Aether Crystals are the crystallized form of raw magic. They are different from Mana in that they form from the condensation of ambient magical energy (Aether) in the air, water, or ground, rather than being processed by an organism like Mana is. This means that it requires special knowledge (specifically the Siphon Aether spell) in order to transfer the power held within an Aether Crystal into your own Mana pool.

However, releasing the energies of an Aether Crystal into the air is quite easy, and channeling that energy into a ritual is a standard means of powering such magics. Ritualists can consume a number of Aether Crystals equal to their Aether Channeling attribute to add to the Ritual Power of a ritual they are taking part in.

Aether Crystals are also used in the construction of magical devices or permanent magical arrays, essentially acting as fuel rods to power a magical effect or attractors to draw in ambient Aether.