The Rifts

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 Great Ones accidentally tore holes through reality during a failed experiment, not through an orchestrated ritual. 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 was achieved solely by the Tsurani Assembly of Magicians, who destroyed the rift machine on Kelewan—no 'Spell Wall' or convergence of magical power was involved.

This sealing ensured Midkemia's safety but left behind residual magical scars that remain detectable by sensitive mages to this day.

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.
• Residual magic in the Valley of the Rifts can still be detected by trained sorcerers.
• The phenomenon connects two distinct worlds rather than just different regions.