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, although they 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}}

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}}

In the past, the Oathgates have been capable of transporting people in and out of Shadesmar; however, at some point before their slumbering, the [[Sibling]] forbade the Oathgate spren from performing this service.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{book ref|sa4|22}} As such, this function of the Oathgate was inaccessible. 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}}

At the same time, one of [[Odium]]'s [[Unmade]], [[Sja-anat]], 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}}

* '''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.