View source for Dimensional Vortex

==General Information==

====Chrono Trigger====

''Era'': [[12000 B.C.]], [[1000 A.D.]], [[2300 A.D.]]<br>
''New Area Music'': [[At the Bottom of Night]] (Shade Confrontations), [[Boss Battle 2]] (Dalton Confrontation), [[Corridors of Time]] (2300 A.D. Interstice), [[Huh|Huh?!]] (Dalton Confrontation), [[The Kingdom Trial]] (2300 A.D. Curious Village), [[Primitive Mountain]] (Strath), [[Prison Tower]] (Twilight Grotto), [[Reckless Robo Gang Johnny]] (Dalton Confrontation), [[Rhythm of Wind, Sky, and Earth]] (Volcano), [[Ruined World]] (Hallowed Falls), [[Singing Mountain]] (Frozen Cliffs), [[Underground Sewer]] (Nameless Caves), [[Zeal Palace (Music)|Zeal Palace]] (2300 A.D. Ancient Keep)<br>
''Items'': [[Angel's Tiara]] (12000BC Strath); 2 [[Elixir]]s, [[Full Ether]]s, [[Full Tonic]], [[HyperEther]], [[Lapis]], [[Magic Tab]], 2 [[MegaElixir]]s, [[Power Tab]], [[Regal Gown]], [[Revive]], [[Shadowplume Robe]], [[Speed Tab]], [[Venus Bow]] (12000BC Frozen Cliffs); 3 [[Mid Tonic]]s (65KKBC Guardia Prison Tower); [[Dreamreaper]], [[Elixir]], [[Master's Crown]], [[Revive]], [[Spellslinger]] (65KKBC Volcano); [[Full Tonic]], 50000g, [[Elixir]], [[Master's Crown]] (2300AD Ancient Keep); 50000g, [[Apocalypse Arm]], [[HyperEther]], [[Magic Tab]], 2 [[MegaElixir]]s, [[Regal Plate]] (2300AD Temporal Research Lab)<br>
''Enemies'':
:12000BC Dactyl Nest: [[Avian Rex]], [[Cave Ape]], [[Shist]]<Br>
:12000BC Mt. Woe: [[Bantam Imp]], [[Gargoyle]], [[Rubble]], [[Stone Imp]]<br />
:12000BC Cathedral: [[Diablos]], [[Hench]], [[Mad Bat]]<Br />
:12000BC Guardia Forest: [[Beetle]], [[Blue Eaglet]], [[Hetake]]<Br />
:12000BC Lab 16: [[Crater]], [[Meat Eater]], [[Octo Pod]]<Br />
:12000BC Sunken Desert: [[Hexapod]], [[Mohavor]]<br />
:12000BC Magus's Lair: [[Juggler]], [[Roly]], [[Vamp]]<br />
:12000BC Slath: [[Pink Imp]], [[Slate Imp]]<Br />
:12000BC Frozen Cliffs: [[Bone Knight]], [[Chaos Mage]], [[Pink Imp]], [[Snowbeast]], [[Soul Stalker]], [[Slate Imp]], [[Wonder Rock]]<Br />
:65KKBC Tyrano Lair: [[Avian Rex]], [[Reptite (purple)]], [[Terrasaur]], [[Volcano]]<Br />
:65KKBC Ocean Palace: [[Lasher]], [[Thrasher]], [[Mage]]<Br />
:65KKBC Truce Canyon: [[Blue Imp]], [[Roly]]<Br />
:65KKBC Guardia Prison: [[Guard]]<Br />
:65KKBC Sewer Access: [[Nereid]], [[Rat]]<Br />
:65KKBC Geno Dome: [[Debuggest]], [[Proto 4]]<Br />
:65KKBC Black Omen: [[Alien]], [[Blob]], [[Boss Orb]], [[Side Kick]]<Br />
:65KKBC Hallowed Falls: [[Ogan Chieftain]], [[Ogan Youth]]<Br />
:65KKBC Volcano: [[Deathcreeper]], [[Dire Rat]], [[Fireball]], [[Red Ghaj]]<Br />
:2300AD Forest Maze: [[Gold Eaglet]], [[Kilwala]], [[Red Eaglet]], [[Runner]], [[Winged Ape]]<Br />
:2300AD Beasts' Nest: [[Beast]]<Br />
:2300AD Magus's Lair: [[Grimalkin]], [[Hench (purple)]], [[Sorcerer]]<Br />
:2300AD Heckran Cave: [[Hench]], [[Jinn Bottle]], [[Octo Blush]]<Br />
:2300AD Arris Dome: [[Bugger]], [[Proto 2]], [[Rat]], [[Shadow (Monsters)|Shadow]]<Br />
:2300AD Denadoro Mts.: [[Free Lancer]], [[Goblin]], [[Ogan]]<Br />
:2300AD Ancient Keep: [[Dire Rat]], [[Deathcreeper]], [[Bone Knight]]<Br />
:2300AD Curious Village: [[Nu]]<Br />
:2300AD Temporal Research Lab: [[Iron Maiden]], [[Prototype]], [[Searcher]]<Br />
''Bosses'': [[Alabaster Shade]], [[Crimson Shade]], [[Dalton (Monster)#Once-King Dalton|Once-King Dalton]], [[Steel Shade]]

