Does Seek Gate work on nexus portals?

thrash · 12-31-2020, 12:12 PM

As described, magical gates and nexus portals are similar but distinct phenomena:

"A gate can take nearly any shape or color; but the "default" gate is a rectangle of softly shimmering energy .... As long as a gate is large enough, an object or willing being need only step into it to be transported. If an unwilling (or unwitting) person sticks a hand into a gate, removing it can be difficult.... Only one try is permissible; if the [attempt] fails, the victim has no choice but to either stay stuck in the gateway or to pass through.... [Gates] are also opaque to light and nonparticulate radiation in general."
-- Magic, p. 80.

"A "nexus portal" is a hole leading from one dimension to another. It is usually circular and less than 10 yards across, and allows light to freely pass through from both ends (that is, you can see its destination).... Most portals are two-way: you can enter or leave at will. Some, however, are one-way: you can enter but you can't leave. If you stick a limb or object partway through, you can't retrieve it -- it's stuck until you or the object go all the way through."
-- Basic, p. 534.

That is, gates are opaque but nexus portals are transparent; escaping a one-way nexus portal is impossible while there is a chance to escape a partially entered magical gate (which appear to be one-way by default).

Are these entities the same? If so, why the inconsistencies?

Does the Seek Gate spell detect nexus portals? If so, a Seek Gate magical item with a high enough (20+) Power would be a very useful tool in an Infinite Worlds campaign.

If not, what (if anything magical) does?

12-31-2020, 12:12 PM	#1
thrash Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: traveller	Does Seek Gate work on nexus portals? As described, magical gates and nexus portals are similar but distinct phenomena: "A gate can take nearly any shape or color; but the "default" gate is a rectangle of softly shimmering energy .... As long as a gate is large enough, an object or willing being need only step into it to be transported. If an unwilling (or unwitting) person sticks a hand into a gate, removing it can be difficult.... Only one try is permissible; if the [attempt] fails, the victim has no choice but to either stay stuck in the gateway or to pass through.... [Gates] are also opaque to light and nonparticulate radiation in general." -- Magic, p. 80. "A "nexus portal" is a hole leading from one dimension to another. It is usually circular and less than 10 yards across, and allows light to freely pass through from both ends (that is, you can see its destination).... Most portals are two-way: you can enter or leave at will. Some, however, are one-way: you can enter but you can't leave. If you stick a limb or object partway through, you can't retrieve it -- it's stuck until you or the object go all the way through." -- Basic, p. 534. That is, gates are opaque but nexus portals are transparent; escaping a one-way nexus portal is impossible while there is a chance to escape a partially entered magical gate (which appear to be one-way by default). Are these entities the same? If so, why the inconsistencies? Does the Seek Gate spell detect nexus portals? If so, a Seek Gate magical item with a high enough (20+) Power would be a very useful tool in an Infinite Worlds campaign. If not, what (if anything magical) does?