Try our affiliated browser extension - redirect to BreezeWiki automatically!

Rift machine

In-game view of the rift machine, comprising two short wooden posts each topped by a blue crystal. The posts stand on a grassy area in the Dimwood, backed by trees, a river, and mountains under a blue sky.
"Destroy the moredhel rift machine!"
―Main objective, Chapter 7: The Long Ride

A rift machine is a magical device which appears in Betrayal at Krondor. Derived from Tsurani magical technology, it allows instantaneous travel between distant points.

For the semi-permanent portal connecting Midkemia and Kelewan, see: Rift gate.

History

The construction of a rift machine requires a magical artifact called a Waani, which, if used to improperly, can also destroy it.

Obkhar used the rift machine to escape the Northlands, temporarily destroying it after coming through and slaying at least one of the magicians guarding it. Duke Martin was forced to use the machine while disguised as a mercenary but was unable after his escape to pinpoint its location in the Dimwood.

Chapter 7

After learning that a Tsurani magician gave the moredhel a rift machine to provide Delekhan with unimpeded access to Sethanon, the party is dispatched by Prince Arutha to destroy it. They learn details about it from Obkhar, Duke Martin, and Squire Phillip, and locate it in the northern part of the forest just above the cleft of the river, hidden behind an illusory mountain.

The rift machine consists of two wooden posts topped by blue crystals. The air smells of camphor around it.

If the party interacts with the rift machine before acquiring the Waani, Patrus frantically stops James from going near it, protesting that it is very dangerous and should not be approached, but that they must find a way to destroy it before Delekhan's army can transport through.

If they have the Waani, they can choose to use it on the machine, ending the chapter.

Warning!
This article contains plot or ending spoilers.
The rift machine, a double set of gnarled wooden staves with purple lightning arching between their tips. The door-shaped space between the staves radiates an ominous ruddy light and roils with a highly charged red vortex of energy. Dead leaves fly around the machine, sucked inexorably toward the rift.

To destroy the rift machine, the party throws the Waani between machine's two posts, where it is struck by powerful electric blasts from their crystals and deconstructed into thousands of bright sparks which drift down to extinguish themselves on the forest floor. An ominous humming buzz grows into a roaring rush of sound and power that knocks the party over. As they watch in horror, the blaze of energy reverses itself and rushes backwards through the machine, sucking nearby objects into it as well. In the angry scream of air, James and Locklear cling to the nearest available trees and scream for Patrus to hold onto something, but nothing is within reach and they watch in horror as he is dragged backwards into the collapsing rift, shouting for them to stay back and perishing with the annihilation of the machine.