I’d agree with ace of rogues there isn’t a very hard definition, but depending on the kind of portal, a Gate spell could possibly work, or a teleportation circle. At least as a baseline or the start of an idea of how much of a challenge it would be.
So basically if the party wants to restore a portal to working order, I just need to come up with some way for them to do that? I figured the Gate spell would not work due to being temporary and not knowing where the disabled portal leads.
If you’re the DM, you can decide anything will or won’t work. Could be that gate wouldn’t create a permanent portal, but since there already was one, it can be used to, basically, jump-start it.
That was a thought I had when you mentioned it earlier, just wasn't sure if it would be appropriate. I try to keep the game fairly lore accurate, I am the DM. My first time being the DM so that is why I am trying not to stray too far from the path right now.
I am the DM. I have not found much on portals as far as creating and nothing on fixing/restoring them. Everything just seems to be about breaking them.
I think that’s because they’re largely a plot device, and also so players can’t just go around making them. So the DM can include the portal-making artifact or ritual or whatever, if they want to let the players make one.
Makes sense in that regard but would be helpful for my group. I'm basically running a Lvl 3-20 campaign and I told them they have free roam over Faerun and the Underdark. A portal here or there would be nice. Guess I need to figure out a way for them to fix them.
Oh, well then there’s teleportation circle. Which is a lower-level spell, anyway. Then you can place permanent circles wherever you like, and treat them like fast travel points in video games. The party will get 2 for free, but otherwise need to visit or otherwise acquire the coordinates to use one.
After reading the teleportation circles link I have a better grasp on that concept. Some portals that are already stated to exist do mention that they are damaged or not functioning properly which is where my original curiousity came from. Just was not sure if anything about fixing them or turning them back on was a thing. I will probably implement something around teleportation circles or the Gate spell to jump start them like Xalthu mentioned earlier. It will be a while before they get to any of those portals so I have some time to hash out the specifics.
That helped clear somethings up as well. I think I can explain it better to the party now and I should be able to come up with something for them to fix or restart existing ones.
I wanna thank you guys. You were all very helpful and pretty quick to help. Hopefully I won't screw up my first campaign.
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If a portal is malfunctioning or disabled, is there a particular way that one can go about doing that?
That’s up to the DM, particularly because there’s no hard baseline for “portal” in RAW.
I’d agree with ace of rogues there isn’t a very hard definition, but depending on the kind of portal, a Gate spell could possibly work, or a teleportation circle. At least as a baseline or the start of an idea of how much of a challenge it would be.
So basically if the party wants to restore a portal to working order, I just need to come up with some way for them to do that? I figured the Gate spell would not work due to being temporary and not knowing where the disabled portal leads.
If you’re the DM, you can decide anything will or won’t work. Could be that gate wouldn’t create a permanent portal, but since there already was one, it can be used to, basically, jump-start it.
That was a thought I had when you mentioned it earlier, just wasn't sure if it would be appropriate. I try to keep the game fairly lore accurate, I am the DM. My first time being the DM so that is why I am trying not to stray too far from the path right now.
I am the DM. I have not found much on portals as far as creating and nothing on fixing/restoring them. Everything just seems to be about breaking them.
I think that’s because they’re largely a plot device, and also so players can’t just go around making them. So the DM can include the portal-making artifact or ritual or whatever, if they want to let the players make one.
Makes sense in that regard but would be helpful for my group. I'm basically running a Lvl 3-20 campaign and I told them they have free roam over Faerun and the Underdark. A portal here or there would be nice. Guess I need to figure out a way for them to fix them.
Oh, well then there’s teleportation circle. Which is a lower-level spell, anyway. Then you can place permanent circles wherever you like, and treat them like fast travel points in video games. The party will get 2 for free, but otherwise need to visit or otherwise acquire the coordinates to use one.
What do you mean by them getting 2 for free? And about visiting or acquiring the coordinates for them to use it?
Teleportation Circle
Seconding Xalthu, teleportation circles are the closest dnd equivalent to permanent outside of ones that are just stated to exist.
After reading the teleportation circles link I have a better grasp on that concept. Some portals that are already stated to exist do mention that they are damaged or not functioning properly which is where my original curiousity came from. Just was not sure if anything about fixing them or turning them back on was a thing. I will probably implement something around teleportation circles or the Gate spell to jump start them like Xalthu mentioned earlier. It will be a while before they get to any of those portals so I have some time to hash out the specifics.
Not sure if this helps, @Lonewolf, but some time ago, searching about Teleportation Circles I found this thread in DDB: Teleportation Circle Sigils - Rules & Game Mechanics
It has interesting opinions. I also left some examples I found in a couple of D&D adventures.
That helped clear somethings up as well. I think I can explain it better to the party now and I should be able to come up with something for them to fix or restart existing ones.
I wanna thank you guys. You were all very helpful and pretty quick to help. Hopefully I won't screw up my first campaign.