Reason why dimensional travelling would be restricted












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Alternate dimensions/timelines are an important part of one of my settings, a modern fantasy. Magic is well known, and it is possible for objects to be enchanted by a powerful magic user to connect to other universes. Traditionally mirrors are used for this. Each mirror can only be connected to a single alternate universe. These mirrors are very rare and expensive, but luckily one of my main characters happens to own one that he got as a gift.



A major plot point is that while the characters in the main universe, Universe A, can freely go to the other universe, characters in Universe B cannot cross over to Universe A. I have two ideas for the reason:




  • It’s illegal in Universe A to bring natives from alternate universes there.

  • It’s literally impossible, due to a magical lock keeping people from Universe B from crossing over.


Whatever the reason, this restriction would need to be removed at some point so the plot could progress. Any ideas?



Other Details:




  • Universe A is urban, very similar to our world, albeit with several nonhuman sentient species and magic.

  • Universe B is a somewhat dystopian version of Universe A, humans live in walled city states, and the other races are forced to live in disorganized settlements

  • All my main characterss are not human, so the Universe B main characters live outside these city states.










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  • 1




    $begingroup$
    People do illegal things all the time, so that can make it easy to break that restriction if you go with that. Are these mirrors regulated somehow? Monitored? How could authorities know if you bring people from Uni-B to Uni-A?
    $endgroup$
    – Jorgomli
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to the site Sami No, please take the tour and read up in our help centre about how we work: How to Ask You've given some good details, but you will need to edit your question - at the moment "Any ideas?" is too broad to have a definite best answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    19 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are the People from Uni-A able/allowed to return to Uni-A freely after paying a visit in Uni-B? If so, how are you able to tell whether someone is from Uni-A, Uni-B or even Uni-X?
    $endgroup$
    – Tobias F.
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Do you want travelling from UB to UA to become as common as it is currently for UA to UB? Or are you looking for a more rare travel opportunity? Ie once they find this method do you want it to be frequently used or more a plot device to get around the current travel restrictions, leaving the majority of UB in the dark about the new travel features to UA?
    $endgroup$
    – EveryBitHelps
    17 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Politics? If you had a topian world you wouldn't want all the dystopian natives to immigrate at once, and bring the dystopian culture with them.
    $endgroup$
    – immibis
    9 hours ago
















16












$begingroup$


Alternate dimensions/timelines are an important part of one of my settings, a modern fantasy. Magic is well known, and it is possible for objects to be enchanted by a powerful magic user to connect to other universes. Traditionally mirrors are used for this. Each mirror can only be connected to a single alternate universe. These mirrors are very rare and expensive, but luckily one of my main characters happens to own one that he got as a gift.



A major plot point is that while the characters in the main universe, Universe A, can freely go to the other universe, characters in Universe B cannot cross over to Universe A. I have two ideas for the reason:




  • It’s illegal in Universe A to bring natives from alternate universes there.

  • It’s literally impossible, due to a magical lock keeping people from Universe B from crossing over.


Whatever the reason, this restriction would need to be removed at some point so the plot could progress. Any ideas?



Other Details:




  • Universe A is urban, very similar to our world, albeit with several nonhuman sentient species and magic.

  • Universe B is a somewhat dystopian version of Universe A, humans live in walled city states, and the other races are forced to live in disorganized settlements

  • All my main characterss are not human, so the Universe B main characters live outside these city states.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Sami No is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







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  • 1




    $begingroup$
    People do illegal things all the time, so that can make it easy to break that restriction if you go with that. Are these mirrors regulated somehow? Monitored? How could authorities know if you bring people from Uni-B to Uni-A?
    $endgroup$
    – Jorgomli
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to the site Sami No, please take the tour and read up in our help centre about how we work: How to Ask You've given some good details, but you will need to edit your question - at the moment "Any ideas?" is too broad to have a definite best answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    19 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are the People from Uni-A able/allowed to return to Uni-A freely after paying a visit in Uni-B? If so, how are you able to tell whether someone is from Uni-A, Uni-B or even Uni-X?
    $endgroup$
    – Tobias F.
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Do you want travelling from UB to UA to become as common as it is currently for UA to UB? Or are you looking for a more rare travel opportunity? Ie once they find this method do you want it to be frequently used or more a plot device to get around the current travel restrictions, leaving the majority of UB in the dark about the new travel features to UA?
    $endgroup$
    – EveryBitHelps
    17 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Politics? If you had a topian world you wouldn't want all the dystopian natives to immigrate at once, and bring the dystopian culture with them.
    $endgroup$
    – immibis
    9 hours ago














16












16








16


3



$begingroup$


Alternate dimensions/timelines are an important part of one of my settings, a modern fantasy. Magic is well known, and it is possible for objects to be enchanted by a powerful magic user to connect to other universes. Traditionally mirrors are used for this. Each mirror can only be connected to a single alternate universe. These mirrors are very rare and expensive, but luckily one of my main characters happens to own one that he got as a gift.



