Gateway in the process of forming
Gateway in the process of forming
Note: The main prerequisite for Gateway creation is having a Shadow-altering power of some sort. Pattern or Logrus are ideal for this, allowing for the strongest possible Gateways. Relying on other powers will reduce the effectiveness of the Gateways made. Broken Pattern is a special case. While Gateways made are nearly as strong as those forged by one with Pattern or Logrus, the chance of error rises considerably, and, if one isn't careful, the Dark Well can lurk behind a Gateway. As such, those using Gateway by means of the Broken Pattern must remain ever-vigilant, so the Flaw will not destroy them in a moment of carelessness.
Gateway is the ability to 'shortcut' through Shadow, much as Trump does. However, where Trump requires a focus, which can eventually be surpassed, Gateway is powered directly by the user. It is debatable whether it is actually a seperate power, or merely using a person's Shadow travel abilities to the utmost.
Attribute Tips for Gateway. Gateway is considerably draining on the user, making Endurance a prime attribute. Anything less than Amber Endurance will drastically limit the usage of this power. Psyche is important, as well, to be successful in seeking out the psychic residue of the person or place being contacted.
Mental Communication. By concentrating, and picturing a well-known individual in one's mind, they can be contacted from afar, even through Shadow. The procedure for successfully initiating contact is identical to that for Trump, and it can be blocked in the same fashion. Time to initiate can take from a matter of seconds to several minutes, and is dependant both on the user's Psyche, and the distance in Shadow to the target. It takes a high Psyche to reach from Amber to Chaos, and even then, the contact will be shaky, and fatiguing to maintain. This is the least draining method of contact, and can be maintained for a considerable period by someone with at least an Amber Endurance. Note that this does not allow for transport, in itself, and that having people 'join in' to a contact is not standard for this power (if such is desired, psychic contact must be achieved via standard means).
Contact Identification. When being contacted mentally, whether by Trump, Gateway, or other means, the character may be able to sense the identity of the person attempting to touch their mind. This depends on two factors. First, the person contacting the character must be well-known to them. Second, if the person attempting the contact is actively trying to disguise their mental signature, an advantage in Psyche is needed.
Gateway Sense. The character has the ability to sense the creation of a Gateway (or Trump Gate) anywhere in the immediate area, even before it has formed. Range is dependant on Psyche.
Gateway Creation. This is the 'main' power of Gateway, the one that allows transportation between Shadow. To create a Gateway, either mental contact must be achieved with an individual (in order to sense the target location), or the target area must be known well enough to create the necessary link. If the latter, there is a possibility of error - very slim with Pattern or Logrus, but more prevalent with other powers. This chance of error rises if the target area has changed since the character last visited it, or if their knowledge of it is imperfect.
Gateways are circular portals, roughly man-sized. They are bordered by blackness (which is not harmful if touched, but feels very cold, like touching ice), and are one-way - that is, they can only be entered from one side, the other side showing only blackness. The 'open' side can be seen through, and transport is achieved by stepping through it. Portals tend to diminish the energy and movement of whatever pass through them. People walking through feel a chill, and the sensation of walking through molassas. A bow shot or sword stroke passing through it would slow to a crawl, and even lava would begin to cool. In general, the more energy or force involved, the more it will be affected.
The creation of a portal takes at least a minute, and usually longer, at this level of expertise, and is governed by the same guidelines as establishing mental contact. Portals cannot be moved, once formed, and concentration must be maintained. If the user stops concentrating, the portal will fade at the same rate it was created, and anything still in transit will be expelled out the far side (towards where it was going to). It requires considerable effort to maintain (though it is not quite as draining as a Trump gate), and will instantly begin to fade when the creator passes through it.
Attribute Tips for Advanced Gateway. As with standard Gateway, both Endurance and Psyche are important.
Gateway Jamming. With effort, a Gateway (or Trump Gate) can be blocked, or negated. If the former, it must occur before the Gateway is fully formed, and is generally successful, unless there is a significant difference in Psyche between creator and blocker. If the latter, it is highly dependant on both Psyche and Endurance. Both sides must put all their concentration into the conflict, and the Gateway may go through periods when it begins to fade, before reestablishing itself.
Micro-Gates. These are extremely small gateways, mainly used for the purpose of scrying or spying. Though they can be seen as normal, they can easily be overlooked - after all, spotting a quarter-sized spot of blackness in a dimly-lit room is difficult, at best. Unlike normal gateways, they do not allow transport, and are entirely one-way with respect to the creator, the other side being only blackness. Creation of these gateways is done as per all others, requiring a well-known person or place to initiate contact, and the precision involved makes them just as draining as a full-sized gate.
Enhanced Gateway Formation. Once the psychic connection to the target being or place is made, formation of the Gateway is a matter of seconds (whether normal-sized or a micro-gate), and less effort is needed to maintain it. In addition, with a good Psyche, practice, and a considerable expenditure of energy, a Gateway can be created in front of a charging individual, or used as an (immobile) shield.
Gateway Artifacts. With this level of mastery, the power to establish mental contact and form a Gateway to a specific person or place can be imbued into an item. This is the equivalent of a Trump Sketch, and not permanent. Generally, mental communication can be done multiple times with the item (the amount depending on the Psyche of the creator, and the time and effort spent creating the item), but creating a Gateway is sufficient to burn out the item within a few minutes. Though the medium used can vary, the power than can be emplaced is limited by the material - using the equivalent of a Trump card would not be enough to hold the power needed to form a Gateway, though it could still be used for a few mental contacts.
© 1995-2001 Casey McGirt
