Gate Gate was a conjuration spell that connected two plane s for two - way travel or the summoning and control of creatures or beings of great power to aid the caster . Older versions of this spell allowed one - way travel for a named entity and requested their help rather than commanding it . Effects . The early versions of this spell required the caster to call out the name of the being they wished to contact and ask for their aid . The " gate " spell then opened a temporary one - way portal near the named entity allowing them , or perhaps their designated representative , to step through into the presence of the caster . Deities and other uniquely powerful individuals could prevent such portals from opening near them , but they were always aware of the request for help . What stepped through the " gate " and what action it took depended on a great number of factors including the alignment of the caster , the alignment or character of the caster ' s companions , the nature of the threat to the caster , and the exigency of the situation . Asking for extraplanar aid was not to be done on a whim : this spell aged the caster by five years and the aid usually came with an additional price . If the situation was deemed trivial or unworthy of the named entity , it might have exacted some punishment or penalty on the caster and then returned to its plane of origin . If the status was deemed interesting or important but not urgent , some bargaining for the entity ' s service might have ensued . If the circumstances were dire and immediate , the entity might have taken appropriate action and then named a price later . The newer version of this spell was much more forceful in its summons and also could be used for interplanar travel : Interplanar Travel . Similar to the " plane shift " spell , " gate " allowed two - way passage between two different planes of existence but was very precise , connecting two specific points exactly . Beings who were powerful enough to control a realm could prevent the opening of a gate within their demesne or near their person if they wished . The temporary portal lasted only as long as the caster maintained concentration on it and never longer than a few seconds per experience level of the caster . Anyone or anything , including most magical spell effects , entering the gate were instantly transported to the other plane . A " gate " filling a hallway was an extremely effective barrier , diverting almost any form of attack into the destination plane ( and possibly angering the residents ) . Calling Creatures . If a creature type or a specific creature was named as part of the casting of this spell , the " gate " opened up in close proximity to the desired creature ( s ) ( subject to the limits imposed by deities and the like , which could not be compelled to enter the " gate " against their will ) and pulled them through into the presence of the caster whether they were willing or not . The gate subsequently closed , allowing no other passage . Deities had to be bargained with , but lesser creatures were under the control of the caster and could either be commanded to perform an immediate task for no reward lasting no longer than a few seconds per experience level of the caster , or offered terms for a longer period of servitude or for performing a more complex task . The terms of the contract had to be fair and reasonable to both parties and formed a bond between them . Upon completion of the terms of service , the creature ( s ) immediately appeared before the caster and payment was due at that time . If full payment was not made , the caster was then forced to serve the injured party ( or its master ) which could do as they wished , including attack . After the resolution of the contract the creature or creatures were free to return to their plane of origin . Instead of aging the caster , calling creatures with this version of " gate " cost him or her a significant amount of life experience . One large and / or very tough creature could be summoned and controlled by this spell , or several smaller / weaker creatures , but the caster was advised to know beforehand if he or she had enough experience to control all that was summoned . Any uncontrolled creature was free to return to its home plane , might or might not bargain , and could act according to its reason and instincts , making this form of " gate " a very dangerous spell to cast . Description . The " gate " itself was circular with a diameter of 5 to 20 ft ( 1 . 5 to 6 . 1 m ) as specified by the caster and could be placed at any convenient angle and location within 100 ft ( 30 m ) plus 5 ft ( 1 . 5 m ) per experience level . It had an active side and a passive side . The active side looked like a perfect window into the other plane and anything ( matter or magic ) that entered the active side was instantly transported to the other plane . Anything that entered the passive side was ignored by the " gate " . Components . Only verbal and somatic components were required to cast this spell , but there was a price for summoning a creature . The older version aged the caster by five years whereas the newer version cost a significantly large amount of life experience . Descriptor Note . When used to call an air , chaotic , earth , evil , fire , good , lawful , or water creature , this spell became a spell of that type . For example , " gate " was a chaotic and evil spell when used to call a demon . History . The Netherese arcanist Valdick was given the credit for the creation of this spell in 2037 NR ( - 1822 DR ) . Gate was a common spell in the Realms . This spell was used as a component in creating of a portal .