Conduit

The Conduit is a catalyst for many of the events in the Xenoblade Chronicles series. It is a mysterious source of energy.

Appearance
The Conduit is a large monolith shaped like a wide cross with short side arms. It glows with a brilliant golden light.

Function
The Conduit appears to possess an infinite amount of energy, is able to warp reality, and can serve as a portal to parallel universes.

It is the power source for the Aegises as well as for the World Tree.

History
The Conduit was discovered in Africa at the beginning of the 21st century.

A large academic institution known as Aoidos undertook the study of the object aboard the Orbital Ring and uncovered that it possessed an infinite amount of energy as well as being a portal to parallel universes.

The Trinity Processor was created to govern and defend the Conduit.

As part of the scientist Klaus' experiment, he activated the power of the Conduit. As a result, people and things in Klaus' universe disappeared into other universes. This also directly led to the creation of another universe. Additionally, it nearly erased all human civilization on Earth, leaving behind the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 world of Alrest and the Land of Morytha.

After this cataclysmic event, the Conduit apparently went into a hibernative state.

Plot
In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the party meets the Architect at the top of the World Tree. He reveals that the Conduit has begun to show signs of awakening again. He is also aware that when his other half is destroyed that he will cease to exist in the Alrestian universe. He believes that at this point, the Conduit will disappear from the Alrestian universe.

A short time later, the Architect's prediction comes true. A portal of light appears above the Conduit and it dissolves, causing the collapse of the World Tree.

Lore

 * The Aegises all have Core Crystals shaped like the Conduit. This is likely due to their relationship to the Conduit via the Trinity Processor.
 * Though not officially confirmed, it is implied that Alvis has a similar relationship as the Aegises to the Conduit. In Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, his character model was modified to have a Conduit-shaped red Core Crystal necklace instead of a key.
 * The Conduit closely resembles the Zohar from Xenogears and Xenosaga in both form and function.