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1[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aetherion.png]]
2''Aetherion'' is a [[FreewareGames freeware]] RolePlayingGame for [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PC]], made in UsefulNotes/RPGMaker VX by the same team that made ''VideoGame/{{Avarice}}'' -- Anaryu, Krisanna, and Solitayre. It was made in one month for a 2011 contest, the theme of which was surrealism.
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4The world of Aetherion is in constant danger of the malicious Raythe, evil spirits from another plane. They feed on human emotions and desires, taking the form of whatever their target is most frightened of. To prevent the Raythe from destroying the entire world, the Institute of Aether Research and Containment (ARC) was created. The Institute trains the most skilled magical students in the world to combat the Raythe and hold them at bay. They are constantly researching the Raythe and their strange home dimension, the Aether, to be more effective at fighting them. Their ultimate goal is to destroy the Raythe permanently, though they have a ways to go before accomplishing that.
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6The story centers around a young man by the name of Edan Mekaisto, a country boy who was recently selected to join the Institute. He's [[CloudCuckoolander not the sharpest tool in the shed]], but he hopes to fulfill ARC's expectations. Things go awry while he tries to find a mentor, however, and he soon finds himself wrapped up in the adventures of two older students, Flynn van Lucia and Alaria Reinhardt. Both of them seem to at odds with one another, and seem to have a DarkAndTroubledPast.
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8Gameplay-wise, it uses a battle system that is similar to ''VideoGame/{{Grandia}}'''s. A fast-paced ATB-like system is used, and the casting times of skills are major components of the strategy. Being hit while casting delays the technique, and if the casting energy is completely reduced to zero, the caster loses their turn. Each character also has two sets of skills -- attack and support -- with three skill levels on each. Characters can use weaker low-level skills to build up energy and unleash a powerful third-level skill.
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10The game can be downloaded [[http://rpgmaker.net/games/3410/ here.]] Due to the game's positive reception, the developers have expressed a desire to continue the storyline with new installments in the future. When this will happen has not been announced, however.
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12!!This game provides examples of the following tropes:
13* AnotherDimension: The [=Æther=] appears to be this.
14* BattleAura: [[spoiler:Edan gets one of these when he is exposed to the Phoenix's power during the final battle.]]
15* BlankWhiteEyes: Edan utilizes these.
16%%* BrainyBrunette: Alaria.
17* BrickBreak: Flynn's Thunderclap and Alaria's Shield Pierce.
18* CharacterPortrait: Tons, for almost every expression imaginable.
19* ChildProdigy: Possibly the entire Institute, but Alaria was definitely this when she was younger.
20%%* CloudCuckoolander: Edan, oh so much.
21%%* DyingAsYourself: [[spoiler:Ephrian.]]
22* ElementalEyeColors:
23** Alaria has IcyBlueEyes and uses Ice[=/=]Water magic attacks.
24** Inverted with Edan (who also have InnocentBlueEyes but uses fire magic) and Flynn (who have purple eyes, implying thunder, but uses wind).
25* ElementalPowers: Everyone seems to have magical powers based on one of the four Classical elements: Edan, Ephrian use [[PlayingWithFire fire]], Flynn use [[BlowYouAway wind]] and Alaria uses [[AnIcePerson ice]] and [[MakingASplash water]] spells. The "punk" that makes up the tutorial battle use [[DishingOutDirt earth magic]].
26** Anaryu says that some characters in future installments will have a blend of two elements, however.
27* ElementalRockPaperScissors: Averted. The developers say that they didn't want to base the strategy around this, seeing how it's been done to death in RolePlayingGames already.
28* FieryRedhead: Played straight and subverted at the same time. He's ''literally'' fiery, having [[PlayingWithFire fire-based powers]], but personality-wise, he's quite mellow and laid-back.
29* GlassCannon: Edan, who has powerful offensive skills that tend to attract enemy aggression, and weaker support skills.
30* GoodEyesEvilEyes: There seems to be ''something'' at play here; Edan has gigantic eyes, Alaria has more reasonable-sized ones, and Flynn has tiny eyes.
31* IdiotHero: Edan's solution to most problems is just "Punch it in the face."
32* JackOfAllStats: Alaria. She has a roughly even balance between offensive and defensive skills.
33* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: [[spoiler:Flynn.]]
34* LadyOfWar: Alaria.
35* LifeDrain: Edan's Incandescence skill.
36* LimitBreak: 4th-level skills, which will be present in the revamp. They come with a price, though; they leave the character in an "exhausted" state, forcing them to take double damage until their MP bar cools down.
37* MagicKnight: Alaria. Edan can be this too if you focus on his Spirit-based abilities.
38* NotQuiteDead: [[spoiler:Ephrian.]]
39* PointOfNoReturn: Once you head to the final dungeon, there's no turning back.
40* PreexistingEncounters: Enemies can be seen on the field as a moving black mist.
41* ShoutOut: At least two of the ultimate talents, as revealed in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvKSaSzmAkA&feature=player_embedded this]] video. Edan's is "VideoGame/DeusEx", Flynn's is "Videogame/MasterOfTheWind".
42* SoBeautifulItsACurse: Spoofed with Flynn, who jokingly cites this as the reason why everyone in the Institute hates him.
43* SquishyWizard: Flynn, oddly enough. He has the most healing and supportive skills out of the three characters, and his offensive skills are more geared towards debuffs and breaking than raw power.
44%%* StatusBuff: Lots.
45* SuperMovePortraitAttack: [[LimitBreak 4th-level skills]].
46* SupportingProtagonist: The majority of the plot revolves around Flynn and Alaria. Edan is just along for the ride.
47* UrbanFantasy: The technology level is quite modern, though magic powers appear to be commonplace as well.
48* TheVonTropeFamily: Flynn van Lucia.
49* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: [[spoiler:Ephrian]]. Justified, as [[spoiler:the Raythe were damaging his mind]].
50* WizardingSchool: The Institute is a modern form of this.

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