A major plot point is that while the characters in the main universe, Universe A, can freely go to the other universe, characters in Universe B cannot cross over to Universe A. I have two ideas for the reason:




  • It’s illegal in Universe A to bring natives from alternate universes there.

  • It’s literally impossible, due to a magical lock keeping people from Universe B from crossing over.


Whatever the reason, this restriction would need to be removed at some point so the plot could progress. Any ideas?



Other Details:




  • Universe A is urban, very similar to our world, albeit with several nonhuman sentient species and magic.

  • Universe B is a somewhat dystopian version of Universe A, humans live in walled city states, and the other races are forced to live in disorganized settlements

  • All my main characterss are not human, so the Universe B main characters live outside these city states.










share|improve this question









New contributor




Sami No is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




Alternate dimensions/timelines are an important part of one of my settings, a modern fantasy. Magic is well known, and it is possible for objects to be enchanted by a powerful magic user to connect to other universes. Traditionally mirrors are used for this. Each mirror can only be connected to a single alternate universe. These mirrors are very rare and expensive, but luckily one of my main characters happens to own one that he got as a gift.



A major plot point is that while the characters in the main universe, Universe A, can freely go to the other universe, characters in Universe B cannot cross over to Universe A. I have two ideas for the reason:




  • It’s illegal in Universe A to bring natives from alternate universes there.

  • It’s literally impossible, due to a magical lock keeping people from Universe B from crossing over.


Whatever the reason, this restriction would need to be removed at some point so the plot could progress. Any ideas?



Other Details:




  • Universe A is urban, very similar to our world, albeit with several nonhuman sentient species and magic.

  • Universe B is a somewhat dystopian version of Universe A, humans live in walled city states, and the other races are forced to live in disorganized settlements

  • All my main characterss are not human, so the Universe B main characters live outside these city states.







magic law urban-fantasy dimensions






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edited 4 hours ago









Wilson

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asked 20 hours ago









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  • 1




    $begingroup$
    People do illegal things all the time, so that can make it easy to break that restriction if you go with that. Are these mirrors regulated somehow? Monitored? How could authorities know if you bring people from Uni-B to Uni-A?
    $endgroup$
    – Jorgomli
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to the site Sami No, please take the tour and read up in our help centre about how we work: How to Ask You've given some good details, but you will need to edit your question - at the moment "Any ideas?" is too broad to have a definite best answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    19 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are the People from Uni-A able/allowed to return to Uni-A freely after paying a visit in Uni-B? If so, how are you able to tell whether someone is from Uni-A, Uni-B or even Uni-X?
    $endgroup$
    – Tobias F.
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Do you want travelling from UB to UA to become as common as it is currently for UA to UB? Or are you looking for a more rare travel opportunity? Ie once they find this method do you want it to be frequently used or more a plot device to get around the current travel restrictions, leaving the majority of UB in the dark about the new travel features to UA?
    $endgroup$
    – EveryBitHelps
    17 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Politics? If you had a topian world you wouldn't want all the dystopian natives to immigrate at once, and bring the dystopian culture with them.
    $endgroup$
    – immibis
    9 hours ago














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    People do illegal things all the time, so that can make it easy to break that restriction if you go with that. Are these mirrors regulated somehow? Monitored? How could authorities know if you bring people from Uni-B to Uni-A?
    $endgroup$
    – Jorgomli
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to the site Sami No, please take the tour and read up in our help centre about how we work: How to Ask You've given some good details, but you will need to edit your question - at the moment "Any ideas?" is too broad to have a definite best answer.
    $endgroup$
    – Agrajag
    19 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Are the People from Uni-A able/allowed to return to Uni-A freely after paying a visit in Uni-B? If so, how are you able to tell whether someone is from Uni-A, Uni-B or even Uni-X?
    $endgroup$
    – Tobias F.
    19 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Do you want travelling from UB to UA to become as common as it is currently for UA to UB? Or are you looking for a more rare travel opportunity? Ie once they find this method do you want it to be frequently used or more a plot device to get around the current travel restrictions, leaving the majority of UB in the dark about the new travel features to UA?
    $endgroup$
    – EveryBitHelps
    17 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Politics? If you had a topian world you wouldn't want all the dystopian natives to immigrate at once, and bring the dystopian culture with them.
    $endgroup$
    – immibis
    9 hours ago








