Dungeon Master's Guide

"PLANAR PORTALS
• aistlin's] eyes studied the Portal, studied every detail
ently-although it was not really necessary. He had seen
-myriad times in dreams both sleeping and waking. The
._ells to open it were simple, nothing elaborate or complex.
~-ch ofthefive dragon heads surrounding and guarding
~ Portal must be propitiated with the correct phrase. Each
:.tSt be spoken to in the proper order. But, once that was
_ ne and the White-Robed Cleric had exhorted Po/adine
·'ltercede and hold the Portal open, they would enter.
· · ould close behind them.
_-md he would face his greatest challenge.
-Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, War of the Twins
~orta l "
is a general term for a stationary interplanar
nnection that links a specific location on one plane
a pecific location on another. Some portals function
.:-e doorways, appearing as a clear window or a fog­
.;.--ouded passage, and interplanar travel is as simple
.--epping through the doorway. Other portals are
tions-circles of standing stones, soaring towers,
ing ships, or even whole towns-that exist in
tiple planes at once or flicker from one plane to
- ther. Some are vortices, joining an Elemental Plane
- a very similar location on the Material Plane, such
-= - e heart of a volcano (leading to the· Plane of Fire) or
depths of the ocean (to the Plane of Water).
? ing through a planar portal can be the simplest
_-w travel from the Material Plane to a desired
arion on another plane. Most of the time, though, a
:tal presents an adventure in itself.
:=- t. the adventurers must find a portal that leads
ere they want to go. Most portals exist in distant
ations, and a portal's location often has thematic
- arities to the plane it leads to. For example, a portal
- e heavenly mountain of Celestia might be located
a mountain peak.
- cond, portals often have guardians charged with
illfing that undesirable people don't pass through.
:;>ending on the portal's destination, "undesirable
- pie·· might include evil characters, good characters,
:ards , thieves, anyone wearing a robe, or any mortal
-e ture. A portal's guardian is typically a powerful
- · gical creature, such as a genie, sphinx, titan, or
.-e of the portal's destination plane.
-=-mally, most portals don't stand open all the time,
_-open only in particular situations or when a certain
_ ·rement is met. A portal can have any conceivable
- ement, but the following are the most common:
e. The portal functions only at particular times:
ilfing a full moon on the Material Plane, or every ten
y . or when the stars are in a particular position.
nee it opens, such a portal remains open for a
ired time, such as for three days following the full
~ n . or for an hour, or for ld4 + 1 rounds.
-- ation. The portal functions only if a particular
ondition is met. A situation-keyed portal opens
on a clear night, or when it rains, or when a certain
spell is cast in its vicinity .
Random. A random portal functions for a random
period, then shuts down for a similarly random
duration. Typically, such a portal allows ld6 +
6 travelers to pass through, then shuts down
for ld6 days.
Command Word. The portal functions only if a
particular command word is spoken. Sometimes the
word must be spoken as a character passes through
the portal (which is otherwise a mundane doorway,
window, or similar opening). Other portals open when
the command word is spoken and remain open for a
short time.
Key. The portal functions if the traveler is holding a
particular object; the item acts much like a key to
ll. door. This key item can be a common object or a
particular key created for that portal. The city of Sigil
above the Outlands is known as the City of Doors
because it features an overwhelming number of such
item-keyed portals.
Learning and meeting a portal's requirements can
draw characters into further adventures as they chase
down a key item, scour old libraries for command
words, or consult sages to find the right time
to visit the portal.