The Dimensional Vortex is a rip in the fabric of space-time that appears in three eras: 12000 B.C., 1000 A.D., and 2300 A.D. A temporally unstable zone, the dimensional vortex features several fragmentary locales, possibly lost pieces of other timelines or histories. [[Frog]] likens it to a place where time's streams have crossed. Entering the vortex takes one to the Planar Interstice, a short hallway with a teleporter pad at the end. Much of the vortex exists of random areas—eight per vortex entry, so 24 overall. In between the areas are Nameless Caves providing rest and safety, including a final Nameless Cave called the Twilight Grotto. The zones also include one dungeon per each vortex entry, yielding much treasure. The dungeons are 12000 B.C. - Frozen Cliffs, 1000 A.D. - Volcano, 2300 A.D. - Temporal Research Lab. The end of the vortex holds a boss fight with a shade (whether Lucca's Crimson Shade, Marle's Alabaster Shade, or Crono's Steel Shade). Defeat takes the party back to the normal timeline. These are the random location sets possible from each vortex entry point for each respective era.

: 12,000 B.C.

<pre>     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 1:                 ||Set 2:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Dactyl Nest            ||Mountain of Woe        |
     |Mountain of Woe        ||Dactyl Nest            |
     |Manolia Cathedral      ||Guardia Forest         |
     |Guardia Forest         ||Fiendlord's Keep       |
     |Site 16                ||The Sunken Desert      |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 3:                 ||Set 4:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Manolia Cathedral      ||Guardia Forest         |
     |Site 16                ||Strath                 |
     |The Sunken Desert      ||Dactyl Nest            |
     |Strath                 ||Site 16                |
     |Mountain of Woe        ||Manolia Cathedral      |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 5:                 ||Set 6:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Site 16                ||The Sunken Desert      |
     |Fiendlord's Keep       ||Guardia Forest         |
     |Mountain of Woe        ||Site 16                |
     |The Sunken Desert      ||Dactyl Nest            |
     |Strath                 ||Fiendlord's Keep       |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 7:                 ||Set 8:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Fiendlord's Keep       ||Strath                 |
     |The Sunken Desert      ||Manolia Cathedral      |
     |Strath                 ||Fiendlord's Keep       |
     |Manolia Cathedral      ||Mountain of Woe        |
     |Dactyl Nest            ||Guardia Forest         |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'</pre>

: 1000 A.D.

<pre>     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 1:                 ||Set 2:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Tyranno Lair           ||Ocean Palace           |
     |Ocean Palace           ||Tyranno Lair           |
     |Abandoned Sewers       ||Hallowed Falls         |
     |The Black Omen         ||Truce Canyon           |
     |Geno Dome              ||Abandoned Sewers       |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 3:                 ||Set 4:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Truce Canyon           ||Prison Towers          |
     |Abandoned Sewers       ||Geno Dome              |
     |Geno Dome              ||The Black Omen         |
     |Ocean Palace           ||Hallowed Falls         |
     |Hallowed Falls         ||Ocean Palace           |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 5:                 ||Set 6:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Abandoned Sewers       ||Geno Dome              |
     |Hallowed Falls         ||Truce Canyon           |
     |Truce Canyon           ||Tyranno Lair           |
     |Geno Dome              ||Prison Towers          |
     |Prison Towers          ||The Black Omen         |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 7:                 ||Set 8:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |The Black Omen         ||Hallowed Falls         |
     |Prison Towers          ||The Black Omen         |
     |Ocean Palace           ||Prison Towers          |
     |Abandoned Sewers       ||Tyranno Lair           |
     |Tyranno Lair           ||Truce Canyon           |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'</pre>

:2300 A.D.

