Aerial Fishing

“Hunting the Sky”

“They swim through void like fish through water. We hunt them like our ancestors hunted the seas. The Aether provides—if you’re skilled enough to catch it.”
—Aerial fisher saying

Quick Reference

Aerial Fishing - Hunting the Sky

Overview

Aerial fishing is the practice of catching Aether-Fish and other void-dwelling creatures for food. It is one of the most important food-gathering activities in the post-Shattering world, providing the primary protein source for many settlements. Where agriculture provides grains and vegetables, aerial fishing provides meat.

The practice combines elements of ocean fishing (nets, lines, patience) with unique challenges of the Aether environment (zero gravity, three-dimensional movement, invisible currents). Skilled aerial fishers can read Aether-Currents, predict fish migration patterns, and cast nets with precision that seems supernatural.

It’s dangerous work. Fishers work at island edges where one misstep means falling forever. Equipment failures can send fishers drifting into the void. And predators like Storm-Serpents sometimes attack fishing vessels. Yet communities depend on this harvest, and aerial fishers are respected for their skill and courage.

Target Species

Aether-Fish

Primary Target: 90% of catches

Characteristics: - 30-60cm long - Bioluminescent (blue-green glow) - Swim in schools (hundreds to thousands) - Harmless, docile - Feed on Aether itself (mechanism unknown)

Behavior: - Migrate with Aether-Currents - Spawn near islands (seasonal) - Active day and night - Avoid predators (Storm-Serpents)

Value: - Excellent protein source - Mild, pleasant taste - Preserves well (smoking, salting) - 2-3 Coins per kg

Catch Method: Net-casting, line fishing

Cloud-Hoppers

Secondary Target: 8% of catches

Characteristics: - Small (15-25cm) - Fluffy, cloud-like appearance - Bounce through Aether - Curious, playful - Edible but less desirable

Behavior: - Solitary or small groups - Approach islands and ships - Easy to catch (too curious) - Some consider them good luck (don’t catch)

Value: - Acceptable protein - Gamey taste - 1 Coin per kg

Catch Method: Hand-catching, small nets

Void-Whales

Rare Target: 1% of catches

Characteristics: - Enormous (10-30m long) - Majestic, slow-moving - Harmless - Extremely rare

Hunting: - Controversial (some consider it wrong) - Requires multiple ships - Dangerous (whale can damage ships) - Enormous yield (tons of meat)

Value: - Massive protein source - Can feed settlement for months - 50-100 Coins per whale - Cultural taboo in some communities

Catch Method: Harpoons, coordinated hunting

Predators to Avoid

Storm-Serpents: - Aggressive hunters - Attack fishing vessels - Lightning-fast - Deadly

Avoidance: Watch for storm activity, retreat if spotted

Fishing Methods

Edge-Fishing

Location: Island edges

Setup: - Fishing platforms built at island edge - Safety railings (often inadequate) - Tether points (prevent falls)

Technique: 1. Scout for fish schools (visual or current-reading) 2. Cast weighted net into void 3. Wait for fish to enter net 4. Pull net back to island 5. Sort catch, release unwanted species

Equipment: - Long poles (5-10m) - Weighted nets (Sky-Kelp fiber) - Tethers (safety lines) - Baskets (store catch)

Crew: 2-4 fishers per platform

Yield: 10-50 kg per day

Danger: Falls, equipment failure, predators

Skiff-Fishing

Location: Open Aether (away from islands)

Vessel: Small fishing skiff (1-2 person)

Technique: 1. Sail to known fishing grounds 2. Drift in zero-g 3. Cast nets in three dimensions 4. Haul catch aboard 5. Return to island

Equipment: - Fishing skiff (small, maneuverable) - Multiple nets - Storage containers - Emergency supplies

Crew: 1-3 fishers

Yield: 50-200 kg per trip

Danger: Getting lost, storms, predators, equipment failure

Advantage: Can follow fish schools, access better fishing grounds

Line-Fishing

Location: Island edges or skiffs

Technique: 1. Bait hook (using smaller fish or bait) 2. Cast line into Aether 3. Wait for bite 4. Reel in catch

Equipment: - Fishing rod (long, flexible) - Line (Sky-Kelp fiber) - Hooks (iron or bone) - Bait

Yield: 1-10 kg per day

Advantage: Selective (can target specific fish)

Usage: Recreational, supplemental income

Current-Fishing

Advanced Technique: Fishing in Aether-Currents

Method: 1. Locate current with high fish concentration 2. Position net in current flow 3. Let current drive fish into net 4. Retrieve net

Skill Required: Expert (must read currents accurately)

Yield: 100-500 kg per trip (very productive)

Danger: High (currents can sweep fishers away)

Practitioners: Experienced fishers, Storm-Sailors

Equipment and Tools

Nets

Material: Sky-Kelp fiber (strong, light, rot-resistant)

Types: - Cast Nets: Circular, weighted edges (10-20m diameter) - Drag Nets: Long, towed behind skiffs (50-100m) - Trap Nets: Stationary, baited (left overnight)

Cost: 50-200 Coins (depending on size)

Lifespan: 2-5 years (with maintenance)

Maintenance: Daily inspection, monthly repairs

Poles and Rods

Material: Ironwood (flexible, strong)

Length: 5-15m (depending on use)

