Editing Gethin (section)

== The Aether Thrones ==
{{Quote|Carved from earth, flung toward heaven, and tethered by light unseen — the Aether Thrones were not built, but born.}}

The '''[[Aether Thrones]]''' are the noble seats of Gethin's highest aristocracy: island-valleys severed from the surface of [[Levens]] in some forgotten age and set adrift above it, drifting slower than cloud, trailing hanging roots and veiled waterfalls [1]. To hold a Throne is to be counted among the highest nobility of the realm; those who do are styled '''Thronelords''', '''Aether Lords''', or in older usage '''the Aetherbound'''.

Each Throne contains a fragment or conduit of an ancient nexus-gate system, distinct from the [[sterf]] network in that it permits movement ''within'' a sphere rather than between them — the instantaneous relocation of armies, courts, or royal persons across continents [1]. Possession of the Thrones made Gethin's home sphere effectively untouchable for centuries. Their loss crippled the kingdom's military reach and bound its armies to the ground, dependent upon the sterfs like any commoner.

The Thrones are believed to remain functional. Without the codes, keys, or attunement required to wake them, they are inert.

Named Thrones include '''[[Aeryth Yaruun]]''', a vast island-valley whose stewardship fell to '''Lord Mallin Crey''', and which hosted the great tourney at [[Levens]].