Aether-Sphere Teams of Aethervale

The Aether-Sphere league is comprised of teams representing the major powers and factions of the world. While some play for honor, many are used as political tools or vanity projects by the wealthy and powerful.

The Steamfort Ironclads

• Sponsor: Forge-Lord Valin Stonefist
• Playstyle: "The Wall." Heavily reliant on Bastions and physical Tackling. They wear specialized steam-powered plate armor that grants them advantage on Strength saves.
• Star Player: "Iron" Thrum, a goliath Bastion who has never been knocked prone in three seasons.
• Home Arena: The Forge-Heart Stadium, Steamfort.

The Kigum Arcanists

• Sponsor: Aurelius the Golden (via the Grand Arcane Bank)
• Playstyle: "The Weave." They prioritize Channeling and long-distance Passing. Their kits are enchanted with Misty Step (usable once per match).
• Star Player: Valerius the Swift, a high-elf Weaver known for "impossible" curved shots that defy physics.
• Home Arena: The Crystal Spire Court, Kigum.

The Abyssal Terrors

• Sponsor: Pirate Lord Groggan (The Sea Wolves)
• Playstyle: "The Dirty Dive." Known for bending the rules to their breaking point. They utilize smoke bombs (Fog Cloud) and "accidental" elbows to disrupt opponents.
• Star Player: Sira "Shadow-Step" Vex, a tiefling Striker who specializes in Intercepting passes from the shadows.
• Home Arena: The Drift-Haven Deep-Dive.

The Crimson Fangs

• Sponsor: The Shadow Council (Secretly)
• Playstyle: "The Assassins." They focus on removing the opposing team's Strikers through non-lethal but debilitating "surgical" tackles and mental manipulation spells.
• Star Player: The Phantom, a masked figure whose race and identity are unknown.
• Home Arena: Unknown (They always play as the "Away" team).

The Gilded Corsairs

• Sponsor: The Gilded Vein Syndicate
• Playstyle: "The Payday." They have the best equipment money can buy, including prototype boots that grant a brief Hover speed. They are often accused of bribing referees.
• Star Player: Baroness von Stein (playing under a pseudonym), a ruthless human Striker with a penchant for high-stakes betting.
• Home Arena: The Gold-Dust Dome, Archipelago.