You tear a fracture in the unseen threads that bind a creature’s life to reality. Choose one creature you can see within range. A shimmering, jagged rift of violet-white energy briefly flares around them as their Aether — the spiritual “glue” that holds their body together — begins to unravel.

The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, their form becomes unstable:

• They take 5d8 force damage, and

• Until the spell ends, they are Aether-Broken, suffering the following effects:

  • At the start of each of their turns, they take 2d8 force damage as their body fractures.

  • They have disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity checks and saving throws.

  • When they move, they leave afterimages that crackle with energy. Their speed is reduced by 10 feet.

On a successful save, they take half damage and suffer none of the ongoing effects.

If this damage reduces the creature to 0 HP, they shatter into drifting fragments of aether — effectively dead unless restored by true resurrection, wish, or an equally powerful effect.

Curse – The Aether’s Price

Casting Aether Break tears your connection to the Weave as well.

Each time you cast the spell, you suffer a cumulative curse:

Aether Fracture (Caster Consequences)

After the spell ends, you must roll a DC 12 Constitution saving throw.

• Fail: One of your own aether strands snaps. You gain 1 level of Aether Fracture (a lingering curse).

• Success: You resist the backlash — this time.

Effects of Aether Fracture

For each level of Aether Fracture you currently have:

• You have disadvantage on death saving throws.

• Your maximum hit points are reduced by 5.

• Small cracks of light flicker from your skin or aura, visible under dim lighting.

If you ever reach 4 levels of Aether Fracture:

Catastrophic Collapse

Your physical form destabilizes beyond repair. Your body shatters into harmless drifting shards of aether. You die instantly and cannot be resurrected except by wish or divine intervention.

A healer may attempt to remove one level of Aether Fracture by casting greater restoration at 5th-level or higher.