Ring Gates

For ages the magical scholars and historians debated how to reforge the Traveling Arches of the ancient ogres that conected the capitals of their empires and allowed rapid dispersal of knowledge and trade goods. Powered by great rituals conducted by droves of Sparks the Ring Gates require a much more challenging gathering of resources than depicted in frescoes of the Traveling Arches, which appear to have been activated by a single caster. The gates are constructed by alignment of even greater numbers of sparks, with this feat achieved only by a few of the most poweful nations of today.
Forged from a vast fortune of minerals capable of serving as a conduit for the gathered magical weaves, the Ring Gates can be tuned to deliver those passing through it to a desired destination by adding components similarly forged at the destination. Each city in the network must negotiate to give components forged locally in order to receive components forged at their sister locations, or the structure is nothing more than an expensive ornament. Before it can first be activated, these precious parts must be transported mundanely to the site of the Ring Gate. Whether open or closed the gates are heavily guarded, as they are valuable as both raw material for crafters of magical items as well as theft by potential invaders wishing to arrive through the gate.
Not only have the Ring Gates themselves served to transform the way diplomacy and trade are conducted over vast distances, but the institutions built to bring together and train enough sparks to perform the task of creating and powering them has fundamentally altered the way such individuals and institutions of their trade are perceived. Often persecuted or outcast by past generations wary of their strange or mystical powers, those gifted with abilities to weave magic may now be afforded the same rights or privileges as skilled craftsmen, knights, or the landed gentry in some nations. Lands where the gifted are still an underclass may fall behind in the next great conflict or race to prosperity.
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Originally written for 2024 Summer Camp challenge answering Vehicle A VEHICLE THAT, WHEN INTRODUCED, CAUSED SOCIAL UPHEAVAL