Ring of the Folded Path

Ring of the Folded Path — Artifact Entry

The Ring of the Folded Path is a rare spatial manipulation artifact capable of creating a temporary gateway between two distant locations. Rather than transporting objects through conventional teleportation, the ring functions by compressing the distance between two points in space until they momentarily overlap, forming a stable passage through the center of the ring.

The artifact possesses no inherent maximum range. Instead, the distance a portal can span is governed by the mass passing through the fold. Small objects place minimal strain on the spatial compression and can therefore travel across vast distances or even between planes of existence. Larger objects create significantly greater resistance within the folded space, causing the effective range of the portal to decrease rapidly.

The ring is capable of expanding to form a portal large enough for limbs or full-body passage, or shrinking to a size suitable for wearing as a ring, bracelet, or anklet. Once a portal is successfully created, the spatial fold remains stable and can be maintained indefinitely so long as the ring remains intact.

Activation requires the user to mentally visualize the desired exit location. The clarity of this visualization determines whether the ring can establish a stable connection. Upon opening, the portal may be anchored to an object or individual, allowing the gateway to move with its bearer and enabling the transport of objects, supplies, or other materials across the folded distance.

Because the artifact manipulates the structure of space itself rather than traversing it, planar boundaries present only additional spatial resistance rather than absolute barriers. As such, sufficiently small objects can be passed between planes with relative ease, while larger masses often exceed the artifact’s stability threshold before a planar fold can be sustained.

The Ring of the Folded Path is most commonly employed for long-distance item retrieval, covert transport, secure exchanges, and mobile storage access, though stepping through the portal is possible when the destination lies within a range sustainable for the user’s mass.

You find a magical artifact