Paths of the Wyck

For thousands of years, spiritual travel wore trails through the Periphery. This so-called Paths of the Wyck behaved in a manner similar to the trods still found in the Dreaming, but allowed even mundane humans to "walk" into the Umbra, sometimes by accident. Such paths figure prominently in mythology (examples including Orpheus' trip into the Underworld and Rip van Winkle's apparent stroll into a fae celebration). These paths began to fold in on themselves, either due to the reinforcement of the Gauntlet or the spread of Banality, the force of disbelief that also harms changelings. Today, while a small number of other paths that lead into the Umbra remain open, the Paths of the Wyck themselves are gone forever.

In most places, the Paths resemble rough trails worn through overgrown forests. Thick Mists shroud the surroundings, and an endless maze of branches and fog blocks out all but the faintest bit of moonlight. In some places, the Paths become moonlight and rise into the air. Although moonbeams and misty forests are common enough in the mortal world, the Wyck trails are uncanny even by magickal standards. Most travelers would rather cross vast distances on foot than wander these mystickal shortcuts. The journey is just too unnerving for most sorcerers to bear.