Imperial Teleportation Network
The Imperial Teleportation Network ( abbreviated ITN ) is a network of portals that enable fast international travel. It is operated by the Imperial Magisterium, as a mage is required to input the sigil sequence for the desired destination and activate the portal. Travel with the ITN will typically cost 250ℜ per trip per person, with each trip capable of transporting up to 9 people at once.
The activation fee is reduced to 100ℜ if a member of the travelling party can activate the teleportation circle themselves. A ITN passport is required to use the service.
The service to and from the Theocracy of Krorus has been deactivated ever since their declaration of war.
Technology
The Imperial Teleportation Network is a network of nodes. Each node of the ITN is a building with at least one Teleportation Circle, and at least one portal. Travellers to the node arrive in the Teleporation Circle. Those who wish to travel from one node to another must align the portal with their desired node, which is done by inputing the correct Sigil Sequence. A mage must then provide a fifth tier investment of magic. The portals operate on the Slingshot Principle, drawing the travellers into the Crossroads before slinging them forward to their desired location. The trip is so fast that most do not notice the shift between realms.Aquiring your ITN Passport
An ITN Passport may be acquired at any ITN node or at your embassy. A passport will run you about 500ℜ for a general pass, or 250ℜ for a single nation pass, and needs to be renewed every five years. You'll need to be tested for any allergies to teleportation magic or planar influences. This may cause discomfort, but is necessary to protect your soul and prevent a most unfortunate case of death when travelling with the ITN.History
The Imperial Teleportation Network was inspired by the Wayshrines of the Elven nations. The project was ordered by none other than Emperor Viktus himself in 24 IE, who envisioned a fast and safe way to travel between each and every great city of the Realm. The Imperial Magisterium was tasked with creating it. An initial prototype was revealed in 30 IE to celebrate the thirtieth year of his reign. This portal was only able to take him from the Magisterium to the scene at which he was to hold a speech. The technology was later revised into the spell today known as Dimension Door.The issue was creating something that could safely transport humanoids over long distances. It wasn't until the Magisterium discovered the Crossroads in 94 IE that progress could be made. The first node in the Argosian Portal Network was created at the Magisterium's lead university the same year. Further nodes were installed in other major Argosian cities throughout the following decade.
While the network was being proven, negotiations were underway with Storest and the Castellan Kingdoms to install nodes in their respective capitals. The first node outside of the Empire was installed in the summer capital of Storest in 101 IE, marking the transition of the network from merely Argosian to international.
There is an upper limit on how fast one body can travel safely. Move a body too fast in our prime reality, and they suffer blackouts or even straight up unconciousness, broken bones and burst blood vessels. Misty step, dimension door, and other short-distance teleportations then lean into the Ethereal Plane for their seemingly instant teleports.
This is perfectly safe for minor distances, but attempting to travel via the Ethereal Plane for distances more than 500ft can lead to displaced bodies or Soulsickness.
Imperial Teleportation Network
| Introduced | 101 IE |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Argosian Portal Network (APN) |
Sigil Sequences
Sigil Sequences are codes that allow a mage to dial in which location they want to connect their Teleportation Circle to. Every country begins with a specific sequence.
| AE | — | Argosian Empire |
| AEHT | — | Heartia |
| AEOB | — | Olbia |
| AEMR | — | Muresia |
| AEDT | — | Dirtaria |
| AEHH | — | Hearhall |
| CD | — | Courdonne |
| CK | — | Castellan Kingdoms |
| ST | — | Storest |
| — | ||
| VL | — | Villiers |
'... prevent a most unfortunate case of death when travelling with the ITN.' Oh no, that would be most unfortunate! I like that you have included the history of the technology, as well as the official stuff you have to go through to be able to use the nodes. I really like how you refer to 'spell slots' too; I like the step away from D&D terminology, but that it can still work in that system.
Thank you! Yeah! Spell slot sounds a bit too gamey to me, so I've been trying to think of good alternatives that get the point across but have a bit more flavour.