Located off the central eastern coast, "The Rift" is a large (two-way) portal connected to "other worlds." Some say these places are across the sea, some say they are among the stars, and some say they are in a different realm altogether.
"The Rift" also sometimes refers to the small island on which the portal is located. In order to receive passage to the island, travelers must petition a council of Riftkeepers who approve or deny such requests based on lengthy criteria. These Riftkeepers maintain a strict political neutrality, though from time to time scandals arise when The Rift accepts or denies a petition in such a way that opposing groups do not approve.
There are many stories about the sea surrounding the island being incredibly dangerous and utterly impassable by any ship not sanctioned by the Riftkeepers.
There are also stories about the worlds which the Rift connects to, with different kinds of magic, people, and topography. These stories tend to vary so wildly that scholars have had difficulty establishing validity for what these places might actually be like, though it is said that the Riftkeepers can and do travel to these places frequently, and surely must know what they are really like.