1




1




$begingroup$
People do illegal things all the time, so that can make it easy to break that restriction if you go with that. Are these mirrors regulated somehow? Monitored? How could authorities know if you bring people from Uni-B to Uni-A?
$endgroup$
– Jorgomli
19 hours ago




$begingroup$
People do illegal things all the time, so that can make it easy to break that restriction if you go with that. Are these mirrors regulated somehow? Monitored? How could authorities know if you bring people from Uni-B to Uni-A?
$endgroup$
– Jorgomli
19 hours ago












$begingroup$
Welcome to the site Sami No, please take the tour and read up in our help centre about how we work: How to Ask You've given some good details, but you will need to edit your question - at the moment "Any ideas?" is too broad to have a definite best answer.
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
19 hours ago




$begingroup$
Welcome to the site Sami No, please take the tour and read up in our help centre about how we work: How to Ask You've given some good details, but you will need to edit your question - at the moment "Any ideas?" is too broad to have a definite best answer.
$endgroup$
– Agrajag
19 hours ago




3




3




$begingroup$
Are the People from Uni-A able/allowed to return to Uni-A freely after paying a visit in Uni-B? If so, how are you able to tell whether someone is from Uni-A, Uni-B or even Uni-X?
$endgroup$
– Tobias F.
19 hours ago




$begingroup$
Are the People from Uni-A able/allowed to return to Uni-A freely after paying a visit in Uni-B? If so, how are you able to tell whether someone is from Uni-A, Uni-B or even Uni-X?
$endgroup$
– Tobias F.
19 hours ago












$begingroup$
Do you want travelling from UB to UA to become as common as it is currently for UA to UB? Or are you looking for a more rare travel opportunity? Ie once they find this method do you want it to be frequently used or more a plot device to get around the current travel restrictions, leaving the majority of UB in the dark about the new travel features to UA?
$endgroup$
– EveryBitHelps
17 hours ago




$begingroup$
Do you want travelling from UB to UA to become as common as it is currently for UA to UB? Or are you looking for a more rare travel opportunity? Ie once they find this method do you want it to be frequently used or more a plot device to get around the current travel restrictions, leaving the majority of UB in the dark about the new travel features to UA?
$endgroup$
– EveryBitHelps
17 hours ago












$begingroup$
Politics? If you had a topian world you wouldn't want all the dystopian natives to immigrate at once, and bring the dystopian culture with them.
$endgroup$
– immibis
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
Politics? If you had a topian world you wouldn't want all the dystopian natives to immigrate at once, and bring the dystopian culture with them.
$endgroup$
– immibis
9 hours ago










16 Answers
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Universe B does not (yet) have magic mirrors.



Universe A magic mirrors do not connect with a corresponding Universe B magic mirror. Sort of like In Mary Poppins, Bert's sidewalk chalk painting does not connect with a sidewalk chalk painting at the destination - Bert, Mary and the kids enter the chalk painting and emerge in the countryside of the alternate dimension. The cartoon residents of that dimension cannot come into our dimension the same way. Your mirrors connect similarly - some way such that people come thru and go back the way they came, but not vice versa. B people cannot use this route to leave B.



In Mary Poppins they were pulled back to their own world when the chalk painting was destroyed by rain. Maybe something has to happen to the mirror in A to pull the travelers back through - like the lights go out. It would be a good story way to ensure you were not trapped - your magic mirror is set in the garden, and you have until sundown. Unless there are artificial lights...



-



Later in your story the Universe B people, realizing that magic mirrors are possible, eventually make their own. They too are one way and they are more Universe B; different, possibly sinister.






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    Because everyone knows they would die



    In Universe A these mirrors are well known and studied by some very smart people. Even though the average Joe cannot easily obtain a mirror, it is well known to the average UA resident that if you try to bring anything living from Universe B back into UA it will die. Everyone knows this in UA, it's a simple fact that everyone has heard. I mean have you ever met anyone on the street not from this universe?



