Small objects that are not immediately recognizable as such and are easy to carry on the body are particularly suitable as portal keys. Many people therefore mainly used jewelry such as brooches, necklaces, gems, rings or small weapons such as daggers or knives. Of course, these keys didn't work entirely without magic either, because portals only open when they detect elemental magic like a kind of genetic sequence or like in the year 2,800 BEC when many gates were destroyed by a chain reaction.
Additionally, you have to visit a key master to imbue the item with magic. Members of this guild were already few and far between at 3,000 BEC and even then only richer citizens and nobles could afford to use their services.
Making a portal key
The key master checks the item for its suitability as a key. To do this, he places it on a
Wotrilium coaster that has been "soaked" with the magic of all four elements and puts a glass dome over it. The master then activates the magic of the elements with the spell of revelation. If nothing happens inside the dome, then the item is unsuitable. If one of the elements is ignited, for example by leaves growing, flames blazing, a vortex of air created, or rain falling in the dome, the key master can move on to the next step. Items that trigger multiple elements are considered particularly powerful. However, these are extremely rare and closely guarded treasures, as they are not only intended to enable travel between the individual continents.
After the element is revealed, the key master transfers the appropriate elemental magic into the item. To do this, the object is “enveloped” with an element by wrapping it in moss, placing it in fire or water, or creating a vortex of air. Then the master uses the spells of the leaf, the fire, the breath of air or the drops and the object absorbs the respective element that surrounds it. The item is now ready for use.
I quite like them often being used as heirlooms. And some not even knowing their purpose.
Exactly, that makes it even more mysterious - thank you ;).