Elf gate
Elf gates, or aiudara as the elves call them, are magical local transportation devices located in Kyonin, across Golarion,[1] and on Castrovel.[2] Some elves only use the term aiudara, as they consider the term "elf gate" to be vulgar.[3] Elf gates appear as sculpted stone arches, and when activated instantly transport anyone to another specific elf gate.[1]
History
The aiudara network is believed to have been created during the Age of Legend by the legendary elven hero Candlaron the Sculptor, beginning with the portals known as Alseta's Ring.[4] The secret of their creation was lost when Candlaron vanished through a mysterious archway.[5] He also created the Sovyrian Stone, and used the artifact to power all of the elf gates.[1]
Travel
Elf gates are activated using a key, which can be a physical token but might also be a password, piece of music, spell, or stellar conjunction. Some gates have multiple keys, each linked to another specific elf gate. Most elf gate keys have been forgotten over the millennia, and, therefore, some elf gates have been abandoned.[1][6]
Only the first traveller in a group needs a key; the rest can follow to the same destination. Travel through an elf gate is instantaneous,[7] and because of this, elf gates represent a significant part of the elves' historic power, as it allows them to move people and goods with incredible speeds across vast distances.[1]
A gate can lead to another specific elf gate, or to a hub that connects several possible locations. The system of elf gates is sometimes referred to as the aiudara network.[7]
Elf gates do not allow travel between planets or planes, unlike the incredibly ancient or naturally occurring portals that they resemble. These interplanetary portals predate the elves, and perhaps even all life in the solar system.[8]
Religious significance
The elves consider Alseta, goddess of doorways, to be the unofficial patron deity of elf gates.[9]
Known elf gates
The following aiudara are known to exist on Golarion, although not all of them continue to be active to this day:
- Alseta's Ring, the first set of gates created by Candlaron, located beneath Citadel Altaerein in Isger[10], which consists of:
- Lotusgate, a currently non-functional gate which exits in Iadara[11]
- Huntergate, which exits near Akrivel in the Mwangi Expanse[10]
- Dreamgate, which exits in Ravounel; Dreamgate was used millennia ago by elves who would later settle in the ocean and become the first aquatic elves[12]
- Jewelgate, in Kovlar under the Five Kings Mountains[10]
- Duskgate, near the town of Finderplain in Katapesh[10]
- Vengegate, on Hermea, which was used by the elves who would go on to become the Mordant Spire elves to reach their destination[13]
- Galtgate, a hub in Galt's Boarwood forest[11]
- Icegate, near the Crown of the World[11]
- Lichgate, in Ustalav[11]
- Tanglegate, in Tanglebriar[11]
- Breachgate, leading to the Wayhouse in eastern Rahadoum[14]
- Caulgate, leading from Celwynvian to the caulborn settlement known as the Grove of Memory under Nidal[14]
- Eidolongate, connecting Iadara to the ancient Sarkorian city of Timal[14]
- Wormgate, connecting the Ghol-Gani university of Kokori in the Kaava Lands[14]
- Near the village of Avennara, in Kyonin; used frequently by the Lantern Bearers[15]
- Near the drow city of Blackstrand, in the Darklands[16]
- A gate links Mordant Spire with Kyonin, but it is not known whether it functions; the elves on both sides do not seem interested in using it[17]
References
For additional resources, see the Meta page.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 95. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
- ↑ James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 10. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0
- ↑ Hal Maclean and Jeff Quick. (2008). Elves of Golarion, p. 18. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-143-5
- ↑ Logan Bonner, Amanda Hamon, James Jacobs, and Jason Tondro. (2019). "Adventure Toolbox". Hellknight Hill, p. 75. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-173-3
- ↑ Hal Maclean and Jeff Quick. (2008). Elves of Golarion, p. 13. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-143-5
- ↑ Joshua J. Frost et al. (2010). Faction Guide, p. 27. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-221-0
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.D. Wiker. (2008). A Memory of Darkness. A Memory of Darkness, p. 19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-130-5
- ↑ James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 53. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0
- ↑ Sean K Reynolds. (2008). Gods and Magic, p. 45. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-139-8
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Amanda Hamon et al. (2019). Hellknight Hill, p. 71, 75. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-173-3
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 J.D. Wiker. (2008). A Memory of Darkness. A Memory of Darkness, p. 19–22. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-130-5
- ↑ Ron Lundeen and Stephanie Lundeen, et al. (2019). Tomorrow Must Burn, p. inside back cover. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-191-7
- ↑ Luis Loza. (2019). "Broken Promises". Broken Promises, p. 17–19. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-195-5
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 James L. Sutter. (2019). "Lost Aiudara". Against the Scarlet Triad, p. 71–75. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-194-8
- ↑ Joshua J. Frost et al. (2010). Faction Guide, p. 26. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-221-0
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider. (2008). Endless Night. Endless Night, p. 40. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-129-9
- ↑ Hal Maclean and Jeff Quick. (2008). Elves of Golarion, p. 13. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-143-5