ethe

Ethe is a term used in fantasy and speculative fiction to denote a hypothetical primordial substance or field that underlies reality. It is not a real-world chemical or scientifically defined energy, but a narrative device used to explain magic, consciousness, or advanced technology. In many works, ethe is described as a luminous, formless medium that pervades space and interacts with matter, energy, and living beings in ways that enable spellcasting, teleportation, or psionic effects. Its properties and rules vary by author and work, with some portrayals treating ethe as a finite resource that can be mined or siphoned, while others describe it as an ambient field that characters manipulate through training, ritual, or technology.

Origins of the concept often trace to older ideas such as ether, but ethe is typically defined anew for each fictional setting. The term's exact etymology is uncertain and largely depends on the author's intent; it is generally regarded as a constructed or fictional term rather than a term with established real-world usage.

See also: Ether, mana, energy field, psionics.