    If anyone from UB asks to come with the characters back to UB, the character from UA will have to tell them that unfortunately it just is isn't possible. As everyone in UA knows, a UB'er will not survive the trip into UA. You can even add horrible details of how painful they heard the death was.



    But....



    Through a series of events someone from UB either decides to risk it, accidentally falls into the mirror, or is faced with a dire situation anyways, so hey why not. Much to their surprise they open their eyes to UA, and conveniently for them they are still breathing.



    Turns out those smart people had a reason to misinform people, and due to the rarity of the mirrors, and the high cost of proving them wrong those smart people were successful.






    share|improve this answer









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    • 3




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      "Hey, we've run out of lethal injections for all these mass murdering psychopaths!" "Eh, no problem - just chuck 'em through a mirror portal" "... Whoops!"
      $endgroup$
      – Chronocidal
      17 hours ago






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      @Chronocidal that flaw is left in intentionally, I am assuming the mirrors are rare enough that this unlikely, and in theory no-one in UB owns a mirror. Plus there are better things like volcanoes, middle of the ocean, vat a piranhas, etc that could be used.
      $endgroup$
      – TheJahh
      17 hours ago










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      This idea is similar to Star Trek's Holodeck - real people can come and go into the holodeck freely but holograms attempting to leave the holodeck are discorporated.
      $endgroup$
      – G0BLiN
      4 hours ago










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      seems too easy to test with a goldfish.
      $endgroup$
      – Murphy
      2 hours ago



















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    The level of ambient magic in Universe B could simply not be high enough for its natives to pass through a portal. Natives of Universe A are not creating a connection when traveling back to Universe A, but are just dropping their current connection.



    Perhaps the existance of the portals is actually bleeding magic from Universe A into Universe B, and eventually, the ambient magic of Universe B will rise high enough to allow B-to-A travel.






    share|improve this answer











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      Disease.



      Before travelling from Universe A to Universe B, you have to get a set of vaccines to prevent you from contracting common Universe B illnesses. If you do show signs of contagion, there are procedures in place for returning to the Universe A medical center and getting treatment in quarantine. All Universe A citizens are well informed that allowing a Universe B resident to travel into Universe A has the potential to trigger a plague that could kill off millions of people.



      Later, you could have someone "find a cure" for the disease (or determine Universe A residents couldn't contract it in the first place), retracting the travel ban. Or you could determine that it's only actually contagious if you show certain signs within the last three weeks, or a Universe B resident stole a mirror and released the plague already, sending all Universe A citizens running to the doctor for a vaccine they wouldn't normally bother to get. At this point, why bother closing the barn door after the cows have gotten out?






      share|improve this answer









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      • $begingroup$
        You can combine this with Universe A having developed (based on previous encounters and risk analysis) a strictly enforced standard quarantine procedure for any incoming native organisms from Universe B that prescribes incineration. No questions asked, if stuff came in and the magical detector says it's not "ours", cleanse it with dragonfire until there's not a single living cell remaining. Assuming there's a way to "catch" incoming connections (by magic - so there's the asymmetry, Universe B can't do the same thing), that policy would provide a restriction but may be circumvented in story.
        $endgroup$
        – Peteris
        17 hours ago






      • 1




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        TLDR version: Universe B is the antivaxxer universe.
        $endgroup$
        – bta
        14 hours ago










      • $begingroup$
        Related reading: D.O.D.O. A story heavily featuring time/space travel using magic, notably including mention that the arrival of one early visitor from the future outright killed most of a village due to disease before they instituted a program of antibiotics and decontamination showers prior to travel.
        $endgroup$
        – Ruadhan
        13 mins ago



















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      Mirrors are linked to their travelers



      Any one can safely travel through a Mirror from World A (I'll refer to all worlds merely by letter from now on) to B, and thence, back through that mirror return to A. However, Travelling through a Mirror from B will send the traveler to C. Unfortunately C is desolate, inhospitable and unpopulated. Normally anyone who travels there perishes since there are no mirrors to return to B through. Since no one ever comes back from B everyone just assumes it's lethal to travel by mirror originating from B. Eventually someone does bring a mirror through from B to C after which it's discovered that mirror travel from C to A is possible, and travelers from B can return from C to B through the one mirror that was brought there.






      share|improve this answer









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        The Evil One



        Once, long ago, a great evil arose in Universe A. After a Great War, in which many heroic deeds were done and many horrible things happened, the mages of Universe A united in one last, desperate attempt to defeat The Evil One (whose name shall not be mentioned). They were unable to kill this being, but managed to imprison him in his home realm, Universe B. This prison is secured with seven great seals, kept hidden lest they be discovered and destroyed, freeing The Evil One to wreak havoc upon Universe A once more.



