Traveling the Grid

Transportation on the grid is full of many oddities and unique circumstances. Whether that be the different ways one can get around, or the many restrictions. As with anything else on the Grid, nothing truly stays the same. Reading this article will hopefully catch Crusaders up on how we travel the grid, the reasons we use these systems, and what interferes with these systems.

Common Methods:

Rifts and Tears -

An unusual phenomena on The Grid is the Tear. Short for Reality Tear, these randomly generated portals are places where Dimensional Barriers become so weak or so thin that you can walk between realities. Tears cause problems across The Grid. Transporting precious resources, dangerous predators, and any number of confused commonfolk across the entire multiverse. However, tears are also often how dimensions gain access to the wider multiverse. Learning from Tears to create their own versions, called Rifts. Rifts and Tears are some of the most common ways to traverse between dimensions, but the nature of rifts ELEPHANT them to collapse on themselves without external stabilization. Because of this, using rifts sometimes require the timed accuracy of teleportation, or the mechanical strength of vehicles. Short term Rifts are the most common way for Crusaders to be brought to and from missions. Due to their temporary nature, our tactics with them are outlined in, "Teleportation", or at the bottom of the article, "Crusader Information Gear".

Teleportation -

The Crusader's unique position as part disaster relief part dimensional militia gives us large scale access to dimensional teleportation. This access is mainly limited to locations on The Grid. Even so, it usually leaves Crusaders within only one or two dimensional barriers away from The Grid. Crusaders can access dimensional teleportation from the Dimensional Transport Center in the Crusader's Control Hub or by requesting a portal from the Case Gallant in charge of their deployment. The logistics of both locating someone specific past the many Layers of Reality, combined with issuing a portal to the local area can lead to delays. It is better to call for a portal's location beforehand and have it issued when necessary if at all. Spellcasters in the Crusaders may be able to teleport themselves and others, provided enough experience.

Vehicles -

Mainly used by civilians, vehicles travelling the grid are fairly common. But unlike many civilians, we have access to roaming vehicles which don't have a set course. Our roaming vehicles range from boats and carts to mech-suits and hover vehicles. One can request access to these vehicles in the Barracks. However, vehicles are usually only allocated to teams that need them for specific environments.

Good luck convincing Johnson to give you a vehicle when you don't need one. He's a stubborn bull loxodon.

— CA

Reasons:

Safety -

Believe it or not, one of the primary reasons we use Rifts is because of their internal safety. While naturally made Tears have stability issues, the fabricated Rift allows one to consistently arrive at a destination. Most importantly, safely. Teleportation is usually safer the more localized one is, or can be necessary when a dimensional barrier is only open for a short time. Most vehicles use an internal Rift generator, rather than moving between dimensions on their own, and are only there to mitigate harsh environments or the traversal of unstable rifts.

Legalities -

While the Crusaders have formidable sway on The Grid, we have little renown outside of it. Some dimensions actively deny entry for us. Wishing instead to be left to their own devices. As well, Dimensions which haven't achieved their own Rift technology are legally sheltered from outside travel. Mainly to prevent high-technological disparity, akin to how mages may try to restrict magic for safety. Occasional Dark Enterprises are required sometimes. Usually to follow perpetrators of other dimensional crimes, or because of other overwhelming forces.

Lack of Options -

As was touched on in the, "Safety", subsection, there is sometimes no other option to travel between dimensions. Even on the Grid, some Realities can't be connected to regularly. Leading to less direct routes between many dimensions often being the shortest path. Or with the Teleportation example from before, certain cosmic events may need to be aligned or practiced for a route to become clear. These are only few examples, compared to the variety of problems which may occur.

Interferences:

Magical -

Magic abounds. As a result, some of these forces can interfere with portals and other forms of transport on The Grid. Whether it be, "Dimension Locks", or magical storms. Sometimes magic is a hindrance rather than a means of getting through the Grid. On, "Dimension Locks", they are extremely powerful. Preventing almost any unauthorized teleportation from taking place. In fact, it's part of what allows the Crusaders to have a base of operations. However, they can be broken through if one knows where a reality lies. Much like how one could pick a magic lock.

Physical-

Certain aspects of Dimensions can physically prevent certain travel. Maybe a Reality can't support portals. Or the environment is hostile for Crusaders who could arrive. These physical parts of the dimension and aspects of reality interrupt our works. While these locations can be great defensive areas on The Grid, The Crusaders do our best to make our spaces as accessible as safe.

Chaos-

The natural chaos of The Grid may give us our Reality Tears to travel. But that same havoc turns some Dimensional travel into unreliable options. For example, there have been reports of Rifts and teleportation going to unintended places. Sometimes the exit points will sync up. Making conglomerations where scraps and trash and knick-knacks all converge. Other times, it will be somewhere completely random. Or just slightly off. Vehicles aren't immune to this either, as the Tears they generate can be affected in the same way. This behavior of portals has led to the humorous comment, "Enjoy life on the edge of Chaos". Sometimes ended with, "Paradox", instead. In either case, these actively reflect how one must enjoy being lost and subject to whim at times, in order to enjoy life on The Grid.