> [!Attribution] > The information below is an alternative take on the Pathfinder 2E ley lines, and is based on and inspired by original Pathfinder lore and content. Several segments are directly copied and pasted from the pathfinderwiki and aonprd websites. > References: > https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=1531 > https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Ley_line Magical energy exists throughout the cosmos and flows within and without all aspects of reality. In places where this magical energy flows particularly strongly, it takes the form of ley lines: potent conduits of magic that flow throughout the cosmos. Ley lines transcend physical form and can be found throughout the universe, through entire worlds, and even across planes. It is believed that they serve as one of the underlying facets of the cohesiveness of reality and the planes, and are one of the main reasons for their interconnected nature. ## Major Leylines ![[Map_OSTIUM_Ley_Old2.png]] > Map of the major leylines of Ostium prior to the SSIILO event. Current understanding of leylines splits them into the two major and minor categories. Major leylines are known and were mapped prior to the [[Spatiotemporal Shift Induced Interplanar Leyline Oscillation]] event and are currently in the process of being mapped again. They are believed to be the core leylines connecting the cosmos together, and are present across all planes. They are named with a color, an emotion, and a Ring-centric cardinal direction, such as "Red Rage of East" and "Pale Blue Horror of North". The color designation is given based on the light spectrum shift induced by the leyline in the vicinity of its nexus points and other points of interaction. The emotion title is given based on the emotional state experienced by magically inclined individuals in the aftermath of directly interacting with the leyline. The Ring-centric cardinal direction is given due to the fact that prior to the leyline shift all major leylines geographically flowed into the Ring from the outside and terminated in the Inner Sea. Whether that still holds true is being investigated as mapping efforts continue. Unassisted and direct interaction with major leylines is exceedingly dangerous and will typically result in extreme magical backlash, causing great harm to the individual and anything nearby. The major leylines of Ostium are: - Pale Blue Horror of North - Red Rage of East - Violet Joy of South - Green Gloom of West - Black Calm of West - Orphaned Yellow Courage - Orphaned Blue Apathy ![[Map_OSTIUM_Ley_New2.png]] > Map of the major leylines of Ostium after the SSIILO event. The above map is partially the result of direct mapping and partially the result of calculations, so minute details may be wrong. ## Minor Leylines Like branches splitting off the trunk of trees, minor leylines split off of major ones and are far more accessible to interactions. They typically carry some minor elements and traits of the originating leyline, but they feature a specialty of their own, unique to the branch and separate from the originating major leyline. These can range from a simple boost to spells of particular schools, to added power to particular energies, to assisting in interplanar travels. While a great number of the most useful minor leylines were mapped and publicly known of prior to the leyline shift, a great many more existed without being mapped, either due to being undiscovered or the desire to monopolize their use. Since the leyline shift, almost no prior maps apply, to the severe detriment of those who had utilized them before. ## Leyline Nodes and Nexus Points Leyline nodes are the point at which multiple ley lines intersect, or where minor leylines branch off of major leylines. Incredibly rare and powerful, nodes provide those who tap into them access to all of the intersecting ley lines' abilities, and they usually produce one or more additional effects based on the combination of intersecting ley lines. Such locations are jealously guarded by those who wish to claim the node's power. Where a leyline node is the naturally occurring point of confluence for the powers of various leylines, a leyline nexus is a node permanently empowered by magically capable individuals, boosting the benefits of the leyline node. ## Interacting With Leylines Ley lines are almost always imperceptible by mundane means, and they require specialized devices specifically built to locate them, or at the very least a strong magical connection on the part of the individual seeking them. In exceedingly rare occurrences, leylines can be so powerful or focused that they may have noticeable manifestations, such as a stream of constant sparks and arcs along an electrically attuned leyline, or an unnatural overgrowth of plants along a leyline suffused with positive energy. Once the difficult task of detecting leylines is accomplished, using leylines is surprisingly simple, and only requires a magically capable individual to draw the power of the leyline and channel it into whatever task they are attempting. Leylines however can cause a backlash if the attempt is unsuccessful, bringing harm to the mage.