12.7.2 AETHERSPACE ENCOUNTERS

See also AETHERSHIP, AETHERSHIP CREWS, AETHERSHIP MODULES, AETHERSHIP ARTIFACTS
         AETHERSPACE, AETHERSPACE ENVIRONMENTS

Though it cannot be emphasized enough how vast aetherspace is, there are numerous creatures that inhabit the hostile environment. Aetheric creatures are either huge monstrosities or sometimes clusters of smaller creatures, most of which view algontherine entities as food. Thus, aetherships must always be vigilant against attack when traveling the aetherways. 

The most highly prized encounter is that of an energy vortex. If an aethership is equipped with one or more energy collectors, they can siphon power directly from these vortexes. This is not without its dangers, however, because siphoning energy attracts the attention of aether creatures as well as running the risk of getting sucked into the vortex and becoming ejected somewhere far away in the vastness of aetherspace. 

Dimensional rifts are gateways to other planes which experienced aethership commanders can navigate through. Other planes hold their own aetherways.

If you are attacked by an aethercreature, there is a possibility that parasites could infest your aethership, attaching itself to a module. It will feed on the module's energy, slowly damaging it. Further, these parasites will eventually begin to grow larger if not killed. The larger the parasite, the more they will damage the module.