Traits
Inherited Traits
Telepathy
Aeraesarians are inherently gifted with telepathy. It is a trait which shows quite early, arguably from birth in some ways, and is nurtured as naturally for their kind as crawling or walking. This is most effective when paired with physical touch, preformed in a somewhat ritualistic way.
Telekinesis
Another seemingly supernatural trait shared by all Aeraesarians is the ability to move objects with their mind. Unlike their telepathy, this is a trait with a ranging aptitude among their people.
Magic
Of all the Aeraesarian traits, none has a wider aptitude range than the use of magic. Most can preform relatively impressive feats of magic, making it is no small thing to be called a sorcerer among them. Aeraesarians can manifest their magic through the power of thought, but have also been known to employ verbal or written spells in some instances.
Aerai magic can manifest in a variety of ways, but it typically resembles light and fire. Some more dedicated spell-casters achieve sway over other elements as well.
Physiology
Aeraesarian physiology is incredibly robust and resilient. They are natural inheritors of great strength, stamina, and endurance, as well as a formidable immune system - it is rare for an Aeraesarian to fall ill. They can go long periods of time without food or drink, especially once made autotrophic, and can withstand a variety of environments with relative comfort. Their hearing is very acute, followed closely by their sight. They can see clearly at night with only minimal light with clarity, though lacking the vibrancy of colour the sun provides.
Acquired Traits
Many, but not all Aerai, go through a variety of rituals, usually during their early life, which change the way they carry out their lives. These are some of the positive effects.
Autotrophic
While Aeraesarians do eat and drink like most other creatures of Arethil, they can also draw sustenance from the light of the sun. This, however, is not an inherited trait, and only occurs after a ritual joining them to the collective consciousness of the Shoraes, known simply as The Joining. Once this takes place the necessity for food is greatly diminished, however not removed. Most Aeraesarians eat 4-6 times a month, eating a large meat portion only once or twice.
Collective Consciousness
The collective consciousness, called The Shoraes by the Aeraesarians, is a complex and invisible network connecting each and every individual to undergo The Joining. Within this collective, individuals are both one and many. Many decades are spent training the mind to first of all survive the joining ritual, as well as retain one's own self when joined with so many others. Thoughts, memories and emotions are all shared throughout this collective, from even they who have passed on into death. Because of this, Aeraesarians as a whole are remarkably efficient in almost all regards, as a need within their society is often met almost as soon as it is identified.
Negative Traits
Hubris
One of the most detrimental traits that most Aerai seem to fall victim too, is overconfidence. It is no secret that the Aerai are as a whole an impressive people, but they are not without their shortcomings. Though these are often overshadowed, often to the point of arrogant ignorance.
Dark Magic
The Aerai are a species who seem to be inherently touched by what they call the Light. Though this could mean a variety of things from literal to metaphorical, in the case of the Aerai it does seem to reflect something of substance. Their inherited appearance is by and large totally quite fair and even radiant. Their inherent magics often reflect elements of lighting and fire, both things that create light. The crystal which their very bodies become infused with gives them the ability to gather sustenance from the light of the sun - their very beings become reliant on light to a degree.
Aerai often find their powers to clash quite furiously with users of darker magics, either being canceled out or overpowered altogether with sometimes relative ease. Aerai who are too reliant on their magical abilities can find these situations to become fatal.
Autotrophic
Though it has proven to be of great benefit in many regards, their reliance on the sun is in many ways a double edged sword. Aerai become incredibly weakened in the use of their powers when kept from the light of the sun for far too long. Some even notice an immediate change when the sun's light fades.
Over time, even with supplemented sustenance this greatly effects them, and it can even lead to their eventual demise. Since the curse that befell their homeland has taken hold and the sky has been cast in darkness, the Aerai have found that apart from leaving their cursed land to find solace in the sun's light, only frequent contact with the Shorai itself mitigates this lack.
Collective Consciousness
For as much as their telepathy is a gift and great benefit to the Aerai as a whole, it also has the potential to be a great danger. Though Aerai are taught and trained from an early age to be mentally quite resilient, not only for the purpose of joining their collective but to also shield their minds from the unwanted intrusion of others. An unwanted violation of a joined Aerai's mind has the potential to not only unveil the individual's thoughts, but reveal the thoughts of their people as a whole to one so adept in the manipulation of the mind.