Function: Extend reach, provide leverage

Cost: 20-100 Coins

Lifespan: 10-20 years

Safety Equipment

Tethers: Rope attached to fisher and island - Prevents falls - 50m length typical - Mandatory (but not always used)

Harnesses: Worn by fishers - Attach to tethers - Distribute force if falling - 10 Coins

Emergency Beacons: Signal lights - If fisher falls, beacon activates - Rescue possible if seen quickly - Rare (expensive)

Preservation Equipment

Smoking Racks: Preserve fish through smoking - Built at fishing settlements - Can preserve hundreds of kg - Smoked fish lasts months

Salt Barrels: Salt-curing - Salt expensive (imported) - Very effective preservation - Salted fish lasts years

Ice Boxes: Keep fish fresh (rare) - Only in settlements with ice access - Expensive to maintain

Fishing Settlements

Windmere Farms

Role: Agricultural settlement with fishing supplement

Fishing: Edge-fishing from island perimeter

Yield: 20-30% of food supply from fishing

Notable: Combines farming and fishing successfully

Coastal Settlements

Multiple Small Islands: Dedicated fishing communities

Population: 50-200 per settlement

Economy: 80-90% dependent on fishing

Trade: Fish for grain, tools, supplies

Culture: Maritime traditions adapted to Aether

Challenges: Isolated, vulnerable to fish migration changes

Floating Market

Role: Mobile trading hub

Fishing: Skiff-fishing while traveling

Yield: Supplemental (not primary food source)

Trade: Buys fish from fishing settlements, sells to cities

Economic Impact

Food Security

Importance: Primary protein source for most settlements

Dependency: 40-60% of protein from Aether-Fish

Alternative: Without fishing, settlements would face protein shortage

Stability: Fish populations seem stable (so far)

Employment

Fishers: 5-10% of population in coastal settlements

Support Jobs: Net-makers, boat-builders, fish-processors

Seasonal: Some settlements have seasonal fishing (migration patterns)

Trade

Export: Fishing settlements export preserved fish

Import: Need grain, tools, supplies

Value: Preserved fish worth 3-5 Coins per kg

Trade Routes: Regular fish shipments to cities

Dangers and Challenges

Falls

Risk: Fishers work at island edges

Frequency: 5-10 deaths per year (across all settlements)

Prevention: Tethers, railings, training

Reality: Many fishers don’t use tethers (restrict movement)

Predators

Storm-Serpents: Attack fishing vessels

Frequency: Rare but devastating

Response: Retreat, abandon catch, pray

Deaths: 2-3 per year

Equipment Failure

Net Breaks: Fish escape, fisher may fall

Tether Snaps: Fisher falls into void

Skiff Damage: Stranded in Aether

Prevention: Regular maintenance, quality equipment

Reality: Poor fishers use worn equipment (can’t afford replacement)

Fish Migration

Problem: Fish schools follow Aether-Currents

Effect: Fishing grounds can suddenly become barren

Impact: Settlement food crisis

Adaptation: Follow migrations, diversify food sources

Cultural Aspects

Fisher Traditions

Blessing: Pray to The Voyager before fishing

First Catch: First fish of day returned to Aether (offering)

Respect: Never waste fish, use entire catch

Songs: Fishers sing while working (pass time, coordinate)

Superstitions

Good Luck: - Seeing Void-Whale (rare) - Cloud-Hopper landing on boat - Blue Aether-Fish (rare color variant)

Bad Luck: - Whistling while fishing (summons storms) - Killing Cloud-Hopper (some believe) - Counting fish before returning to island

Coming of Age

Tradition: First solo fishing trip marks adulthood

Age: 14-16 years old

Test: Must catch fish alone, return safely

Significance: Proves skill, courage, readiness

Quest Hooks

1. The Big Catch: Help fishers land rare Void-Whale
2. The Migration: Fish vanish, settlement faces starvation (find new grounds?)
3. The Predator: Storm-Serpent hunting fishing fleet (kill or drive off?)
4. The Rescue: Fisher fell into void (rescue mission)
5. The Poachers: Illegal fishing in protected waters (stop them?)
6. The New Grounds: Discover rich fishing area (valuable information)
7. The Competition: Fishing contest (prove skill)
8. The Tradition: Participate in coming-of-age fishing trip
9. The Mystery: Fish dying mysteriously (investigate cause)
10. The Storm: Must fish during approaching storm (desperate need)

Related Topics

• Aether-Fish - Primary target species
• Cloud-Hoppers - Secondary target
• Void-Whales - Rare, controversial target
• Storm-Serpents - Predator danger
• Aether-Currents - Fish migration patterns
• Sky-Kelp - Net material
• Windmere Farms - Fishing settlement

“The Aether provides. Fish swim through void like our ancestors’ fish swam through seas. We adapt, we learn, we survive. That’s what humans do.”
—Fisher’s prayer

“I’ve been fishing forty years. Lost three friends to falls, two to serpents, one to a storm. But every morning, I cast my net. Because people need to eat. And someone has to feed them.”
—Old fisher’s reflection

“They say fishing is peaceful. They’re wrong. It’s terrifying. You’re dangling over infinity, hoping your tether holds, hoping the fish come, hoping a serpent doesn’t. But when you haul in a full net? That moment makes it worth it.”
—Young fisher’s account