<pre>     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 1:                 ||Set 2:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Forest Maze            ||Mudbeast Den           |
     |Mudbeast Den           ||Ancient Keep           |
     |Heckran Cave           ||Curious Village        |
     |Fiendlord's Keep       ||Forest Maze            |
     |Denadoro Mountains     ||Fiendlord's Keep       |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 3:                 ||Set 4:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Fiendlord's Keep       ||Heckran Cave           |
     |Forest Maze            ||Fiendlord's Keep       |
     |Mudbeast Den           ||Arris Dome Substructure|
     |Ancient Keep           ||Mudbeast Den           |
     |Curious Village        ||Denadoro Mountains     |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 5:                 ||Set 6:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Arris Dome Substructure||Denadoro Mountains     |
     |Heckran Cave           ||Arris Dome Substructure|
     |Ancient Keep           ||Forest Maze            |
     |Denadoro Mountains     ||Curious Village        |
     |Forest Maze            ||Mudbeast Den           |
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'
     .-----------------------..-----------------------.
     |Set 7:                 ||Set 8:                 |
     |-----------------------||-----------------------|
     |Ancient Keep           ||Curious Village        |
     |Curious Village        ||Denadoro Mountains     |
     |Denadoro Mountains     ||Fiendlord's Keep       |
     |Arris Dome Substructure||Heckran Cave           |
     |Heckran Cave           ||Arris Dome Substructure|
     '-----------------------''-----------------------'</pre>

If one reaches the Curious Village in the 2300 A.D. vortex, one will encounter four kids who ask questions. A wrong answer leads to a Nu battle. Here are the questions:

<pre> --.--------------------------------------------------------------------------.
 #:|Questions and Answers:                                                    |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 01|Q: What is Frog's true name?                                              |
   |A: Glenn.                                                                 |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 02|Q: What is the final invention of Belthasar, the Guru of Reason?          |
   |A: The Epoch.                                                             |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 03|Q: What icon is displayed to indicate Confuse status?                     |
   |A: A star.                                                                |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 04|Q: What do Masa and Mune claim makes them unstoppable?                    |
   |A: Their brains and bravery.                                              |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 05|Q: What is the name of Magus's sister?                                    |
   |A: Schala.                                                                |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 06|Q: What is the name of the giant skeletal monster that attacks Zenan      |
   |   Bridge in the Middle Ages?                                             |
   |A: Zombor.                                                                |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 07|Q: Who is the leader of the Reptites?                                     |
   |A: Azala.                                                                 |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 08|Q: Which of the following is not one of the racers in Leene Square?       |
   |A: Catapult.                                                              |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 09|Q: When did Lavos first arrive on the planet?                             |
   |A: Prehistory.                                                            |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 10|Q: Who is your opponent at the Site 32 bike race?                         |
   |A: Johnny.                                                                |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 11|Q: The Epoch is also known as what?                                       |
   |A: The Wings of Time.                                                     |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 12|Q: Who is the leader of Medina in 1000 A.D.?                              |
   |A: Ozzie XIII.                                                            |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 13|Q: What is Magus's true name?                                             |
   |A: Janus.                                                                 |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 14|Q: With whom can you practice your fighting skills at the End of Time?    |
   |A: Spekkio.                                                               |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 15|Q: What type of magic does Magus use?                                     |
   |A: Shadow.                                                                |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 16|Q: What is the name of the red stone needed to repair the Masamune?       |
   |A: Dreamstone.                                                            |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 17|Q: There is a statue behind Magus when you fight him in his keep.  How    |
   |   many arms does this statue have?                                       |
   |A: Four.                                                                  |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 18|Q: What is the name of the cat Magus had as a child?                      |
   |A: Alfador.                                                               |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 19|Q: Who serves as Crono's lawyer when he is placed on trial at Guardia     |
   |   Castle?                                                                |
   |A: Pierre.                                                                |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 20|Q: What is the name of the pink robot who wears a ribbon?                 |
   |A: Atropos.                                                               |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 21|Q: To which of the following elements is the Dragon Tank's head immune?   |
   |A: Fire and Light.                                                        |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 22|Q: Which other tech has the same effect as Frog's Frog Squash?            |
   |A: Dino Tail.                                                             |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 23|Q: What is the name of Cyrus's attack?                                    |
   |A: Nirvana Strike.                                                        |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 24|Q: What is the name of the Ioka villager Ayla likes best?                 |
   |A: Kino.                                                                  |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 25|Q: For whom does Flea harbor affections?                                  |
   |A: Magus.                                                                 |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 26|Q: Princess Nadia is also known by what alias?                            |
   |A: Marle.                                                                 |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 27|Q: What does Dalton dub the upgraded Epoch?                               |
   |A: The Aero-Dalton Imperial.                                              |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 28|Q: Who is the Guru of Time?                                               |
   |A: Gaspar.                                                                |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 29|Q: What is the name of the device Lucca invented to stabilize Gates?      |
   |A: The Gate Key.                                                          |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 30|Q: What item can you obtain by trading fangs and petals at the trading    |
   |   hut in Ioka Village?                                                   |
   |A: Ruby Gun.                                                              |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 31|Q: What winged creature must you ride in order to reach the Tyranno Lair? |
   |A: Dactyls.                                                               |
 --|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 32|Q: What is the name of the singing humanoid robot in Leene Square?        |
   |A: Gato.                                                                  |
 --'--------------------------------------------------------------------------'</pre>

