Planar Postage
Due to the convenience and relative safety of planar travel, a unique postage system has become the norm across Emynea but especially within the Kingdom of Accia. Use of the planes for travel and/or sending messages has been common far longer than humanity has memory of, likely nearly as long as humans have possessed Racial Magic. Those with Step manifestations are able to come and go from a specific elemental plane via portals of the corresponding aspect. For example, one with Flithmar's Step can use any fire large enough to fit through as a portal in and out of Flithmar's Plane. They can travel via this plane and pop out of any other large enough flame, generally utilizing another Planar Postage facility closest to their destination.
While still possible to intercept messages or packages sent via planar travel, especially among the more common variations, it is still vastly more reliable than postage sent by normal means. Only those with Step manifestations or beasts with this ability can access these planes. The less common aspects are more expensive for this reason but incredibly reliable. Even the Accian Military utilizes planar travel to deliver messages and has the benefit of free services from this company in exchange for soldiers posted within their buildings.
Purpose / Function
by Lee Stepp
Possessing a variety of elemental portals within their office, staff are able to deliver letters or packages travelling through elemental planes. As only those with Step manifestations can enter and exit these planes and one can travel much faster within, not impeded by any obstacles, this is a relatively safe and reliable form of postage. Depending on the package, destination and preference of the customer, different planes can be utilized and they have an "express" option for urgent message, for a price.
Design
This facility is circular in design with two to three floors. There is also a stable just outside as many of their employees access the planes via mounts with Step manifestations, much faster than human steppers. There are various portals set up all along the periphery and a central desk for arranging services.
Entries
by Lee Stepp
There is only one entrance along the front of the building. Because of the security threat this building poses, generally located in the heart of urban areas, they have to be prepared to block invasion into the city. They primarily utilize glyphs to this end, True Magic.
by Lee Stepp
Otherwise, all entrances and exits are planar. Which specific kinds and how many portals a facility possesses differs by location and size of facility. Portals prepared in every location generally include water (fresh and/or saltwater), fire, stone, metal, light and grass. Some have incorporated tree, smoke and ice portals as well. Most large cities will set up glyphs or enchantments to disable Step manifestations in other locations within their borders and these buildings are the exception. However, rarer variations of Step magic cannot be guarded against.
by Lee Stepp
Valuables
by Lee Stepp
They have a storage room located in a cellar beneath the main desk but generally utilize shelving within or behind this desk for yet unclaimed packages. They also have a "runner", by mount or Movement manifestation, to deliver mail and packages within their location as they prefer not to hang on to these for very long.
Architecture
Planar portals of varying kinds are placed throughout the circular building, going up three floors. The busier locations also keep a mage staffed when one of the less common portals is required. These portals can be a blazing fire pit, a pool of fresh or salt water, a stone or metal slab, a beam of sunlight or various other alternatives. Some are far more prevalent given the location of the office. This system was first put into place during the Greco-Roman empire preceding the kingdom so much of their architecture imitates this style.
Defenses
by Lee Stepp
Because of the possible infiltratation of their facility from Step caster not associated with the company or even the kingdom, soldiers or guards are stationed within the facility at all times. They also stay wary of wild beasts with Step manifestations wandering through their portals. Furthering this, each of these buildings are carefully designed to have only one exit and one window. In case of attempted invasion or general security breaches, a glyph is prepared in each location that not only blocks Racial Magic when activated but utilizes a Gokrilvek spell to make the walls and exits nearly unbreakable. Once activated, it can only be disabled from the outside. This not only prevents armies or raiders from accessing the city via this facility but also traps any would be invaders from using their racial magic to escape back through the portals, allowing the city to gather any necessary forces to oppose them.
Alternative Names
Portal Hoppers
Type
Post office
Parent Location
Owning Organization
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