Ways Between
| Ways Between | |
|---|---|
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Map of the Ways Between (current as of 0.4.12) | |
| Level range | 2+ |
| Accessible from | |
| Leads to |
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| Neutral Hub | Yes |
"Listen: that gem of yours... there are old statues scattered around the Marches. Nobles like my dear friend Carmen once had keystones that would activate them, allow their owners to move from place to place in the blink of an eye. The Waystones have stood silent for many years now, but I think you've got something strong enough to force the lock. So to speak."
The Ways Between are an ancient and powerful magic. Back before the Godswar, the mages of Estelore jealously guarded its secrets, though they gifted their noble patrons with idols that permitted them to travel vast distances near-instantaneously. Since then, the Kitsune have 'borrowed' and refined the magical secrets for their own ends. However, appropriately powerful magicians such as Kasyrra can make use of the Ways Between, and given the right assistance you can as well. While travelling the Ways Between you seem to be travelling high above the world, yet walking on solid ground and able to peer down into the world. Every step is somehow vastly magnified, enabling you to travel miles and miles in the blink of an eye.
"We're somewhere else, [pc.name]. I've read about this, but I thought Magister Elrohm was just high as a kite when he penned Magisterium Imperius. All sorts of names for it: the paths of the gods, the astral plane or the dreamscape... the ways between."
—Cait
Waystones
Scattered across the Frost Marches and Savarra are dormant Waystones from a bygone era. With the Waystone Charm from Lady Evergreen, you can activate them to use as Fast Travel points.
Hawkethorne Waystone
Beneath you is a tiny little hamlet, tucked between the sprawling northern forest, the craggy peaks of the eastern mountains, and the vast expanse of valley plains of the south. Hawkethorne seems even more sleepy and peaceful from this height, and its handful of denizens seem like nothing but ants, scurrying about their business. A pillar of light shines up from the town square, where an ancient Marcher-Baron is immortalized in stone near the steps of the church.
Enables fast-travel access to Hawkethorne, unlocked during the events of Inheriter of the Idols.
Wayfort Waystone
You're standing high above the fast-flowing river that cuts across the northern forests of the Marches. Beneath you is an old stone fortress, perhaps elven in origin, though it has long crumbled in disrepair. A great pillar of light shines up from its courtyard, where the statue of some forgotten lord stands nobly amongst the ruin of his realm.
Enables fast travel access to the Ruined Wayfort, unlocked during the events of Inheriter of the Idols.
Foothills Waystone
You gaze down upon the foothills, surrounding the great eastern mountains like a skirt of stone. Ruins dot the landscape, and valleys and caves pock-mark the hillsides in every direction. You can vaguely see the walls of the orcish warcamp from here, surrounded by smoke. A pillar of light shines up from the hillside nearby, where an ancient Minotaur statue welcomes you.
Enables fast travel access to the Foothills, can be unlocked once you find the Waystone and have acquired the Waystone Charm.
Marefolk Village Waystone
You stand overtop of the Marefolk Village, watching the equines come and go far beneath your feet. They barely look like horses at all from this angle, so similar to humans aside from the shapes of their heads. All around you, the grassy plains of the valley and the rippling waters of the lake stretch to the horizons, converging perfectly around the village. A pillar of light shines up from the middle of the village, emanating from a damaged Lupine statue.
Enables fast travel access to the Marefolk Village, can be unlocked once you've gained access to the village and have acquired the Waystone Charm.
Centaur Village Waystone
You stand above the Centaur Village, looking on from the downward slope of the ravine. At this height, the trotting half-equine folk could easily be mistaken for humans leading a particularly large group of horses. The mountainsides don't look nearly as daunting from this height, looking more like a snug shell that keeps the village safe from any entry barring it's front door. Any entry, that is, besides the pillar of light that emanates from the statue of paired gods in a small, out of the way copse of trees.
Enables fast travel access to the Centaur Village, can be unlocked after clearing the Centaur Village during Harboring a Fugitive.
Kurokawa Kitsune Den Torii Gate
You gaze down upon the sight of the gargantuan cherry blossom tree in the north-western Frostwood, as large as any Belharan keep and many times as tall. There's no pillar of light here, though; you remember that the kitsune are able to control who uses their "borrowed" and improved gate technology. Nevertheless, you know you should be on their whitelist, and indeed, as you step towards where the usual pillar of light should be a torii gate erupts from the ghostly ground of the Ways Between, mists filling the space within the arch.
Enables fast travel access to the Kurokawa Kitsune Den, can be unlocked after completing Den of Foxes.
Winter City Waystone
Below you is the Winter City, what once was the capitol of a great elven empire. It's high walls and fearsome keep are evidence of the ancient might of the boer'alvar, shielding the city from any that would mean it harm. Above it, and encompassing much of the palace, is a great glacier rising into the arctic north. You can just make out a cloudy plain atop it, stretching on for miles and miles...
Enables fast travel access to the Winter City, can be unlocked after you've gained access to the city.
Undermountain Waystone
From your lofty heights, you behold the great mountains surrounding and overbearing Khor'minos. Despite the shield of stone covering the deeplands, you can make out a faint outline down below — an abandoned caravanserai, from which a pillar of light shines up from the statue of a Tiran bovine protecting her flock.
Enables fast travel access to the Undermountain, can be unlocked after you've gained access to the Minotaur territory.
Khor'minos Outskirts Waystone
From your lofty heights, you behold the great mountains surrounding and overbearing the deeplands. Despite the shield of stone covering the deeplands, you can clearly see the great city of Khor'minos, shining like a beacon against the darkness. A statue of a minotaur soldier holding up a torch stands at the vanguard, lighting the way for travellers in this world and the one below.
Enables fast travel access to the Khor'minos outskirts, can be unlocked after you've gained access to the city.
Points of Interest
Dream Palace
Before you is what could only be described as a palace, a sprawling structure that stretches out to... somewhere, you can't see far through the mist clinging to this otherworldly realm. But the shadow the building casts is deep indeed. Under your feet, beneath the crystalline glass of the realm's floor, you can see the indistinct outline of a crumbling tower — the same one where you first met Shar!
Rather than a Waystone, this is a palace somehow constructed within the Ways Between. Kasyrra found it during a dream, and has turned it into her base. You will only be able to enter the palace if you're Romantic with the demoness.
Quest Related
Inheriter of the Idols
Lady Evergreen turns the gem Kasyrra gave you into a Waystone Charm, and enables you to traverse the Ways Between. She even gives you a couple of Waystones to activate.
The Princess Blade
Kinu and Kohaku are accosted while travelling the Ways Between.
Winter Wolf
In the Abyssal Depths, you stumble across a Waystone that you use to escape shortly before the keep, including the Waystone, shatter.