Difference between revisions of "Oathgate"

|''[[Among the Darkeyed]]'', page 102{{epigraph ref|sa1|39}}

TheseOathgates are [[fabrial]]s that manipulate the [[Surge]] of [[Transportation]]. Together, they form a network of gateways with [[Urithiru]] at its center, allowing for near-instantaneous travel between all corners of the world, and letting people unable to fly access to the tower-city itself. They can only be operated by someone wielding a living [[Shardblade]], such as a [[Knight Radiant]],{{book ref|sa2|86}} or with an [[Honorblade]].{{book ref|sa3|16}} They require [[Stormlight]] to work, withalthough transportationthey can be made to use [[Voidlight]] through methods known to [[Odium]]'s forces.{{book ref|sa4|49}}{{book ref|sa4|55}} Transportation of more than one person demandingrequires more Stormlight than what the Oathgate can normally hold in its ten [[gemstone]] lanterns.{{book ref|sa2|87}} The amount of Stormlight needed also depends on the Radiant, as those of higher oaths require less to activate the fabrial.{{book ref|sa4|23}}

Along with the lamps, on the wall there is a plate of metal, shaped like a ten-pointed star, with a slot in its center. When a [[Shardblade]] is inserted, the slot reshapes to fit its particular form.{{book ref|sa2|84}} This occurs regardless of whether the Blade is living or dead, -- however,but only thea living bladeBlade or [[Honorblade]] willcan activate the keyhole, producingat which point is produces a low, vibrating sound.{{book Withref|sa2|87}}{{book aref|sa3|16}} livingOnce the Blade insideis in the keyhole, the keyhole can be moved along with the entire inner wall to align it with one of the eleven floor sections. There, the Radiant removes the Shardblade from the keyhole. With this, the contents of the control chamber, as well as anything on top of the platform, is swapped with the control chamber and the platform of the Oathgate in the desired location.{{book ref|sa2|87}} The control building can also be swapped by itself, without transporting the platform, taking considerably less Stormlight than moving the entire platform.{{book ref|sa3|58}}

All but the Stormseat Oathgate have been locked up by the ancient Knights Radiant when they've abandoned the tower city.{{book ref|sa2|89}} As such, over the millennia since the [[Recreance]], their purpose has been forgotten. Many of the Oathgate platforms are covered in buildings, such as the Grand Market in [[Azimir]], or the [[Kholinar Palace]] in Kholinar.{{book ref|sa2|65}}{{book ref|sa2|89}} Others, like the one in [[Thaylen City]], have been transformed into gardens and other religious or ceremonial structures.{{book ref|sa2|58}}

Those two spren enable the Oathgate to function properly, and control who can travel, and where.{{book ref|sa3|116}} They can be corrupted by [[Sja-Anatanat]], although so far, only the [[Kholinar]] spren have been compromised in this manner.{{book ref|sa3|87}} This does not impact their ability to work with spren of the uncorrupted Oathgates.{{book ref|sa3|115}}

In the past, the Oathgates have been capable of transporting people in and out of Shadesmar; however, at some point before histheir deathslumbering, the [[HonorSibling]] forbade the Oathgate spren from performing this service.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{book ref|sa4|22}} As such, this function of the Oathgate is currentlywas inaccessible.{{book ref|sa3|116}} This being said, the spren corrupted by Sja-Anatanat are not bound by this, and can transport people into Shadesmar, though it's uncertain if they can bring them back into the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa3|87}} Some Oathgate spren have since accepted the authority of the Stormfather in this matter, and once again allow travel to Shadesmar.{{book ref|sa4|22}} This includes some of the spren at Urithiru, though others do not accept that the Stormfather has the authority to release them from their previous oaths to Honor himself.

