Ethereal

Etherals are beings hailing from the world known as K'aresh. Originally, the Ethereals had physical form, however when Dimensius the All-Devouring assaulted their homeworld the arcane energies the Void Lord unleashed upon them ripped apart their bodies.

Their advanced technology allowed them to survive - barely - as beings of pure energy. Ultimately, it was this very change that allowed them to battle Dimensius on an even-footing and travel through the Twisting Nether to find refuge. When not covered in their magical wrappings, they are described as beings of pure energy; a mass of irregular power.

The ethereals are astral travelers who dwell within the Twisting Nether but they are also seen in many places such as Azeroth, Outland and even the remnants of Argus (Void Ethereals). While rare, some even remain on major Azerothian settlements, namely Stormwind City and Orgrimmar to conduct business.

Similar to goblins, ethereals are driven by trade and economics being collectors and traders of arcane items and artifacts, their political structures are also centered around trade princes and political "companies." The ethereals also share in the goblins' propensity for technology, though their technology appears to be far more powerful and otherworldly. ethereals possess everything from the familiar, such as transporters, to the radical, such as their eco-domes.

While most ethereals seem completely neutral, the Consortium later allies with the Sha'tar and other ethereals who stay on Azeroth like Thaumaturge Rafir, Voidbinder Sturzah, Warpweaver Dushar have become friendly with the respective cities they stay in. More unusual Ethereals such as Hakim the Strange have even allied themselves with Azerothian factions.

During the Burning Crusade they were described as liars and scoundrels who will stop at nothing to pursue their mysterious aims as the ethereals had no care at all for the Burning Crusade. They would even play both sides of the conflict against each other if doing so would serve to further their own goals.