The Paths of the Old Ones, also known as the Mystical Paths,[2a] were a series of maze-like pathways constructed in an extradimensional space that allowed travellers who used them to cross hundreds of miles by walking through them for only a short time. They were likely connected to the Geomantic Web and had been created through the arcane magical science of the ancient Old Ones who had reshaped so much of the mortal world after their arrival.
Constructed at the height of their reign over the Known World, the Paths of the Old Ones were a labyrinth-like extradimensional space that intersected with the then-tranquil Realm of Chaos, skimming the surface of that reality and thus allowing rapid travel across vast distances. Legend says the Old Ones rode across the Paths in fiery chariots. [1c] The Paths were invaded by the forces of Chaos during the Great Catastrophe when the destruction of the Old Ones' Polar Gates allowed the energies of Chaos to flood into the world. Daemons and worse took up residence within the realm. Some pathways were turned into "Twisted Paths," which led nowhere, into a realm of one's own desire or directly into the Realm of Chaos. [1d]
Entrances to and exits from the Paths of the Old Ones lay in Ulthuan, Lustria, Sylvania, Albion and the now sunken city of Melay. [1a] Enchantments cast by the High Elves contain the chaotic power of the magic within and seal the Paths of the Old Ones from outsiders.[1b] The Paths themselves were powered by runes that appeared to have been forebears or a parallel development of those used by the Dwarfs.[1c]
The High Elf Archmage Teclis speculated that the Old Ones might have used technology similar to the one that formed the Paths to create their own universes within the Realm of Chaos.[1d] He further believed that the tunnel network of the Skaven had once breached the Paths of the Old Ones, which allowed them to cross thousands of leagues across the world in their early history.[1c]
The Lizardmen used the Paths of the Old Ones to reach the island of Albion and free it from the control of the Dark Master. Their new temple-city of Konquata which was subsequently constructed there is now connected to the Paths of the Old Ones.[2a]
Trivia[]
The Paths of the Old Ones appear to be the fantasy equivalent of the Webway in Warhammer 40k. Both are paths that cut through the realm of the Chaos Gods without exposing the occupants to its danger, both were created by the Old Ones and both represent a faster means of travel than what is available to other races.