The Nexus

The Nexus is a planar portal transport system constructed by a race long since forgotten. It also had the unfortunate side effect of acting as 'cracks' in the planes, trapping those who didn't bind to rift shards or who had problems respawning at their shards. Trapped there for eons, many of the citizens of the factions have gone insane.... Perhaps a breakdown in the magics that sustain the Nexus is what is responsible for the dimensional rifts which are flooding Aetheria with invaders.

The Nexus is connected to each of the faction cities. Each of these seven areas also connect to one other location on Aetheria itself as well, and two planes beyond Aetheria itself. These planes in turn appear to be interconnected in a way not fully understood by Aetheria's sages and loremasters. The entire Nexus itself is constructed in a roughly circular pattern. Its rough form is two planes for each faction arranged around the central column of the Nexus, each plane on the left connecting with the plane above and to the right, the reverse for the other connecting to below and to the left. Access to the Nexus is granted by entering Rift Portals scattered throughout Aetheria and on the planes themselves.

Recently, the use of some of these portals was learned by those who studied them. As a result, the inhabitants of Aetheria now have the opportunity to adventure out onto the planes. The functioning Nexus are as follows:

• Ancient Ones: The Nexus for the Ancient Ones can be entered through either the temple in Sleeth or in a cave at the very top of the Dureena Peaks where the ancient silver dragon Shiv'las the Mother lives. Portals within the Ancient Ones Nexus lead to the Plane of Air and the Dragon Eyrie.
• The Circle: The Nexus for the Circle can be entered either in Melencia or in the pits deep within Giant Mountain. Portals within the The Circle Nexus lead to the Plane of Water and Forest Home.
• Last Alliance: The Nexus for the Last Alliance can be entered through either the Tower of Wizardry in Neversummer City or in a dungeon beneath an old tower on the South Road. A third portal on the Nexus leads to the Plane of Fire and the House of Knowledge.
• Ragnar's Kin: The Nexus for Ragnar's Kin can be entered through either the Dwarven Stronghold or the formian hive in the Wastes of Angmar. The Nexus in turn leads to the Plane of Earth and a plane known as Dwarf Home.
• Shadow Legion: The Nexus for the Shadow Legion can be entered through either the Shadow Legion Headquarters in Menzoduran, deep within an ancient crypt found in the depths of Haddon Mirk, or in the depths of the South Tower near the Crossroads. The Nexus leads to the Plane of Shadow and the DemonWeb Pits.
• Northern Coalition: The Nexus for the Northern Coalition can be entered through either the Northern Coalition Headquarters in Daeron or the Amazon Temple found in Amazon City. The Nexus leads to the Positive Energy Plane and the Elysium.
• Mystral Ascendancy: The Nexus for the Mystral Ascendancy can be entered through either Room 3 of Garagoth's Tower of Sorcerery or deep within the Icy Crypts in the lair of Unknown Evil.The Nexus leads to the Negative Energy Plane and the Halls of the Dead.