The origin of the Oathgates is unknown, although they may have been constructed during the [[Silver Kingdoms]] epoch, as they link the capitals of those ancient nations.{{book ref|sa2|60}} The Oathgate spren chose this transformation willingly.{{book ref|sa4|49}} During [[Aharietiam]], the city of Stormseat was destroyed in unexplained circumstances and its Oathgate was forgotten, although the mechanism remained intact.{{book ref|sa2|86}}{{book ref|sa2|60}}

As time went on, the tariffs imposed by the Knights Radiant became increasingly steep, which became a source of ire for those taxed.{{epigraph ref|sa1|46}} Later, just before Honor died, hethe Sibling spoke to the spren of the Oathgates, ordering them to stop allowing for Realmatic transition and only permitting Transportation between locations in the Physical Realm. Being bound by Honor, the Oathgate spren could not rescind this prohibition.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{book ref|sa4|22}}

As the [[Sibling]] retreated from mankind and the city of [[Urithiru]] began to fail, the Radiants closed and locked the active Oathgates and abandoned the city.{{epigraph ref|sa3|72}} In the centuries since, the purpose of the structures was forgotten.{{book ref|sa2|89}} Some became prime real estate for palaces and markets;{{book ref|sa3|83}}{{book ref|sa3|65}} others became religious monuments.{{book ref|sa3|58}} During the [[scouring of Aimia]], the Oathgate in [[Akinah]] was destroyed permanently -- or so it is believed.{{book ref|sa3|107}} However, the Oathgate was instead hidden away, and a fake Oathgate platform constructed above it in an attempt to convince any visitors that the Oathgate no longer functioned. The real Oathgate is still functional, though still left locked.

Following in her masterJasnah's footsteps, [[Shallan Davar]] successfully located the [[Stormseat]] Oathgate during the [[Battle of Narak]].{{book ref|sa2|84}} She managed to activate it, transferring the Alethi forces safely to Urithiru.{{book ref|sa2|86}} After the battle, this Oathgate was used to ferry people from the warcamps on the [[Shattered Plains]] to Urithiru.{{book ref|sa2|89}}

At the same time, one of [[Odium]]'s [[Unmade]], [[Sja-Anatanat]], suceeded at corrupting the [[Oathgate spren]] of [[Kholinar]] to bend them to her master's will.{{book ref|sa3|87}} The [[Voidbringer]]s later used this to invade Urithiru from Kholinar, as a distraction from the attack on [[Thaylen City]].{{book ref|sa3|i|14}} After [[Alethi]], assisted by [[Teft]], managed to push them back, they sent reinforcements to Thaylen City through its Oathgate to turn the tide of battle.{{book ref|sa3|120}}

During the [[Siege of Kholinar]], the platform becomes home to [[Ashertmarn]], and as such is the location of the endless Revel organized by the [[Cult of Moments]].{{book ref|sa3|78}} At the same time, another [[Unmade]], [[Sja-Anatanat]], corrupts its spren. When [[Shallan]], [[Adolin]], [[Kaladin]] and [[Azure]] attempt to use the Oathgate, they are dumped into Shadesmar instead.{{book ref|sa3|87}} While the Oathgate is later locked from Urithiru side after the news of Kholinar's fall reaches the tower,{{book ref|sa3|96}} [[Malata]] eventually unlocks it, letting the [[Voidbringer]]s attack Urithiru thorugh it.{{book ref|sa3|115}}{{book ref|sa3|122}}

The [[Valhav]] Oathgate is located in the city of [[Vedenar]], the capital of [[Jah Keved]]. It stands on one of the highest of the grand terraces of the city. Alongside a ramp, a set of staisstairs leads up to the platform.{{book ref|sa3|100}}

There are fivefour other Oathgates, whichthat are yetnot known to behave been reactivated in the present day.

* '''Rira''': The [[Rishir]] Oathgate is located in the capital of [[Rira (country)|Rira]], [[Kurth]].{{map ref|Oathgates}} It's likely come under the control of Odium as the Iriali moved to conquer Rira -- something they've intended to do for a long time.{{book ref|sa3|27}} Because the island that contains Kurth was located in the Silver Kingdom of Rishir and not Iri,{{map ref|Silver Kingdoms}} the Kurth Oathgate may sometimes also be referred to as being in the [[Reshi Isles]].{{map ref|Oathgates}}

* '''Shinovar''': The [[Shin Kak Nish]] Oathgate lies somewhere in [[Shinovar]].{{map ref|Oathgates}} It's exact location is unknown, as there are no cities in Shinovar marked on the world map.{{map ref|Roshar}} The Map of Oathgates also does not list the city it is located within.