We return today to discuss the mythical and wondrous, the Yahduah. Now, first – let us pronounce it together students so you don’t get yourself injured. Yah-do-wah. Again. Good. Trust me, don’t put any “arr” sounds in there. You will find yourself slapped by an elven girl before you realize what has happened. Rather close it seems in pronunciation with a word that references their good name.

Now that we can say it properly without loosing teeth, let us continue. As we discussed, Yahduah is the term given to the “weak places” between the planes which make it possible to travel between them. Basically, they are a type of “portal” that provides instant transportation between two separate locations. However, never mistake them for a “true portal” as cast by the scholarly among us. While they can sometimes seem very similar in appearance, they are oddly enough nothing alike in actual construction, magical property or power.

In short, don’t toss some silly spell at them thinking you might control it. Better men than you have tried. They are now all quite dead. Painfully so.

Yahduah’s are known for their fickle and chaotic properties, however – they do follow a few basic rules between them:
1. There is no time difference – you exit out of the portal at the same speed/time that you entered;
2. There is always one side on the Firm/Shadow and one side on the Dream/Underfoot;
3. You cannot see what is on the other side,

Beyond that? Everything else is basically fair game.

The Side-Step Society has sought for generations to create a classification system for the multitude of Yahduahs. They have settled on four different “types” – Calm, Wild, Unstable and Permanent.

The “Calm” Yahduah is defined as such because it can be timed. These Yahduah’s open on some sort of regular rule, be that seasonal, monthly, yearly or even odd combinations (i.e. the fifth day of every season). These Calm Yahduah’s are the easiest to map, and therefore are often the most known to adventurers.

Next we have the “Unstable” Yahduah. These Yahduahs, unlike Calms, have no rhyme or reason to the timing of their appearance. While they always open at the same location in one Realm, the timing of their manifestation is just unpredictable at best.

The “Wild” Yahduah is the exact opposite. They appear without warning, in random locations and last for an indeterminate amount of time before they close forever. What causes them? If you find out, you’ll be the wealthiest mortal on the planes, my students.

There is one other type of Yahduah designation, the “Permanent” Yahduah. This is a Yahduah that is continuously open. There are only three known such Yahduahs in all the planes, so – let us discuss them first.

The longest Permanant Yahduah is called “The Darkest Hole,” has existed for just over 800 years. The Firm side of the Yahduah opens deep within the depths of Turnmold Mount, a dwarven held city in the Prodavanian Providences far to the North. The Dream side opens to the great Eladrin civilization of Tal’Tulre – one of the largest and most extravagant cities upon the Dream. Now, one would think this would make a wonderful site of trade and brotherhood – but unfortunately the two get along like oil and hate. Politics among these two peoples are frustrating at best, and full of rage on good days. Also, there is quite a hefty toll to pass through the gate – a toll which gains in size depending upon the valuables you wear or carry through. I promise you, sometimes you’ll find it cheaper to go through nude and just purchase clothes on the other side.

The second Permanent Yahduah is the Chaos Portal of Renselki, which actually only has one “Stable” side. The side which opens to the Firm has always been within the ancient city of Renselki – now not much more than ruins, it sits far to the east of us, over the Boar’s Spine and the Wolf’s Tail. Unfortunately, the Dream side changes every seventeen hours. So, while always open, it is never certain exactly where it might take you.

The third Permanent Yahduah is known as “Roland’s Gate” after the creature that brought it into existence. Students born here in the Viori Kingdoms might have actually glanced this wondrous Yahduah, as it lies in Thorn, Capital city of the Kingdom of Taur’on. Legend tells of a sad story; a princess attacked by her insane brother, driven to suicide, dying in the city’s gardens. Her tears are heard by a Lord of the Unicorn, and he rips a hole between our worlds to save her from an unfortunate end. How much truth is in that legend? Well – a lot it seems. Lord Roland’s actions created a permanent Yahduah that has yet to close, even though he has tried. The City of Carthin was built by the Fall Court on the Dream side of the Yahduah, and unlike the Darkest Hole, these two peoples have strove to become one city. They seem to have done a rather good job of it. Just look at the royal family, and one can see the fae blood that has interbred since that time.

Now – there are other famous Yahduahs. These are usually known because of sounds they make, defining colors or appearance, or – due to their regular appearance at the same locations.

The most noted Calm Yahduah is, of course, Lah’kola’s own Isle of Summer. This Eladrin Island City spends most of its time floating peacefully on the lake known as Mithlin’Moile. However, as the sun rises on the first day of Summer, the island leaves the Dream and appears here in our very own lake. There it will rest for the entire summer season. Then, as the sun sets on the last day of Summer, the island returns to its home in the Dream. Why? Mr. Martel, if I knew why do you honestly think I’d tell a bunch of first year scholar students a secret like that? Seriously, young man. Think.

Another well known Calm Yahduah is known as the “Booming” Yahduah. Opening on the fifteenth day of every month, it opens with a loud booming noise that echoes for miles.

Now, let us take a short break, students. When we return, we will discuss how these Yahduahs are mapped and exactly how they affect the trade routes of various cities.