Elf gate

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An elf gate...
...or aiudara as the elves call them.

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 on Golarion is believed to have been created during the Age of Legend by the legendary elven hero Candlaron the Sculptor, inspired by the magical non-elven gate that linked Golarion to Castrovel, beginning with the portals known as Alseta's Ring.45 The secret of their creation was lost when Candlaron vanished through a mysterious archway.6 He also created the Sovyrian Stone, and used the artifact to power all of the elf gates.1

The creation of the aiudara network on Castrovel was also allegedly established by Candlaron.7 Some of the largest Sovyrian cities such as El and Telasia contain multiple aiudara that can help transport elves all across Castrovel with ease. However, due to the return of many elves to Golarion and to a subsect of Castrovelian elves moving to Ukulam, Sovyrian has seen a notable decline in population and some gates have become unused and fallen into disrepair.8

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.19

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,10 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.10

Elf gates (other than the Sovyrian Stone) 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.11

Religious significance

Alseta observes elves passing through an elf gate.

The elves consider Alseta, goddess of doorways, to be the unofficial patron deity of elf gates.12

Known elf gates

The following aiudara are known to exist on Golarion, although not all of them continue to be active to this day:

References

Paizo published a Pathfinder Adventure Path about aiudara titled Gatewalkers.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 James Jacobs et al. (2011). "The Inner Sea". The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 95. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
  2. James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 10. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0
  3. Hal Maclean and Jeff Quick. (2008). Elves of Golarion, p. 18. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-143-5
  4. Logan Bonner, Amanda Hamon, James Jacobs, and Jason Tondro. (2019). "Adventure Toolbox". Hellknight Hill, p. 75. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-173-3
  5. Amanda Hamon. (2019). "Hellknight Hill". Hellknight Hill, p. 4. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-173-3
  6. Hal Maclean and Jeff Quick. (2008). Elves of Golarion, p. 13. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-143-5
  7. James L. Sutter. (2019). "Lost Aiudara". Against the Scarlet Triad, p. 71. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-194-8
  8. James L. Sutter. (2023). "Adventures on Castrovel". The Seventh Arch, p. 69. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-492-5
  9. Joshua J. Frost et al. (2010). Faction Guide, p. 27. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-221-0
  10. 10.0 10.1 J.D. Wiker. (2008). A Memory of Darkness. A Memory of Darkness, p. 19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-130-5
  11. James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 53. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0
  12. Sean K Reynolds. (2008). "Other Gods". Gods and Magic, p. 45. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-139-8
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Amanda Hamon et al. (2019). Hellknight Hill, p. 71, 75. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-173-3
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 J.D. Wiker. (2008). A Memory of Darkness. A Memory of Darkness, p. 19–22. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-130-5
  15. Ron Lundeen and Stephanie Lundeen, et al. (2019). Tomorrow Must Burn, p. inside back cover. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-191-7
  16. Luis Loza. (2019). "Broken Promises". Broken Promises, p. 17–19. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-195-5
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 James L. Sutter. (2019). "Lost Aiudara". Against the Scarlet Triad, p. 71–75. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-194-8
  18. Joshua J. Frost et al. (2010). Faction Guide, p. 26. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-221-0
  19. F. Wesley Schneider. (2008). Endless Night. Endless Night, p. 40. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-129-9
  20. Hal Maclean and Jeff Quick. (2008). Elves of Golarion, p. 13. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-143-5
  21. Jason Keeley. (2023). "They Watched the Stars". They Watched the Stars, p. 4. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-499-4