The effect of the ethereal swirls in the ocean was revealed today as dozens of "water bursts" and ethereal stalkers appeared. Many exiles were struck down on the ocean and drifted about fallen for hours (myself included), and those who remained in Puddleby were besieged by ethereal creatures at the west gate.

The ethereal creatures eventually were defeated or just left, but I'm afraid that unless we can understand what's happening to the ether the damage will only get worse, and this sort of invasion will continue.