Gateway System

Gateway systems can be defined in different ways. However, they are most typically defined as

* systems where headmates have their own physical or spiritual bodies in another world/dimension/universe [including the inner world]

OR

* systems that have a gateway/connection to another world/dimension/universe, that headmates can enter and exit through

By definition, gateway systems have at least a partially metaphysical or spiritual origin. This is because their various headmates can be separate souls or simply spirits who have passed on. This is similar to the concept of Soulbond Systems, but some differences will be clarified below.

A subset of gateway systems is a Dreamway System, where the gateways that a system can access are paracosms related to Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder, neuronarrating or similar expereinces.

## Multiplicity

Gateway systems are non-pathological systems that are usually made up of Walk-ins. Permanent headmates are significantly less likely than in most other systems. These systems can have anywhere from a few to several hundred temporary members who are free to come and go as they please.

The headmates, while away from the front, lead their own lives in an “alternate world(s)”, often seen metaphysically as a parallel plane of existence. This alternate world or worlds often rival the outerworld in complexity, with large populations, detailed histories, elaborate cultures, etc. These worlds may be described as paracosms, though not all people with paracosms are plural.

## Distinguishing From Other Experiences

**Soulbonds:** Gateway systems are similar to the concept of soulbond systems, so it can be easy to mistake one for the other. One difference can be the permanency of the headmates. The headmates in gateway systems are usually much less likely to be permanent than any other type of system. They can also be distinguished through the specific connections headmates have to other universes/worlds/dimensions. Soulbonds have connections to fictional world, while gateway headmates may not always have a connection to a fictional world.

**Mental Disorders:** Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD-1), are post-traumatic mental disorders that cause pathological multiplicity. It's not uncommon for people with DID or OSDD-1 to mistake themselves for gateway systems due to how complex and immersive their own inner worlds can become.  It's also possible for alters in DID/OSDD-1 to develop memories of an alternate life or a "life before the system" to be substituted in place of real memories. It's not uncommon for DID/OSDD-1 systems to have trouble distinguishing these substitute memories from reality due to dissociation.

## Flags

Gateway flag by not-your-introsourceGateway flag by greys-dawn
## References

1. ↑ http://www.astraeasweb.net/plural/faq.html#gateway
2. ↑ Multiplicity101 on Tumblr
3. ↑ ThePluralCommunity on Tumblr
4. ↑ ThatMultipleFeel on Tumblr
5. ↑ Dreamway system coining post by quoipunk on Tumblr
6. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/plural/wiki/glossary#wiki\_gateway\_system
7. ↑ https://books.google.com/books/about/The\_Haunted\_Self.html?id=PPpxN70YLQEC pg.63-64
8. ↑ https://books.google.com/books/about/The\_Haunted\_Self.html?id=PPpxN70YLQEC pg.64
9. ↑ https://books.google.com/books/about/The\_Haunted\_Self.html?id=PPpxN70YLQEC pg.124-128