Few stories of Eorzea are as mysterious - and obscure - as the disappearance of the group known as Aether’s Way. Established shortly after the Battle of Carteneau, and guided by their enigmatic leader known only as G’rhuhnu, the small community would become infamous both for their secluded nature, and ill-fated attempt to build a colony in Eastern La Noscea. However, to those familiar with their story, they are most known for the fact that, two years ago, they seemingly vanished without a trace.

As I’ve worked on putting this report together over the past several months, one thing has become clear: Researchers are no closer to knowing the fate of Aether’s Way than they were two years ago. But through interviews, first-hand accounts, and small pieces of evidence, perhaps we can draw some kind of conclusion, and discover something of the truth.

I hadn’t given much thought to the controversy, myself, until I visited La Noscea for some photos of Costa del Sol earlier this year. I met a dockworker and fisherman there named Golderyn Cook, who made a passing comment about a quiet group he used to trade with years ago. This piqued my interest, and began my journey of attempting to unravel a very peculiar mystery.

Cook claims he’d often see G’rhuhnu and other members of Aether’s Way in the area, prior to their abandoning their Eastern La Noscea settlement. “He had a look in his eye,” Cook told me, “Like he had big plans. But they were friendly people, and I sold fish to them when they’d visit the docks.” Cook shared a singular photograph, dated three and a half years ago, which shows G’rhuhnu gathering salt water into a large wooden bucket.

With more research of my own, I learned that, at its peak, Aether’s Way was a seemingly vibrant community of nearly 80 members. Five appeared to be within an “inner circle,” leaders who took on more active roles. Numbers would dwindle after the events in La Noscea, which reports at the time claimed were due to “differences with local authorities,” though this was only speculation.

Their leader, G’rhuhnu, a Miqo’te Seeker, appeared by all accounts to be loved by his community. Outsiders who came into contact with him, such as Cook, tell of a soft-spoken individual who always wore a smile on his face.

G’rhuhnu’s ability to gather so many followers is credited mostly to his personality, but also his ideals. “He wanted to help people,” Heribert Crowther, a Highlander who worked briefly with the group as a supplier, said. “They seemed pretty happy if you ask me. Said they only wanted to carve out a living for themselves. To tell ya the truth, I almost joined ’em, but I’m pretty set in my ways.”

Several former members deny that G’rhuhnu himself believed a vessel of some kind would arrive from the stars and whisk them away to a promised land - a claim made by a Lalafell named Pashog Qashog, who left Aether’s Way during its formative months. He would go on to be an outspoken critic of the community, though has become reclusive in recent years and refused to comment for this investigation.

I should note: During my initial research, I sent several letters to those I had identified as former members. In the interest of protecting their identities, I have chosen not to reveal their names, though only two replied to my inquiries. One of those replies was very terse:

“Dear U’bilee,I ask that you please do not contact me again, and cease any attempts at continued research. Thank you.”

This, of course, did not prevent me from delving further.

After the failure of their colony in Eastern La Noscea, the group made their way to the Black Shroud, where they apparently hoped the seclusion of the Twelveswood would provide protection and, more importantly, prevent outsiders from interacting with them. This was only speculation from experts at the time, as at that point, Aether’s Way had sworn off any communication with the outside world. Likewise, those who left Aether’s Way prior to their journey into the Twelveswood also ceased contact.

Some believe their foray into the Black Shroud was not an attempt to settle, but rather another one of their many retreats. According to researcher Ebaut Shoucant, previous retreats had taken them to Coerthas and areas of Thanalan near Ul’dah, where some witnesses claim they allegedly performed rituals, played games, and welcomed nearby populations to “cookouts.” On their last outing, however, there were no records or witnesses stating that they interacted with anyone at all.

No one has heard from them since.

What happened to the members of Aether’s Way? Where are they now? What were they really after? In coming issues, we’ll look at individual members of their community, witness accounts of their activities, and evidence that may point to an answer.

For now, I’ll leave you with the following strange photo and an excerpt from a letter, which I received from a relative of an Aether’s Way member. They allowed me to publish it under the condition of anonymity.

“A family member who joined Aether’s Way sent me a package before their trip to the Shroud, with photographs and some writings,” their letter stated, “I never spoke to them again, but the included photo has always bothered me deeply.”

Read Part Two of The Mystery Of Aether’s Way in next week’s issue of The Babbler.