Greetings. I am called Shiliki, Walker of Mortal Realms. I suspect you know nothing of my race. Though we are a well-guarded secret in the mortal realms, it will do you well to understand the nature of the Universe before you attempt to travel any of the nearby roads.

The Walkers have existed since before time as you know it began. Even the ones you perceive as immortal are only what my people call the semi-immortals. Their time is determined by the existence of their realms, but they do not survive the Cataclysms that are caused by the death of a Walker. We are not gods, though some clans and orders condone their members taking over realms and acting as such. I do not approve of this, but to continue.

As I said, every few billion years of your time, a Cataclysm occurs. It sweeps through the Universe. I speak not of only the space you know. I speak of a grander scheme. Perhaps I should explain this before you may understand this Cataclysm.

There are three types of realms, all existing in an infinite space. At this side, the one which I am sworn to wander through, protecting as many beings as I can, are the Realms of the Living. On the other side are the Realms of the Dead. Between them is a place of Magic, the center of which is the Void that all beings pass through when they cross over between the Living and the Dead with the help of the beings that inhabit that space. The Realms surrounding the Void are the homes of the Walkers. We are not creatures of your realms, although we start out there.

Every few million years, a child is born in one of the Living or Dead Realms who we call a Potential. If he is discovered by the Walkers, he will be inducted into their ranks, into whichever order discovers him. Each Order has its own principles it is sworn to protect, involving the five Powers that govern the way the Universe works. These Powers are called Good, Evil, Life, Death, and Magic. Every being except the Walkers -- even the ones in the Void -- is a creature of the first four of these Powers. Walkers are creatures of Magic, untouched by the other four. Yes, you, too, are touched by all four of these Powers, each to a different extent. After all, every Living being is slowly overcome by Death, and no being can be truly Good or Evil.

That is, every being except the Walkers. We are pure Magic, the fifth Power that maintains the Balance between the other four. Magic takes its own form in each Realm, depending on how that Realm operates. Beings from those Realms have learned to use Magic -- you may have mages, scientists, faeries... many forms of these beings near your home. We, however, are not bound in the same way. We can channel the Magic of any Realm we visit. That is the nature of the Walkers. We travel the Realms as the hand of the Power of Magic, protecting that which we are sworn to and maintaining the Balance.

It is through these travels that the Walker Wars have begun, a battle that has raged for as long as Walker History has been recorded, and it extends through all Realms, even to the Void. You see, each Order or Clan of Walkers is sworn to uphold at least one of the four Powers that governs the rest of the Universe. Most are sworn to protect two Powers. My own Order, the Council of Walkers at the Fountain of Light, is sworn to protect the Good and the Living. Though I was cast out of my Order long ago, I still keep the Oath I took when I was changed to a creature of pure Magic.

So my Journey continues. That is how I came upon this place I have named the Third Junction. Junctions are formed at the beginning of each Cataclysm, which are caused, as I said before, when a Walker is killed, usually by a Walker of an opposing Order, though it has been known to occur for a Mortal or Semi-Immortal to destroy a Walker, though it is a difficult feat. The secret of how to kill a Walker is one of the most guarded among all Orders. But I digress. I was speaking of the Junctions.

When the Cataclysm occurs, some Realms between the ones that are destroyed and recycled are trapped in the Magics from the fallen Walker. In this torrent, it is linked to many of the nearby Realms, and, thus, becomes a kind of way-station between the Realms. Most Junctions have roads leading from them to these other Realms, roads which any being may find, though they are difficult to find. You are fortunate to have stumbled upon one.

Unfortunately, Junctions are incredibly unstable, and most collapse as time continues. Thus, they are a rare gem among the inconceivable amount of space in this Universe. I stumbled upon this one many years ago to find a few Mortals who had become lost and found their own ways here. I helped them to establish this township which lies before you as a way-station for all lost travellers and beings who seek to expand their knowledges of the Realms. You are welcome to travel any road here, though I warn you, many Realms are hostile, and it is possible to become lost. There are few Junctions left, now, as so much time has passed since the last Cataclysm. Be safe in your Journeys, Friend, whatever your choice.

As for myself, my Journey continues, and I must be on my way. I will return soon to the township and speak with you again, if you so desire. Good Journeys. May Peace guide your Path, and Strength hold your aim true.

Shiliki turns and walks away from you. As she does, a strange gateway, more sensed than seen, opens, other-worldly magics flowing from it. She steps through and vanishes from sight. The Gate closes behind her, leaving behind an eerie stillness...