T O P I C R E V I E W |
Azar |
Posted - 10 May 2020 : 22:21:13 In the Forgotten Realms, are there any planar portals that are virtually imperceptible (or even entirely invisible to the mundane senses!) until some hapless soul - say, wandering through ruins lost to the fog of ages - happens to stumble out onto Bytopia, Gehenna, Olympus, etc? |
5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
Storyteller Hero |
Posted - 11 May 2020 : 18:06:04 I think the portals to Sildeyuir in the Yuirwood might require some kind of special procedure.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Yuirwood
There's a permanent portal to the Beastlands in the heart of the Gulthmere Forest.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Gulthmere_Forest
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TBeholder |
Posted - 11 May 2020 : 15:38:45 Anyone without a key can walk straight through a portal without any effect. So, most of them are "subtle", unless were opened in already conspicuous place or had something built around later (for security or convenience). The really obvious planar pathways are elemental vortices. But they naturally open in various ludicrously inaccessible places. |
Ayrik |
Posted - 11 May 2020 : 00:02:16 Portals are usually extensions of the places they connect. So, yes, you could stumble through the mists and step unawares from the Realms to Ravenloft. Or step within a shadowed area which crosses the barrier to the Shadowfell. Or wander into and out of a stone circle which leads to the Feywild.
There's typically some sort of shared property in or around the portal itself. A gate to the Nine Hells would be very out of place in the ocean, it might not be as noticeable near the heart of a sulphurous volcano. Savvy travellers learn which clues to look for and which to avoid.
Some portals only function one way or one time. Or their endpoints move around. Some planes and powers form passages which are deliberately cryptic or misleading. |
Azar |
Posted - 10 May 2020 : 23:15:07 quote: Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-Portals are only detectable if they're obvious, or if somehow has a spell or ability or something that detects magic. Otherwise, they're imperceptible, so yeah, someone could accidentally stumble through one and wind up somewhere very different from where they were expecting to be with just a step.
I imagine that some portals may feature bidirectional penetrability; matter can pass through from the other end as well. Those who possess keen enough senses may pick up on a room far underground containing air far too sweet for the environment and even the dim-witted will eventually notice a cowering rabbit that wasn't there a minute ago. |
Lord Karsus |
Posted - 10 May 2020 : 22:59:09 -Portals are only detectable if they're obvious, or if somehow has a spell or ability or something that detects magic. Otherwise, they're imperceptible, so yeah, someone could accidentally stumble through one and wind up somewhere very different from where they were expecting to be with just a step. |