Nomad's Pocket Universe is a magically created and sustained (maps here) on the Elemental Plane of Fire. The Portable Gate is the magic item used to enter and leave the refuge. It can appear in one of two forms:
The pendant is a malfunctioning magic item. It has quirks and behaves differently for different creatures and under different circumstances. It detects as magic after is has been successfully activated and when functioning. When it has not been activated, it detects as magic for short random durations [1-4 rounds], 1-4 times a day. During these magical moments the pendant may be the object of magical detections, etc. So, for the most part, it appears to be a non-magic item.
When Ghlaucon created this relic, it was made to be attuned to his life aura. The device is now partly broken, and this malfunctioning is not repairable. The first true Mage who spends more than a round with this pendant-device [or with the realm-gate] will experience a magical effect on his or her person. A magical tingle will run through the body. This will be enough contact for the device to switch over masters, so to speak. If the attuned Mage dies or elects to disassociate from the item, then another may gain control.
As Nomad is not necessarily a true mage, it is uncertain whether another may wrest control of the item from him. Because of this, Nomad does not display this item or use it openly.
The item is activated when the attuned Mage (or another sentient being) spends 2 full, concurrent rounds of mental concentration and physical contact with the pendant-device [or realm-gate]. The device is malfunctioning and may activate according to this following chart of circumstances:
| In the 8th & 18th hours of the day | All other times | |
| Ghlaucon or new attuned master |
94% |
20% |
| Any other non-attuned being [with better than animal Intelligence] |
2% * |
1% * |
* - This chance is cumulative for every try within the same day of trying. The maximum accumulated chance is 28% total. This is due to the puzzle-like nature of the device to be operated. This enigma appears to change each day.
Quirk: Each attempt to activate the pendant/gate, whether successful or not, places the device in a noticeable non-functioning mode for 1 hour (if successful, then the hour period begins after the gate closes). So a second attempt can not be made for 1 full hour.
When successfully activated from either side, the pendant increases in size and weight at a moderate speed. Within 2 rounds it takes on the following dimensions: 10' by 12' by 1' thick, with a 1 foot wall; 7056 pounds weight.
Upon activation, the growing pendant-gate automatically stands upright and correctly oriented. It may smash through small wooden structures to do so. If it is restrained by a greater force, the gate will fail to achieve full operating size and the gateway between two worlds would fail to happen. The pendant, within a round would reduce to normal pendant size. Someone from the realm-side could see the failure (if lighting permits).
After the pendant-gate is full-sized, a magical portal is created, a silver shimmering dimensional interface -- or, very simply, a magical gate between two worlds. From the pendant-side one cannot see into the other side. From the realm-side one can glance out and see (if lighting permits) the immediate surrounds of the expanded-pendant-gateway.
On the pendant-side one can step through to Ghlaucon's Realm and arrive at the North end of the Forest Sphere. One steps out of the realm-gate several feet short of the magical barrier of protection that protects the Forest Sphere from the Elemental Plane of Fire.
The item stays in this configuration for 10 rounds or until deactivated (a 1 round action) from either side. It may be held open longer if the attuned Mage remains in contact [concentration is not required] with either the full sided pendant-gate or realm-gate. Then it shrinks to its initial size and weight in 1 round.
Once the Gate deactivates, the pendant, over the course of a round, reduces in side (twice as fast as it grows) and remains where it was initially activated. On the realm-side the view seen through the gate reduces in size and winks out.
Should someone/thing attempt to make a inter-world crossing in the round of deactivation -- well, this hasn't been tried by the Eternals. The results are unknown.
Once the attuned controller of the device passes through the portal to the other side, he/she/it has a magical aura placed about the body, resulting in a substantial joining of realm and master. A Magic Aura of Protection is bestowed upon the master who is attuned. It has the following effect in the Realm and thus in any of the original Spheres in the Realm; +2 AC and all saves.
A successful Dispel Magic cast upon the pendant or realm-gate will deactivate the gating system for 1-6 rounds. Treat as 30th level magic.
On the pendant-side one can step through to Ghlaucon's Realm and arrive at the North end of the Forest Sphere. One steps out of the realm-gate several feet short of the magical barrier of protection that protects the Forest Sphere from the Elemental Plane of Fire.
Two things are immediately obvious.
Here is a map of all four spheres.
There is a completely functioning and maintained ecosystem in this [all] spheres. Fauna includes; a few deer, many gophers, some squirrels, several hogs, ferrets, chipmunks, titmouse, robins, blue jays, hawks, owls, earthworms, spiders, ants and other assorted bugs. Water (and fish and eels) comes in underground from the water sphere.
A Stone Closet is located next to the Gate in the Forest sphere. This is a simple 30 x 30 stone closet with old dusty standard adventurer's accouterments by the dozen.
There is only one Gate to this Realm, and it is located in the Forest Sphere.
Site Map | 13 August 98
copyright © 2001 by Michael Moran Alterio, Michael Babriecki, Harry Ching, Stephen Martin, and Donald R. Parrish III (all rights reserved)