        Now, millenia later, the Great War is but a distant memory, and few people actually believe it happened, or that there ever was an Evil One. Dramatic progress has been made into dimensional travel, but the strange fact that only one-way travel to Universe B is not entirely understood. Experts suspect that it is caused by a magical shield, which is anchored somehow by physical objects, but they are not entirely sure how or why it was created. To solve this dilemma and to allow free passage and trade with the disadvantaged people of Universe B, they find an unlikely hero and his ragtag band of misfits, and task them with a great quest: to find a way to unite the peoples of Universe A and Universe B in harmony and great justice.



        Meanwhile, a Great Evil broods and watches, yearning to once more spread his malign influence over the delicious feast once denied him...






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$





















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          $begingroup$

          One such possibility is that the laws of physics are different between the universes, and universe B biology is incompatible with universe A physics.



          For example, suppose that Universe A does not have quantum tunnelling. Thus, the lifeforms there don't need it. If they travel to Universe B, they are largely unaffected. However, The lifeforms in Universe B depend on quantum tunneling. If they were to travel over, they would die, or face medical problems, as you decide.



          This gets somewhat easier to justify if magic is involved. There could be incompatible magics, much like incompatible blood types.






          share|improve this answer









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            The planar travel is possible only if some particular restraints are met.



            Let's say that in the universe B there is a big abundance of metals in the environment, so that the majority of its inhabitants are slightly poisoned by heavy metals (think of mercury poisoning: it could also give an explanation of why the world B is a dystopic version of A).

            Planar travel is possible only if the person has "low content" of metals, otherwise he/she would simply slam against the glass; people of A have no problem, but people of B would simply contain too much of forbidden substances to cross the mirror.
            People of A, while in the universe B, would need to give big attention to what they eat, avoiding food that could contain metal, otherwise they couldn't come home. This would be a stimulus for the wizards of world A to improve the magic of the mirrors, reducing the limits that can prevent the travel, to the point that eventually even people of B will be able to cross the mirrors.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$





















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              Racism



              Humans in universe B have all existing portals to universe A.



              They refuse to travel to Universe A because they let all these subhuman species mingle together, also, they aren't terribly keen on letting their resident non-humans escape oppression via mass exodus through these mirrors, so the mirrors to Universe A are kept under close observation.



              Likewise, Universe A isn't too keen on being a destination for refugees from this backwater hell hole of a universe - all the humans are bigoted jerks, and if they started taking in the non-humans it'd get to be a serious immigration problem. Similarly, if any of their own people went over, their either weirdo human supremacists, or they were insane enough to travel to a world where their own kind is totally oppressed, so in general Universe A isn't terribly keen on letting anyone from Universe B pop on over.






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$





















                1












                $begingroup$

                They are missing a spacial dimension, such as in the tale of Flatland or Interstellar (2014 movie).



                Members of Universe A can interact with Universe B by ignoring their extra spacial dimension(s), but members of B cannot gain the dimensions that would allow them to enter or perhaps even properly perceive A.






                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$













                • $begingroup$
                  Note that this could be imperceptible. The extra dimensions might not be something the inhabitants of either universe are aware of, but are intrinsic and necessary to the process regardless. Imagine the difference between a circle in flatland vs a rod in flatland. Circle and Rod both have the same profile, but if you push Rod through flatland into another flatland behind it, they appear in both briefly before apparently being in the second one entirely. vs if you push Circle through their Flatland, they're adrift in the "void" between flatlands and may or may not arrive at their destination.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ruadhan
                  6 mins ago



















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                Explanation:



                The "magical lock" is actually placed on mirrors in Universe B by a secret order of humans tasked with preventing the other "savage" non-human races from traveling over to Universe A and obtaining technology that would be able to obliterate humans.



                Source of Magic:



                The source of magic in each universe is the combined wisdom and magical ability of all magic-wielding inhabitants. Universe A has many more highly adept magic users, owing to its relatively stable and functional society.



                The Lock:



                The strength of the lock is directly proportional to the magic abilities of the lock creator(s) and maintainer(s). In the case of Universe B, the human lock builders were very powerful and the secret order has maintained knowledge of and skill with magics that have been otherwise lost to the rest of the inhabitants. There has to this point never been an individual or group of magic users with enough ability to override a lock (many have tried). Killing one or more of the secret order diminishes the strength of the locks until/unless the order is replenished.



