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==== The Twenty Portals ====

{{ portalmap.jpg?400}}

Scattered across the world are twenty portals -- each one connected to three
"adjacent" portals.  Logically, these portals are arranged as the vertices of a
[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodecahedron|dodecahedron]].  However,
physically, they appear at "random" locations on the map -- oftentimes skipping
nearer portals to connect to ones far away.

Each portal is a horizontal region thirty feet in diameter.  While the portal
itself is invisible, each location has been marked by a ring of stones -- three
of which contain indents to house an activation gem.

Throughout history, arcane scholars have drawn corollaries between the twenty
portals and the [[twenty worlds]], and some have claimed that each of the
[[twenty worlds]] has its own set of twenty portals. Oftentimes, the three
inter-world portals((that connect the [[prime world]] to its three neighbors:
[[Greyhawk]], [[Xotei]], and [[Kona]])) are lumped into the same category and
referred to as the "Ninety-nine portals".  Where this term comes from is unknown
and was most likely coined for poetic reasons.

These portals are strongly tied to the [[Great Map]] and become disconnected if
the map is dispersed -- which has happened at least twice (most recently in the
year 1105).  When this occurs, the portals will (eventually) reform at new
locations.  However, in their natural state, they are difficult to see and can
remain undiscovered for years, decades, or centuries.

In recent history, the wizard [[Kevin Arcana]] discovered the location of the
portals and managed to perform some kind of epic ritual to limit their use.
He presented his work to the [[council|Council of Wizards]] in their final
meeting in March of 1109.

From that point until the year 1126, the portals could be used by anyone -- but
only if they bought a special one-use key gem (which typically sold for around
150 gold pieces).  These gems were pre-programmed with a particular path --
taking the travelers (at least briefly) to each of the intermediate
destinations.  During this time, travelers experienced a significant (though fleeting) flash
of pain whenever they used the portals.  This was because of a secret deal that
Kevin had made with the Demon King of Pain, [[Gkîlarzzá]].  Once the demon was
defeated and Kevin killed, this effect stopped.

Now the portals can be used by anyone with a key gem -- which can be purchased
at any decent magic shop.  Prices vary -- but are usually between 25 and 100
gold pieces (depending on the destination).

Unlike during Kevin Arcana's time, the new generation of key gems only allow
for "one hop" travel.  Thus, to travel long distances often requires multiple
gems.

In addition, the portals act as permanent //Teleportation Circles// (per the 5th
level conjuration spell).  Wizards can record the sigil sequence for a given portal
in their spellbook by examining it with //Detect Magic//, //See Invisibility// or
a similar spell.

=== Significant portal locations ===
  * [[Rota|Near the city of Rota]]
  * [[Neroth]], Kevin Arcana's (former) home in Southern Rota
  * [[Spindrift|The Spindrift Isles]] (Eastern Lendore)
  * [[Backbone]]: Midway between [[Edric_city|The city-state of Edric]] and [[Hookridge]]
  * [[Lowland]]
  * [[Kinander]]
  * [[Blanan]]
  * [[Mosaî]], "The Hidden Empire"
  * [[Arela]]
  * The [["Wall Islands"]]