Aether

Aether is a lighter-than-air gaseous substance that has a number of applications, most notably allowing the use of airships.

Origins
Aether occurs naturally in some areas of Cor Nova, and appears to have a relationship to geology. Natural vents (typically found among mountains or canyons) allow aether to escape into the atmosphere. When these vents occur aboveground (called terrestrial vents), aether appears as whitish wisps that ascend rapidly into the air. Underwater, the vents produce seemingly limitless streams of silvery bubbles that rushing upward, creating “aether boils” on the surface. Whether aether forms as a result of chemical reaction between substances in the crust or merely seeps from areas lower down is unclear. While aether seems to be a highly non-reactive substance, it is not breathable and will suffocate a human within a minute or two. However, there are some plant and animal species that rely on aether as part of their life cycle.

Use in Aetheronautics
Aether is collected for use in airships and other applications primarily through underwater vents. A system of “bells” suspended above aether vents capture aether bubbles, directing the aether into a series of casks. A compression mill (usually powered by a wind or water mill) then compresses the aether into sequentially higher-pressure casks. This operation makes the collection of aether an expensive and dangerous business. Some methods have shown promise with collecting aether from terrestrial vents, but underwater vents continue to be the standard.

On board a ship, aether is most commonly contained in casks in the shipcore. When needed, the machinist releases aether into the envelopes, treated canvas gasbags filled with sea sponges. When the ship needs to descend, the aether is released to the atmosphere via valves in the envelopes.