The Thing in the Portal (KotS Spoilers)

[Wormwood]

I'm considering changing the tentacles into the flabby, groping arm of Orcus himself.

 

[pukunui]

Whether it's supposed to be a tentacled denizen of the Shadowfell or just that the portal itself resembles tentacles is beside the point. The thing is that when I see tentacles in a portal, I immediately think Far Realms, aberrations, Cthulhu. Not the Demon Prince of the Undead. It just seems totally out of place in the context and I'm willing to bet it was only included because someone thought it was cool. I'm pretty sure that's what my players will think too.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

[Joshua Randall]

It represents an unholy fusion of the Far Realms and the Shadowfell, which Orcus has been working on for millenia.

What, you thought Kalarel knew all of Orcus' plans? Pshaw!

 

[pukunui]

It represents an unholy fusion of the Far Realms and the Shadowfell, which Orcus has been working on for millenia.

What, you thought Kalarel knew all of Orcus' plans? Pshaw!

LOL. Actually, that's not a bad idea ...

I still think I'm going to keep it simple and change it to skeletal arms. Orcus is going to be the main villain of my first 4e campaign, so I can always throw in ties to the Far Realms at a later date. Maybe Orcus will try to open a portal to the Far Realms to unleash a whole lot of horrible creatures that will run rampant across the world and kill everybody (which is ultimately what Orcus wants -- the aberrations would just be a means to an end).

 

[Stoat]

Change it to the ghastly forms or numerous skulls, straining against the fabric of the world as if through a thin cloth.

 

[frankthedm]

Edit: See Klaus's post below;

The thing sounds like a manifestation of the Dweller on the Threshold. It's governance of doorways and portals is why it is there, not the portal’s end destination.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/incantations.htm#callForththeDweller

If the incantation succeeds, an image of the Dweller—an inky mass of tentacles and mouths—appears on the other side of the doorway.

The Dweller is pretty much the D&D version of Yog-Sothoth.

Now if you want a shadowfell critter that Fits the description, there should be a very nice hydra in the MM.

 

[Rechan]

Frank - where is the Incantation stuff from? (I know in the SRD, but what BOOK did it show up in)?

 

[Boarstorm]

@Rechan: Unearthed Arcana

 

[Rechan]

Wow! I had no idea it was hiding all the way in that book.

I will definitely be converting these suckers over as high level rituals. Mmm yes. The Dweller in the Threshold and the Dis one suits my needs perfectly for an upcoming adventure.

 

[pukunui]

The thing is a manifestation of the Dweller on the Threshold. It's governance of doorways and portals is why it is there, not the portal’s end destination.

The Dweller is pretty much the D&D version of Yog-Sothoth.

Now if you want a shadowfell critter that Fits the description, there should be a very nice hydra in the MM.

So I was right ... it is a Far Realms thing.

I think I might leave it as is then ... because the idea of some Far Realmsy critter that guards portals is actually pretty cool and should creep out my players a bit. Perhaps an Expert-level Arcana/Religion Knowledge check to identify it or something?