Portals are the veins of Nowhere Land. They are not uniform; they are as varied as the domains they connect. Understanding their anatomy and design is the first step to surviving them.
Anatomy of a Portal
Structural Components
1. The Frame (The Anchor)
The physical object that grounds the portal. Can be a stone arch, a mirror, a puddle, or a drawn chalk line. If the Frame is broken, the portal destabilizes.
2. The Event Horizon (The Veil)
The surface of the portal. Shimmering, opaque, or transparent. Touching it initiates the "Handshake" protocol (see Activation).
3. The Throat (The Tunnel)
The metaphysical space between A and B. Usually instantaneous, but sometimes a long, hallucinogenic corridor.
4. The Keyhole (The Trigger)
The mechanism to open it. Can be a physical slot, a sonic frequency, or a specific emotion.
Portal Catalog
Natural Portals
A distortion in the air, like heat haze. Hard to spot (Perception TN 20). Leads to random locations.
Any reflective surface (water, glass, eyes). Only opens when you look away.
Opens only in absolute darkness. Leads to the Void or dark domains.
Beneath ancient trees. Leads to nature domains (Verdant Tangle).
Constructed Portals
Classic stone or metal frame. Stable, reliable. Often guarded.
A freestanding door frame. Knocking 3 times opens it.
Reading a specific passage transports the reader into the story.
Step into the canvas. The portal looks like the destination.
Exotic Portals
A living mouth of a giant creature. You must be swallowed to enter.
A specific melody creates a temporary portal in the air.
A tear in reality, bleeding light. Deals damage to enter.
Walking backwards through a specific alleyway at noon.
Energy Signatures
| Color/Sensation | Likely Destination | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|
| Violet / Static | The Count's Domain / Hubs | Low |
| Green / Smell of Ozone | Nature / Wild Domains | Medium |
| Red / Heat | War / Fire / Hellscapes | High |
| Black / Cold | The Void / Dead Domains | Extreme |
| Gold / Singing | Exalted / Divine Realms | Variable |