Warped Gates

The Warped Gates are shimmering distortions in the air, ephemeral doorways that flicker in and out of existence, connecting disparate points in space and time. They are not stable portals, but rather unpredictable tears in the fabric of reality, their destinations shifting without warning. Stepping through a Warped Gate is a gamble, for one might find themselves transported to a distant corner of the Iron-Grip Mountains, the Glimmering Caverns, or perhaps even flung into a different era altogether, or perhaps the Null Fields. The appearance of Warped Gates is often heralded by strange phenomena: objects floating in mid-air, echoes of forgotten languages Resonance Weaving, and a palpable sense of unease. The Silent Monks of Durin's Peak believe that the gates are a manifestation of the Great Unmaking, a sign that the fabric of reality is unraveling. They say that the gates lead to the Twisted Expanse, a reality of constant decay and rebirth. The Order of the Azure Hand seeks to control the Warped Gates, believing that they can harness their power to travel between dimensions and unlock forbidden knowledge. They attempt to use the Celestial Alignment Ritual on the gates, to disastrous effects. They know they need to tap into the Vault of Whispers to understand the gates, but they do not know how. The Crimson Cartographers attempt to map the shifting locations of the Warped Gates, but their efforts are constantly thwarted by the gates' unpredictable nature. The paths lead to locations such as the Emptiness Forge, or a shortcut to the Lost City of Umbral. They whisper that the Forgotten Smith may have created the gates, but for what purpose? Archivist Theron suspects that the Warped Gates are linked to the Aetherium Conduits, created by the same energy. The Shadow-Goblins are drawn to the gates, feeding on the chaotic energy that emanates from them. Some tales tell of those who have stepped through a gate and found themselves face-to-face with the Chitinous Swarm, or were transported into the sky with the Skyclaw Griffons. Even the Cobalt Corsairs are wary, as stepping into the gates could mean a one-way trip to certain destruction. Some say the Sunstone of Aethelgard can stabilize the gates, but the consequences are unknown.