The Aeolian Gates

(Or Dual Gates, Gates of Aeolia, Twin Gates, Otherworldly Gates)

## Overview

The Aeolian Gates are a pair of linked phenomena on Aeolia that allow, if inconsistent and dangerous, transport between worlds beyond the Annulus, to worlds far beyond, shrouded in mystery. Various people, both individual and whole nations have come through both ways at points scattered across time. These gates, while being relegated to completely unknown at worst, myths and legends at best, on other Segments, Fragments, or Shards, aside from those in close proximity, are fairly well documented on Aeolia itself, though this varies between continents and nations. Memory of the Gates will, oddly, fade over time as distance increases from them, although this is not seen on most of Aeolia, aside from the very far edges, and does not apply to anyone or anything from the other end of the Gates. Both Gates appear as a large rip or pillar of fluctuating, pure white light, and are visible from a fairly large distance.

## History

The Gates themselves were formed shortly after the end of the Golden Age, but what caused their formation is still unknown. Some have speculated that due to the immense outpour of energies released by the preceding conflict intersecting with the hope of an escape of many of the populace at the time, the Gates were formed out of those two colliding above what would later become Aeolia. Regardless, the Gates were completely functional for a short time, (Which, given how heavily shrouded in myth the entire period was, has been estimated to be anywhere between an hour to a whole cycle) serving as an escape for many people who survived the Greater Fracture and subsequent breaking of the Ur-Planet, until, legend has it, the Void itself took notice. The Gates were altered significantly via unknown means, with both of them being destabilised in separate ways, a change that lives on to this day.

### Mythology

Some legends tell of a 'Third Gate' that appears anywhere across the Annulus, opening at intervals of hundreds of cycles, but allowing transport across the entire Annulus, and beyond. This is, however, unconfirmed, as most surviving reports from the time of the Gates' formation report of there only being two, with a few less reputable sources referring to three. One account refers to sixteen Gates, but is likely untrue.

Various cultures and religions across Aeolia believe different things about the Gates. Some worship them as deities, others refuse to acknowledge their existence, and some say that all of the current life on Aeolia came from across the Gates, its former inhabitants having gone the other way through. One in particular believes that going through either Gate is a task that everyone should attempt at least once in their lives.

## The Unstable Gate

The Unstable Gate is permanently present, and is situated at the core of an island(see below). It is, however, incredibly dangerous to use, and most people who go through it perish, showing up days or cycles later as charred, distorted, and aged(and in one specific circumstance, covered in brine). Only one person is ever known to have successfully emerged from this gate, losing a limb in the process. It is unknown if anyone has survived going through it to whatever lies Gateside. Early sailors of the Silver Age used the Unstable Gate as a navigation point.

## The Stable Gate

The Stable Gate appears all across a continent located in Aeolia's northwest(As portrayed by most maps; see below for said continent), however will do so at utter random, in a completely unpredictable pattern, showing up from between weeks to entire cycles. It remains, however, the most frequently used - and considerably safer - Gate, inflicting no ill effects to those who use it. Several notable figures - and cultures - have emerged from this Gate. It appears that it links to a different destination depending on where it appears; and when it does, it never appears an undetermined distance, though considerable in length, near to any major city or town. It is unknown why this occurs. It has also been noted by various people who have seen both gates that the Stable Gate seems to be a bit larger.