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Azar
Master of Realmslore
1309 Posts |
 Posted - 10 May 2020 : 22:21:13
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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?
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Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.
Earth names in the Realms are more common than you may think. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3741 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2020 : 22:59:09
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| -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. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Azar
Master of Realmslore
1309 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2020 : 23:15:07
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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. |
Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.
Earth names in the Realms are more common than you may think. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2020 : 00:02:16
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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. |
[/Ayrik] |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2428 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2020 : 15:38:45
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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. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
Edited by - TBeholder on 11 May 2020 16:04:08 |
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Storyteller Hero
Learned Scribe
USA
329 Posts |
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Subtle planar portals in the Realms?
