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Portal: Difference between revisions

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A '''portal''' is a (generally) temporary gateway to a special level. Each such level has multiple possibilities for its exact layout and inhabitants, but always follows a specific theme. You will almost certainly encounter some of these in every game, but it is extremely rare to ever find all of them in a single run-through. In the console version of ''Crawl'', portals are represented by the {{White|∩}} glyph.
A '''portal''' is a (generally) temporary gateway to a special level. Each such level has multiple possibilities for its exact layout and inhabitants, but always follows a specific theme. You will almost certainly encounter some of these in every game, but it is extremely rare to ever find all of them in a single run-through. In the console version of ''Crawl'', portals are represented by the {{White|∩}} glyph.
   
   
Portals can be silent or announced. [[Bazaar]]s and [[Labyrinth]]s always announce their presence when you first enter the level, and periodically sound out afterwards, giving you a hint as to their distance and how long they will remain open. Silent portals will not generate any messages when entering the level or exploring, but you can still get an idea of the remaining time once they are in sight by examining the entrance. [[Volcano]]es, [[Ossuary|Ossuaries]], [[Sewers]], and [[Ice Cave]]s are all silent unless in your direct line of sight, despite being timed.   
Portals are either silent or announced. Silent portals will exist until you enter them, even if you leave the level. Announced portals are timed, and will eventually close if you do not get to them fast enough.   


When a portal times out somewhere out of sight, you may get a message such as: "The floor vibrates strangely!" [[Treasure Trove]]s and [[Ziggurat]]s won't ever time out; of course, after they are used once, they may not be entered again.
When a portal times out somewhere out of sight, you may get a message such as: "The floor vibrates strangely!" [[Treasure Trove]]s and [[Ziggurat]]s won't ever time out; of course, after they are used once, they may not be entered again.
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==History==
==History==
*In [[0.13]] all the portal vaults will be announced.
*In [[0.12]] and earlier, many timed portals were not announced  
*[[The Spider's Nest]] was upgraded from a portal level to a full-fledged dungeon branch in [[0.11]].
*[[The Spider's Nest]] was upgraded from a portal level to a full-fledged dungeon branch in [[0.11]].


[[Category:Portals|*]]
[[Category:Portals|*]]
[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]
[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]

Revision as of 23:57, 6 January 2014

This page is about the dungeon feature. For the card, see Portal card. For the (obsolete) spell, see Portal (spell).


A portal is a (generally) temporary gateway to a special level. Each such level has multiple possibilities for its exact layout and inhabitants, but always follows a specific theme. You will almost certainly encounter some of these in every game, but it is extremely rare to ever find all of them in a single run-through. In the console version of Crawl, portals are represented by the ∩ glyph.

Portals are either silent or announced. Silent portals will exist until you enter them, even if you leave the level. Announced portals are timed, and will eventually close if you do not get to them fast enough.

When a portal times out somewhere out of sight, you may get a message such as: "The floor vibrates strangely!" Treasure Troves and Ziggurats won't ever time out; of course, after they are used once, they may not be entered again.

The following comprises all known portal levels, with their in-game description and a brief explanation:

Early Game

Ossuary
A sand-covered staircase
Zombies and mummies and traps, oh my!
The Sewers
A glowing drain
Wade through rat- and snake-infested waters. Mind the kobolds.

Mid Game

Bailey
A flagged portal
Ranged weapons and/or a slugfest with orcs, gnolls, and goblins.
Ice Cave
A frozen archway
Assorted frigid monsters and ice statues abound. Bring cold resistance and watch your potions.
Labyrinth
A labyrinth entrance
Find the exit, beat the minotaur guarding it. Bring extra food.
Volcano
A dark tunnel
Everything is on fire. Including you and your scrolls, if you forget your fire resistance.

Late Game

Wizard Laboratory
A magic portal
The private laboratories of any one of several strange characters.

Anywhere

Bazaar
A gateway to a bazaar
Shopping trip!
Malign Gateway
A portal to somewhere
Not a true portal, but the short-lived result of a spell: eldritch tentacle imminent. Walk into it to blink, if you really want to.

Treasure Trove

A portal to a secret trove of treasure
A collection of treasure customized for your character... at a specific, peculiar price. (No portal timer.)

Ziggurat

A gateway to a ziggurat
The ultimate challenge. (No portal timer.)

History

  • In 0.12 and earlier, many timed portals were not announced
  • The Spider's Nest was upgraded from a portal level to a full-fledged dungeon branch in 0.11.