Maelstrom

The Maelstrom is a massive storm in the center of the Elemental Planes. The storm is caused by tremendous opposing elemental and planar energies being pressed together. It is similar to magnets being forced together at the same poles, but on a multiversal scale.

While most beings avoid the Maelstrom, it can be utilized for fast, albeit high-risk, transportation between the planes. With the just the right amount of energy, entering the Maelstrom can slingshot a traveler into the opposite plane in a matter of minutes, as opposed to the days it would take to travel through the neighboring plane. However, undershooting the energy will cause travelers to plummet down into the Material Plane. This is sometimes, but rarely, done on purpose.

Overshooting the energy used in the slingshot maneuver is not sufficiently studied. Some have attempted it before, but the never returned to document their findings. In truth, they ended up in the Astral Plane, which is barren and difficult to return from.