Type of action for using a magic portal?

[Ambrus]

Rules governing portals appear in both the Forgotten Realms CS and Manual of the Planes (and possibly other sources) but I can't find any mention of the type of action required to open and/or step through a magic portal. I'm looking for an official ruling, but lacking that I'll take a general consensus.

Here are my thoughts on the subject; please correct me if I'm wrong:

Some keyed portals only require the presence of a type of object to open them. As such, it would seem that opening the portal could simply be considered a part of moving; walking up to and through the portal with the object in one's possession automatically opens the gate as a free action. Attacks of Opportunity are triggered only as a result of moving as per the RAW.

Similarly, if a portal is keyed to open at the sound of a spoken word, and since speaking is normally a free action, couldn't moving through the portal be a move action (or a five foot step if one is adjacent to the portal)?

Other portals that require elaborate gestures to be performed would require a move equivalent action to open them, provoking AoOs as for opening a normal door. Moving through the portal is a separate action; accomplished as per the moving rules.

Portals that require a spell to be cast to be opened naturally take the amount of time necessary to cast the spell in question; provoking AoOs normally.

Thoughts?

 

[FEADIN]

You have to separate the way to open the portal from the movement to cross through.
Opening a door is a move equivalent action that doesn't provoque AoO.
Opening with an object is probably a free action unless you have to concentrate or make some gesture, in this case it's at least a swift action.
Same case if you have to speak, if you concentrate or invoque a magical word it's at least a swift action.
Elaborate gesture as you say is sure to be at the very least a move action, I would go for a standard action.
Crossing the portal is a move action (because you move...) or a 5' step if you're near enough.
My idea is that it's at best a swift action but the standard action seems more logical.

 

[moritheil]

Here are my thoughts on the subject; please correct me if I'm wrong:

Some keyed portals only require the presence of a type of object to open them. As such, it would seem that opening the portal could simply be considered a part of moving; walking up to and through the portal with the object in one's possession automatically opens the gate as a free action. Attacks of Opportunity are triggered only as a result of moving as per the RAW.

You're thinking of Sigil portals; FR portals may or may not behave that way.

 

[irdeggman]

Activating a magic item is a standard action unless specifed otherwise.

Rules Compendium pg 8

Table lists Command, Manipulation, Mental, Scroll, Spell trigger all as normally requiring a standard action.

Some items are activated by merely "wearing them", but it seems to me that the portal with a verbal (or even a mental) activation method falls under the standard action rules.

Rules Compendium pg 82.

Command - "Activating a command item takes the same amount of time as the casting time of the spell that th item's power duplicates. If the power doesn't duplicate a spell, activating the item is a standard action unless its description says otherwise,"