Void Nodes
On rare occasion somewhere across the realm a rip in space will manifest as an opening to the Void. Due to the rarity and because of the very nature of them, Void Nodes have never been adequately studied to determine the reason for their existing. The occurrences of Void Nodes might be much more common than the few that are known about, but any other remain completely unnoticed. Most Nodes are discovered underground. They are not a tangible hole in our world, for the void itself is nothing and so Nodes remains unseen and untouched, and thus the reality of their presence is only confirmed through the symptoms.
Underground cavern where none was previously. Possibly with no entrance. High levels of voidal magical energy New species of flora appearing Creatures are larger, mutated and potentially more dangerous
A Void Node exists in a constant state of flux trading energy between our realm and the plane of the Void. The weird and wonderful nature of the Void means that its energies being leaked into our world can alter it. Typically this is observed in mutations of plants and animals in the area around a Void Node. The most commonly observed mutation is exponential increase in size. The ability within the five mortal races to learn magic prevents such physical alterations from occurring in them.
Skilled Mages with a sensitivity for magical activities may be able to feel the presence of a Node. And the Ancient Masters, like The Arcane Mage and Rasmot, were able to locate one from incredible distances away. What attracts them is the increased ease with which the void can be reached to perform magic. There is no additional power from it, but because the actual casting is made easier Void Nodes are often used as locations for training Void Magics. There is, however, an added danger of performing magic near a Void Node. The thing that they are trying to bring forth from the void could be manifested from the rip itself, rather than from the Mage, in which case they will have no control over their spell.
The Unstable Nature of Nodes, and Subsequent Effects
At all times a Void Node is simultaneously pulling energy from the Void into our realm and sucking energy from our world back into the Void. So long as they can maintain a balance of both energies the Node will remain (relatively) stable. It is completely unknown why, and various attempts at testing have been completely inconclusive, that a Node can become "sick". This is when an instability begins threatening the existence of the Void Node. Larger Void Nodes may go through various stages of instability taking up to year, before resolving in one of two options.
Explosion If the energy within the Void holds greater pressure then on our realm's side of the rip will be an explosion. This explosion is not confined to the usual laws of physics and can ignore masses of rock, instead destroying all that lays above the earth. Or the space in which it once occupied will become a cavernous hole. These explosions can be recurring like an earthquake until all of the excess energy is expelled and the Void Node disappears forever.
Implosion Certainly the preferable option is the much less destructive outcome when the amount of Void energy is less than the stream of energy from our realm passing into it. The result is an area around where the Node once was becoming a hybrid mix of Void and Reality known as "Hollows". A place of untapped possibilities waiting for a fertile mind to paint upon its canvas. While an explosion utterly destroys the Node, it is assumed that an implosion retains some Void Node core otherwise the source of power for this place is unexplained.
When a node has imploded the effects of a Void Node on our world remain but are altered and become more intense. Any entity that enters this space has an impact on the environment and are altered themselves. Because the mortal races can learn to control magic they are not physically affected, while plants, animals and inanimate objects are.
A Hollows is transformed by the emotions and thoughts of those who occupy its space and, though it never increases or decreases in size, the space is ever changing. Particular to the Hollows is the generation of new matter where none was previously. Void energy is leaking into this space and all that is required for it to be formed into something is a mind that can imagine it. So once an intelligent creature has entered a Hollows the manifestations of the Void can become anything from their conscious, subconscious or emotional mind. A single thought can trail off to become a hideous beast, and emotions have a powerful impact on what the 5 senses perceive. Everything and nothing exists in these locations, it is chaos. Nothing can be found, nothing can be searched, the thoughts are random, the thoughts are all. Nothing around an imploded Node makes sense, seaweed can grow sideways in fire that burns on silver. Going there to study anything more than one's own mind is futile, as all is undergoing constant change, and what appears one day will be gone in the next. Whatever happens within a Hollows is bound to that space. Nothing created from it can leave that space or it disintegrates back into a passing thought in our realm.
Those that enter it, if they do not know how to clear their minds, will start feeling, hearing, seeing, all the millions of thoughts at the same time. To enter without preparing and to enter without being able to blank their mind, means that one would go crazy in a short period of time. Some perceived forms are purely the figment of imagination, while others tangibly exist. Those with well trained minds who are able to enter it will find inside all. And nothing. Attempting to remain near to an imploded Void Node will result in insanity, regardless of mental aptitude. Increased exposure doesn't just blur the lines of thought and real, the line is gone. The few that have attempted to remain in a Hollows for as much as a few days needed to be dragged back out and given rest from the sensory overload. The endless possibilities draw them in, gives them all they could desire, and causes the outside world to fade from significance.
The Mages Guild's tower in Anthos is the only confirmed location to have contained a stabilised Node Implosion known as The Hollows. They were used to train Mages to understand themselves more by coming to terms with the manifestations of their minds. However as more people entered the space it became increasingly unstable and incredibly dangerous.
