Ether/Lore

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Yixuan/Yunkui Summit ether manipulation techniques

Ether is a naturally occurring substance in the world of Zenless Zone Zero. It is highly abundant in Hollows and it corrupts and consumes all organic matter, as well as most inorganic materials. Living beings exposed to Ether in the Hollows without protection will gradually fall ill and be transformed into Ethereals.

The old capital, Eridu, developed technology to extract Ether from Hollows and use it as a resource. New Eridu continues to utilize this technology today.

Characteristics

The level and concentration of Ether within a particular area is known as "Ether activity." Ether can gather and surge in currents, which periodically strike the ground similarly to lightning strikes. These currents can be drawn and absorbed by Etheric towers.^[1] Unstable and/or sudden increases in Ether activity are sometimes described as turbulence, which typically dissipates over time.^[2]

The Ether environment varies from Hollow to Hollow.^[3] Different areas in the Hollows have different Ether levels, and low-activity areas can be inhabited for extended periods of time without suffering adverse effects.

Lemnian Hollow has a unique type of Ether known as Miasma, which can also be found in Hollow Zero through connecting fissures.^[4] Miasma typically manifests as a liquid, and large masses of Miasma often condense into pools on the ground or evolve into more complex structures like Miasma Tumors.^[5]

The ability to tolerate Ether is known as "Ether aptitude." Ether aptitude changes as an individual grows, typically plateauing at adulthood. It can be measured by Ether aptitude test kits, which are supplied at medical supply stores or Hollow specialty stores.^[6] A score of 50 points is considered having an Ether aptitude, with anything scoring higher presumably considered a strong/high aptitude.^[7] Individuals with strong Ether aptitudes can withstand high levels of Ether, such as many areas in Hollow Zero.^[8] Thirens and Intelligent Constructs tend to have higher Ether aptitudes than humans on average.^[9]

Corruption

Ether is primarily ingested through respiration.^[10] Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to Ether corruption.^{[citation needed]}

Ether corruption manifests in the form of crystals on organic matter. Corruption can be held off by inhibitors and anti-corruption serum, though these are only temporary measures. Symptoms of corruption include dizziness, headaches, burning sensations and bodily pain, nausea, hallucinations, cardiac arrest, internal damage to organs, loss of sensory functions, and being rendered comatose.^{[11][12][13][14]} The ultimate stage of corruption for humanoid beings is the transformation into an Ethereal. When a person is fully corrupted, they may retain some human characteristics in their new form and be more difficult to fight than typical Ethereals.^[12][15] Corrupted individuals have increased physical strength and act aggressively, though their sentience is largely degraded, often fighting the people they formerly knew. Killing them is seen as an act of mercy and the only way to let them rest in peace.^[16]

Though Thirens have excellent Ether aptitude, once they are subjected to corruption, the process happens faster than it does to humans. Corruption begins with the hair, and even staying in the Hollows for a safe period of time can cause hair to become dry and split.^[17]

Most food in the Hollows gets corrupted in a matter of hours. St. Leen has developed nutrition packs and mineral water that resist corruption, making them safe for consumption. According to one Inter-Knot user, hardtack is not advised because it makes pressure increase very quickly. Milk is also not advised for unexplained reasons.^[18]

Ether Aptitude Regression Syndrome

Ether Aptitude Regression Syndrome, abbreviated as EARS, is a chronic illness that manifests as high Ether aptitude for the majority of the affected person's life until it reaches late-stage. In the late stages of EARS, the person's body will deteriorate rapidly and they lose sensory perception, and even the slightest exposure to Ether will cause corruption. There is no known complete cure.

People with EARS are naturally frail and have lesions appearing on their skin.^[19] This illness drastically shortens the affected person's lifespan, with the oldest known case living to be 26 years old.^[20]

Treatment

The Jonathan Medical research team can partially reverse Ether corruption, though their current technology only treats small areas that have been exposed for a short duration of time. There are still many technological advances to be made to meet public expectations when it comes to dealing with corruption and restoring damaged devices.^[21]

Ether Resources

One of the main motivations of Hollow Raiders is gathering Ether resources to make a profit.^[22]

Ether can manifest as Ether crystal stalagmites. Mechanized mining is the standard for extracting these stalagmites, though when Eridu was first built, people mined them by hand.^[23] Mining Ether resources can destabilize the Hollow they are located in.^[24]

Ether resources extracted from the Hollows are used to create Ether technology, such as the Ether Plating Agent.^[25]

Change History

References

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