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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JoeGKushner" data-source="post: 2010297" data-attributes="member: 1129">Plexus, Potent Portals, takes a page from the Philip J. Reed school of creation, lots of interesting little bits that can be added whole or one at a time to a campaign.  The table of contents breaks the book up into different types of portals: Archways, Gates, Bars, Shutters, Coverings, Curtains, Doors, Trapdoors, Knobs, Knockers, Latches, Locks, Skylights and Windows.Each entry is listed in alphabetical order with the centered name of the portal leading off into the mechanics.  Each item includes the creation rules necessary, mainly a list including caster minimal level, craft wondrous item, required spells, market price and the weight.  Most of the portals cast or use spells straight from the PHB, many renamed from Creative Mountain’s version of the SRD spells.  Some of the items have multiple spell effects and would be best for high magic play like the Druid’s Arch, capable of granting different spells and spell effects to those who pass under it and speak a command word. Others are simply traps that have spells as the effect like Death’s Door, which triggers a Circle of Death or the Harmful Handle,  that casts harm on the person touching it.I found myself looking for things not in the book.  First off, perhaps not a problem with the book but one with the d20 system is that most of these are devices that spells are hung on and left to be activated.  Does that make them traps and if so, where is the trap CR, search and spot check DCs necessary to overcome them.  Next up, its nice to have the market cost, but as a player of a mage, I want the creation cost, both in gold and experience points listed.  Since this book is a magic item tome, I’d also like a breakdown of the portals by caster level with the other requirements listed.The writing is solid but can be a bit wordy at times.  Look at Death’s Door. “This unassuming portal looks like it is ready to fall off of its hinges, but it packs a powerful punch. Despite its harmless appearance, it is imbued with a powerful and deadly magic.”  Okay, what is the second sentence telling me that the first one didn’t?  The books ‘tells’ the reader too much about what its describing.  Layout is standard two-columns with a simple border.  Artwork is minimal but complements the product.So what would make this product better?  How about the material that doors are made of, costs and other useful information.  How about a master definition and brief history of each of the subjects covered here.  When were skylights first in use and what type of archways and gates are most common?  Lastly, something that went a little beyond the whole ‘spell’ effect that almost all the doorways have would’ve helped give the book a unique feel.  As is stands, Plexus has some good trap seeds that GMs can sprinkle into his campaign but may not be for everyone.</blockquote>

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