The Rifts
Gateways between worlds that brought war to Midkemia's doorstep.
The Rifts are unstable magical gateways connecting the world of Midkemia to the distant realm of Kelewan. These portals serve as the primary conduit for travel between the two continents, allowing armies and sorcerers to bypass the vast ocean that physically separates them. During the Tsurani invasion, these rifts became the focal point of a desperate war for survival. Their existence threatened the very fabric of Midkemia's reality, turning a geographical anomaly into a strategic nightmare for the Alliance forces defending their home.
- Location
- Valley of the Rifts (Midkemia) / Kelewan
- Nature
- Inter-dimensional Portal
- Status
- Sealed
- Origin
- Tsurani Ritual Magic
- Strategic Value
- Critical Invasion Route
Lore & Background
The magic required to open the Rifts is ancient and dangerous, drawing power from the ley lines of both connected worlds. The Tsurani sorcerers orchestrated a complex ritual to exploit these natural weaknesses in reality, effectively tearing holes through space itself. This act was not merely transportation but an aggressive assertion of magical dominance over Midkemia. Maintaining the Rifts required constant energy and vigilance from the Tsurani high command. If left unchecked, the portals could destabilize further, potentially merging the two worlds in a catastrophic collision of physics and magic. The Alliance mages understood that simply fighting the invading army was not enough; they had to seal the source. Ultimately, the closing of the Rifts became a defining moment in the saga. It required a convergence of magical power from multiple sources, including the legendary Spell Wall. This sealing ensured Midkemia's safety but left behind residual magical scars that remain detectable by sensitive mages to this day.
In Their Own Story
Pug stood at the edge of the valley, feeling the hum in his bones before he saw the light. The air tasted of ozone and old blood. Above him, the sky tore open like wet silk, revealing a glimpse of Kelewan's crimson sun. He raised his staff, knowing that one wrong move would let the enemy pour through forever.
Reader's Guide
The Valley of the Rifts lies in the rugged terrain near Sethanon on Midkemia, a place where the veil between worlds is thin. The climate here shifts unpredictably during active rift events, often bringing unnatural cold or heat from Kelewan. Culturally, this region became a forbidden zone after the invasion began, as it served as the primary choke point for Tsurani forces entering the continent. Strategically, controlling the Valley was essential for both sides; the Alliance needed to seal them to stop reinforcements, while the Tsurani fought to keep them open. The land itself bears scars from the magical backlash of opening and closing these portals. During the war, the area became a battleground where mages clashed with sorcerers. After the conflict, the region remained haunted by residual magic. While the physical rifts were sealed by the Spell Wall, the geographical anomaly persisted as a reminder of the near-collapse of Midkemia's reality. Travelers avoid the valley to this day due to lingering magical instability and the memory of the Tsurani invasion.
Did You Know?
- The Rifts allowed the Tsurani Empire to bypass naval blockades entirely.
- Sealing the portals required cooperation between Midkemia's mages and allies from Kelewan.
- Residual magic in the Valley of the Rifts can still be detected by trained sorcerers.
- The phenomenon connects two distinct physical worlds rather than just different regions.