Temporary portals

[Pen N Popper]

There are many places that would be fun to visit for OOC sightseeing and IC RP. My suggestion is to have a GM placed portal to/from a new location each week. Wouldn't have to be persistent and could cost 300gp like Morakens or be free.
  Examples:
[list=1]

• Portal to/from player events (tavern openings, large wedding, hangings)
• Hard to reach temple locations (this would allow some donations, purchase of flags, etc.)
• Towns visited infrequently (Lar, Shoufal, Great Library)
• Areas the GM team would like to show off (fancy areas that took a lot of toolset work)

 I'm not suggesting this be on a set schedule or added permanently to the module. Just a travelling wizard from the Layonara department of tourism that pops up now and then.

[jan]

Love the idear,would allow some to visit places they always wondered about .

[Acacea]

Hate portals all over the place, though I know that's just me. I prefer to emphasize distance rather than trivialize it further... I love magic (I play a Lucindite), but for me the mystery of the arcane is only present when there is a distinction in the common world...it's why I like low-magic places even though I adore magical settings. The grit and the realism are stark contrasts to the otherworldliness of it, whether divine or arcane. I like to keep magic special--currently our wizards may teleport themselves at level...14? So we have a travelling level 14 (at least) wizard around spewing teleports or something. Meh.  

I realize we are not in a true low-magic setting, but I still always hesitate before offering magical solutions to mundane problems unless it is appropriate to the source. Why not caravan wagons instead?

[Gulnyr]

*nods at Acacea*

[Dorganath]

No system currently exists for a generalized placeable portal system as you suggest, so just dropping down a paired set of portals now and then is not currently possible. What we currently use for cross-server portaling (including ship travel) is close, but not quite what we'd need to make this work. I just offer that as an FYI...
  I won't say whether I think it's a good idea or not, as I see benefits and negatives to this, as noted above by both supporters and detractors. Truly, I haven't formed an opinion.
  One other thing I'll mention, and I know it was just an example, but for very important and valid in-game reasons there will not be a temporary portal to the Great Library if such a system was put into place. It is already quite easy to reach and the Niasa of Voltrex would never approve of a temporary portal that was not controlled by an agreement such as the one that governs the permanent one.

[Gulnyr]

To add a little substance, I would suggest that the journey is part of the fun, and seeing something new is the reward for a successful trip.  If it becomes too easy to get somewhere, whether that be a player event location, a temple, a distant city, or a nice area, it cheapens that place some.  The less challenging it is to get there, the less rewarding it is to see it.  

I feel the most sympathy toward reaching temples, but it seems proper that some are hard to reach.  Take the Temple of Vorax on Mistone as an example.  A follower of Vorax may want a flag with his god's symbol, but does he have a right to that flag if he hasn't fought his way there to get it himself?  How much more special is that banner after he went through such trouble to get it?

There are a lot of places I'd like to see, but I'd like to make it there because Jennara earned it somehow.  That doesn't mean no one should ever be allowed the use of some sort of quick path to a place, just that I wouldn't want to use it.  I do feel, though, that I will eventually have the option to see new things, possibly sooner than later, and I can understand how those with less play time might feel they would never be able to see certain things using only 'normal' means.

[Acacea]

*nods at Gulnyr*

[Pen N Popper]

I consider the temporary portals more as teasers.  "This area is great, I've -got- to get back here soon on my own."  

Or perhaps to see an area that while being relatively safe, like a distant city, crosses through areas that require a level some of us will never attain.

How many have been to the tree where the dragon that called many, many PCs resided before the great battles against Bloodstone?

I understand about the Great Library, but a portal to the portal might push a few more curious players to visit the place.

[J-ser]

If they do go in, make them one way.
*grins*

[Polak76]

Just a though and probably more suited to the NEw Ideas thread, but I like the idea that a powerful Wizard can summon a portal for a party to enter, unlike the lvl 14 one for himself.  Maybe this could be an epic feat like Time Stop, calling it say Epic Transporation or whatever.

Mages aside though, I prefer the old fashion method of travel.  It can often make for a good adventure.

Cheers,
polak76

[Leanthar]

"...Just a though and probably more suited to the NEw Ideas thread, but I like the idea that a powerful Wizard can summon a portal for a party to enter, unlike the lvl 14 one for himself...."

This is one of those things that was going to be done but due to time/RL/schedule/projects...and the list goes on and on it has not yet been implemented. Not sure if it ever will.

[jrizz]

Gulnyr - 10/29/2006  10:56 AM

To add a little substance, I would suggest that the journey is part of the fun, and seeing something new is the reward for a successful trip.  If it becomes too easy to get somewhere, whether that be a player event location, a temple, a distant city, or a nice area, it cheapens that place some.  The less challenging it is to get there, the less rewarding it is to see it..

So agree!
It was a harrowing journey for my ranger to sneak all the way through the great forest to the great oak. He got spotted and died more then once trying to figure out how to get there. When he made it, it was a defining moment for him.