On the Rifts between Worlds
or, the Mechanics of Crossing Over
Contact between the three worlds occurs via individual points where the terrain of one sphere is connected, by way of spatial anomaly, to that of one (or in some cases both) of the others, and superimposed with it. Those standing outside such a point of overlap will find themselves able to see into another world, specifically into the space that lies beyond the overlap zone on its own surface. Attempting to reach this other world, however, will result in entering the overlap zone proper, which from outside appears as a mere continuation of the land where one stands. While in this zone, a traveller will perceive the world from which they set out as if under normal circumstances, that is to say without sight of any alien landscapes. However, upon reaching the opposite end of the overlap zone, they abruptly find themselves stepping into the foreign world which they originally glimpsed, and, if they look back, will be able to see the point from which they set out in their world of origin. Traversing the overlap zone in the opposite direction will result in an inverse experience, with the world of origin disappearing out of sight until attained and the overlap appearing as part of the second, foreign landscape.
Schematised: green and purple can see each other and the landscapes they are respectively standing in; each sees the red zone as a continuation of their own location. A traveller crossing over along the vector of the black arrow will not be able to see the blue landscape, and will perceive the red zone as an extension of the black one. Vice versa for the blue arrow.In overlap zones where all three worlds converge, the strain of conflicting orders of being results in highly unstable terrain, wracked by anomalous manifestations and aberrant functioning of the laws of existence. Such areas are thus highly hazardous and risky to traverse, though access to and egress from them is performed normally, and permanence is not necessarily immediately deadly.
