Portal of Fate

"They will go through," said Lachesis, "be transformed and then return. It will give mortals a chance, no more, a small testing and strengthening of their character, some may not survive portal, but those that do will shape the destiny of the world."

- (Book of Xyl)

• Possibly the single most important object in the history of Lusternia.

• Constructed on Mount Dynara, now known as Avechna's Peak, because the Portal needed to be located at the fulcrux of the entire world.
• Built primarily by Xyl from plans provided by the Fates.
• Only mortals may enter it; the Portal is closed to Elder Gods and dragons.
• They return altered and often without all their memories.
• Beyond marking the mortal for a great destiny, the Portal bonds a Lusternian mortal shard with an "Other" from an entirely different reality.

Then I noticed it. Beyond her own perception was that of another, as if someone or something else stared out with her. This other presence must have become entwined when she entered through the Portal of Fate.

"They are quite unaware of the Other," said Clotho quietly in the Elder tongue so Mlorag wouldn't understand. "When they step through the portal, they brush against another reality, finding another soul that resonates with their own, a quantum twin."

"They think this is a game," I said, studying the Other as it studied me. "They don't believe in this reality."

"Does it matter?" asked Clotho. "They shape its story nonetheless."

- (Book of Meridian)

• Every mortal who has ever used the Staff of Ascension to restore the Nine Seals has passed through the Portal of Fate.