The Mystical Rifts

Scars of a Fragmented World

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"Each rift murmurs the echoes of an ancient world, but drawing too near, they scream the end."

— Anonymous Sage of Éthéria

The rifts are magical anomalies born from the cataclysmic separation of the original world into eight distinct worlds. These fractures, ubiquitous yet mysterious, symbolize both the power and the fragility of the forces that maintain the balance of the universes.

Origin and Nature of the Rifts

The rifts are mysterious rifts that opened across the worlds following the Great Separation, a cataclysmic event where the original world was divided into eight worlds, each under the authority of an elemental god. They embody the scars left by this divine act, areas where the raw and unstable energy of the original world pours out uncontrollably.
These "rifts," as they were quickly named, are zones where dimensions overlap, releasing flows of primordial energy that are impossible to control. They are akin to invisible bridges between the worlds but are impassable for any form of life or object. The rifts are not portals but fractures where energy condenses and unleashes, annihilating anything that ventures too close.

Characteristics of the Rifts

Visually, a rift resembles a tear in the very air itself, emitting bursts of chaotic energy and shifting lights. They also produce intense vibrations perceptible miles away, as if the earth and sky are murmuring in pain.

Raw Energy and Instability

The rifts radiate primordial energy that cannot be manipulated or contained by conventional means. The most audacious mages who have attempted to channel this power have perished, consumed by a force they could neither understand nor control.

Fixed Location

Unlike some magical phenomena, the rifts are immutable. Once formed, a rift remains in its original location, becoming a permanent landmark or a constant danger to surrounding populations.

Dangers and Limitations

Crossing a rift is synonymous with death. The raw energy spilling from it destroys all living and non-living matter, instantly disintegrating anyone who gets too close. Even the greatest mages and the most advanced machines have failed to breach its boundaries.
However, their presence profoundly influences the surrounding worlds, creating mutations, climatic disruptions, and magical anomalies that transform nearby civilizations.

Roles and Impact

Energies and Mutations

The rift, though deadly, release elemental energies that sometimes have unexpected effects. In Éthéria, these magical flows gave rise to the Éthérians, beings deeply connected to the elements. However, these transformations are not always beneficial, and many tales speak of monstrous creatures born from the radiation of the rifts.

Natural Boundaries

Geographically, the rifts often mark the boundaries of the worlds. Their presence makes direct invasion impossible, acting as natural barriers to be feared.

Exploration and Study

Despite their dangers, the rifts attract researchers and adventurers. Mages, in particular, see them as an opportunity to study the essence of magic and extract forbidden knowledge. Cities such as those in Éthéria have built sanctuaries around rifts in an attempt to channel their energy.

Transformation of Landscapes

They radically alter the surrounding environment, making areas uninhabitable or, conversely, incredibly fertile for magical crystals and other rare resources.

Attempts at Utilization

The rifts, though lethally dangerous, attract those eager to unlock their secrets.

Energy Extraction

Some civilizations, like those in Vélactris, attempt to harness their energy to power machines.

Magical Studies

The most advanced magical academies send emissaries to analyze the energy fluctuations, hoping to understand the very essence of creation.

Cult and Superstition

Certain religious orders worship the rifts, seeing them as doors to the divine or to the apocalypse.

Examples of Known Rifts

The Rift of Andoris

The most famous of the rifts in Andoris, located at the heart of Éthéria, is surrounded by a sanctuary built by the Éthérians. This site is as much a sacred place as it is a magical research laboratory.

The Breach of Vélactris

This rift is exploited by engineers who attempt to channel its energy to power the Fulgur-Rail and other technological advancements.

Type

Natural Wonder