Rift Magic

A rift portal.

A rare, depraved art. Riftmancy is the practice of utilizing one's mana to forcefully tear open space in two separate locations, based upon the flow of the lifestream, and then knitting them together to create a passage through the wound. It does however not come without a price, as many aspiring Rift Magis have been known to step into their portals never to be seen again- Thought to have been lost to the Void, a plane in which time is so warped they may be lost forever. It is because of this that the art is considered nigh impossible to learn without the aid of a Teacher or a Master's Tome. Intricate knowledge of the astral planes is expected.

The magic is outlawed in most nations, due to the passive effects that accompany its usage. Dark spirits, such as the Nethradin, have been known to 'slip through the cracks' of the scars that rift magic leaves. It also warps the land itself- mutating the soil and plant life at the rift magi's feet, and by extension the unseen spirits.

It is considered a shortcut to power, for whilst it is more dangerous to learn, it is often learned swifter than its supposed counter-part, Spatial magic.

## Theory

The flow of the lifestream is unique everywhere, and based upon the flow of a location, the Riftmancer can find the destination they desire- However many things define the 'flow', such as the various objects there or buildings placed. Distortions such as natural disasters or powerful Magi clashing can cause Riftmancers to become unable to find their desired location again, however with time and practice the distortions become easier to manage through. Alternatively a physical mark can be placed down to aid the process.

By tearing a hole in the space near them, the Riftmancer searches for their destination based upon their memory of the flow or a physical mark to aid, they then tear a hole and temporarily 'knitting' the wound together to step through.

Some relics have been known to amplify the power of a Riftmancer, even allowing them to use the art much more swift and with less energy consumption. It is theorized that an artifact capable of granting the wielder Riftmancy could exist.

## Applications

The applications of Rift magic are many; some have been known to literally fold space itself around objects, allowing them to take it with them stored and hidden to later be used in combat. Others have been said to be able to teleport short distances within an instant, or even cut through 'dimensions' with a slash of their sword.

Other practices involve Runescribing, where there lies the possibilities in creating tools to aid the user in utilizing the art, or perhaps even creating stationary portals from one point to another.

True Masters are even capable of storing multiple objects of various sizes near them, and others have even crafted entire Worlds of their own with it- Like Worldscape.

## Drawbacks

Utilizing the art causes passive corruption to the plant life around the Magi and by extension the unseen spirits- A taint that will follow the user as well, no doubt condemning them to being cleansed in a star.

Various dark spirits have a tendency to slip through the 'cracks in space', causing massive havoc and destruction in cities and the like.

As with many of the other depraved arts, it also slowly affects one's personality and mind, and warps it ever so slightly with time.

## Tomes

The art is too dangerous to learn without advanced knowledge of space-time magic theory and intricate knowledge of the Astral Planes, as such many Masters and Aspiring Riftmancers have written Tomes, journals and notes upon the subject. For the most part however it remains a hidden exclusivity among even the Valmasian people.

#### Nyphadora's Tome on Rift Magic

Within 744 pages lies an introduction, explanation, heavy theory alongside practical information about the art. It furthermore provides several runic combinations or otherwise runes to aid in the various processes. It was the Fairy's answer to the surplus of Spatial magic users with the arrival of the Angel Elisheva on Agartha.