It is naturally generated within the core of the Otherworld and moves outward through the planet, eventually dispersing into the land, water, atmosphere, and living things. Although invisible under normal circumstances, Ether is present almost everywhere in the Otherworld and can be drawn upon by those capable of using magic.
Small amounts of Ether also pass into the Human World. This is why magic can still be practiced there, although it is generally weaker and less abundant than in the Otherworld.
Ether
Ether is the fifth element. It is the power that allows magic to happen.
A practitioner draws Ether from the surrounding environment and uses it to manipulate the Elements. The amount of Ether required depends on the type and scale of the magic being performed.
Ether can also be concentrated and stored. Modern Ethranomics uses pure Ether as a power source for Ethra machines, allowing magical energy to be directed through gears and mechanisms without a traditional spellcaster.
The Elements
The Elements are the natural forces and materials that magic acts upon. Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Ether, Life, and Death are the seven Elements used to cast magic. By combining these elements, practitioners may perform spells and even invent new spells. Ether must always be present, and each spell uses a unique combination of other elements. For example: Ether, Water, and Air combinations result in an Ice spell (or a waterspout depending on the casters intention).
Other spells may rely on several Elements working together, with the balance between them affecting the final result.
The same principles appear throughout many branches of magic. Potions use ingredients carrying particular elemental properties. Floramancy and Zoomancy work closely with Life. Healing Arts depends heavily on the manipulation of Life and the restoration of damaged natural processes. Dark Studies frequently encounters Death in forms most other departments prefer to avoid.