is restored quickly and should not prohibit regular travel.
Then why, you ask, must we pay gil when using Telport? Well, after the Calamity, many of the existing aetheryte camps were destroyed. To relocate and rebuild them required a large sum of money, much of which was lent by certain men of business from Ul'dah. The gil you pay when either leaving from or arriving at an aetheryte goes to paying off that debt.
Just to be thorough, I went and talked to Sundhimal in Limsa Lominsa and Nenebaru in Ul'dah about Aetherytes as well. They say almost verbatim the same thing, with only slight variation of wording on the flavor text in between the important bits.
*Note: Heavensward Spoiler Text removed from quote for safe viewing!
Urianger Wrote:The very first that man did conceive to traverse great distances, and the ancient precursor to all methods of travel that utilize the Lifestream: Flow.
The spell entaileth the reduction of the corporeal form into its constituent aether, that the caster might enter the Lifestream and ride its currents thereby. Unlike the teleportation magicks of modern times, it requireth not a lengthy incantation.
Know that the scholars of Sharlayan forbade the use of this spell - and with good reason. The caster hath but limited control over his course. For every mage who came safe unto his destination, another would be set adrift in the Lifestream, never to emerge.
Also, text from a 1.0 NPC... hehe found ol' Yuyuhase...
Lulumo Wrote:Don't mind ol' Yuyuhase. He ain't all there, if you read me. Anyway, the city asks that you take care not to use the aetheryte too freely. They have been known to break, after all. And these days, there are none left capable of restoring them.
Also, from the 1.0 archives:
Quote:Aetheryte is the name given to massive shards of crystallized aetheric mist, precisely cut and fused to arcane machinery. While it is not known when or by whom these devices were originally constructed, their teleportational qualities have become the backbone of everyday transportation throughout the realm, with most managed and operated by individual city-states. Their existence in Eorzea seems to be what drew scores of people to settle in the hostile land in the first place.
Though the exact mechanism behind teleportation via aetheryte is still largely a mystery, one theory states that when a sentient being approaches one of the portals, the aether that makes up its body resonates with the aether of the crystals, which in turn results in a complete breakdown of the being's mass, allowing it to temporarily return to the invisible aetheric streams that course throughout the planet.
The being's soul, which cannot be broken down, then guides the particles to a predetermined destination, and upon arrival, the corresponding aetheryte receptacle reconfigures the mist back into its original form. This whole process takes only a matter of moments, allowing for nearly instant transportation to faraway destinations.
However, being broken down to the aetheric level can take its toll on one's body, and rest is often required after several consecutive jumps, especially as the distance becomes greater. As a precaution, most city-states strongly discourage over-teleporting, as it can lead to irreversible damage...
Hope this helps! ^^