The Temporal Research Lab is the most mysterious of the lost time fragments. It's a high-security facility run by a Director of Research (described by an employee as a "strange one"), but featuring no humans at the time of the party's visit. The facility has ten levels of alert; the tenth is "Maximum Alert". [[Dalton]] fell into the Dimensional Vortex after falling in his [[Golem]] summoning Gate. He appears to the party in the 1000 A.D. Gate to fight them over his wrecked ambitions, then swears he will raise an army in [[Porre]] and destroy the [[Kingdom of Guardia]]. After fighting the shades, [[Crono]], [[Marle]], and [[Lucca]] find their strength and other qualities have improved. Clearing the vortices opens the [[Darkness Beyond Time]] bucket at the End of Time. The origin of the Temporal Research Lab is unclear.

''Thanks to Seferaga for the convenient tables and Q&As''

===Name Origin===

* "Strath" means a wide, flat river valley.

==Media==

===Images===

[[Image:331j0hd.gif]] [[Image:2sab0py.png]]

===Music===

*[[At the Bottom of Night]] (Shade Confrontations)
*[[Boss Battle 2]] (Dalton Confrontation)
*[[Corridors of Time]] (2300 A.D. Interstice)
*[[Huh|Huh?!]] (Dalton Confrontation)
*[[Kingdom Trial]] (2300 A.D. Curious Village)
*[[Primitive Mountain]] (Strath)
*[[Prison Tower]] (Twilight Grotto)
*[[Reckless Robo Gang Johnny]] (Dalton Confrontation)
*[[Rhythm of Wind, Sky, and Earth]] (Volcano)
*[[Ruined World]] (Hallowed Falls)
*[[Singing Mountain]] (Frozen Cliffs)
*[[Underground Sewer]] (Nameless Caves)
*[[Zeal Palace (Music)|Zeal Palace]] (2300 A.D. Ancient Keep)

==Chronology==

<pre>-The Dimensional Vortex, a frail area of space-time in which many temporal
fragments cross and accumulate, exists.
-A strange Temporal Research Lab exists as one of the fragments.
-Dalton arrives from his battle with the party in 12000 B.C.
-Angry at the heroes for stopping his plans to rule the era, he discovers the
Kingdom of Guardia from his temporal vantagepoint and plans to destroy it.
-Dalton departs to the present era to raise an army in Porre and destroy
Guardia.</pre>

''From'': [[Locations (Chrono Trigger)]]