                Travel:



                Travelers from A->B maintain a magical connection back to the point of origin that allows them to return from any mirror in Universe B. In all but the rarest of cases, they do need to keep a talisman/device on their person that taps into the source of Universe A magic. The talisman temporarily unlocks (but does not destroy) any Universe B lock. The talisman itself is magic- and gene-locked, which means it cannot open a mirror portal without a willing, living magic user (i.e., no chopping off a hand or holding a gun to the talisman-holder's head).



                Resolutions:




                • A human from the secret order goes haywire and (magically or otherwise) forces the other members to release one or more locks.

                • A human from the secret order has a child with a non-human and over time, diplomacy prevails and the multiple species become allies. The locks are released.

                • A human from the secret order falls in love with a non-human and gives them a way to "overthrow" the humans.

                • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The child grows up with a connection to the source of magic in both universes. Whenever someone travels from A->B, the child is able to tap into the vast magic reserves of Universe A. Over time, they become the most powerful magic user in Universe B.

                • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The mother or father or both are killed at some point, leaving behind a talisman. The child's magic "profile" and genes match those of its parent from Universe A, allowing it to use the talisman.


                Anyway, variations on a theme. I hope something in here helps you.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                  1












                  $begingroup$

                  Universe B is quite literally the opposite version of Universe A. So much so, that everything in Universe B is in fact made of antimatter.



                  Antimatter is perfectly harmless with itself and behaves exactly like ordinary matter (other than the fact that they have positrons and antiprotons instead of electrons and protons). However, we all know that matter and antimatter don't mix: when such particles interact, they violently transform into pure energy.



                  So how can people from Universe A use the mirrors to explore Universe B? Well, the mirrors are more than mere portals between universes. A better analogy would be an airlock. Crossing the mirror from A to B applies a magical "antimatter shielding" to each individual particle, such that they behave exactly like antimatter particles.



                  When returning to Universe A, the shielding is stripped away and the ordinary matter behaves ordinarily once again.



                  Unfortunately, the mirrors were developed with this explicit "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" rule. Therefore, if anyone or anything from Universe B tries to cross into Universe A, the mirror won't be able to place "matter shielding" on them... to horrendous effect.



                  Now, you can choose how secure the mirrors are regarding Universe B objects.




                  • They can be dangerously unsecure, such that objects and people CAN cross, but there are just rules forbidding it for the simple reason that if anything were to cross, it'd be the equivalent of multiple nuclear bombs the moment they crossed.1 This would be the equivalent of the mirror going "oh, this object has no shielding to wax off, so ignore it".

                  • They can be secure, forbidding non-shielded (anti)matter from crossing back into Universe A. You can also choose how severe this security feature is:


                    • It may be harmless to those attempting to cross: the mirror momentarily shuts down as soon as the first non-shielded molecule attempts to cross1

                    • It may be harmful: the mirror allows the molecules to enter,2 but upon detecting that they are unshielded, destroys them. So if someone from Universe B puts their hand through the mirror, they'll no longer have a hand.

                    • It may be lethal: the mirror allows entire objects/people3 to enter before determining whether they are unshielded. If so, the entire object/person is destroyed.






                  Later on, this problem is somehow overcome, such that people from Universe B can cross over to Universe A.



                  As others have suggested, this may be by people from Universe B developing their own mirrors. This would imply that members of each universe must use different mirrors.



                  Another option is that someone figures out how to "hack" the original mirrors to allow passage. You can once again decide how easy or hard this is:




                  • They just had to change the mirror's behavior from "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" to "unshielded = wax on", "shielded = wax off". This implies that the antimatter shielding for ordinary matter can be trivially repurposed as ordinary-matter shielding for antimatter.

                  • They had to develop shielding suitable to make antimatter behave like ordinary matter, and then make the mirror's "code" more complex: "if A-matter, A $rightarrow$ B = wax on antimatter shielding, B $rightarrow$ A = wax off antimatter shielding; if B-matter, B $rightarrow$ A = wax on ordinary matter shielding, A $rightarrow$ B = wax off ordinary matter shielding".




                  1 (yes, this footnote appears twice above) Some magic handwaving will be needed to explain why random air molecules from Universe B aren't a problem (either generating massive heat on the Universe A side or causing the mirror to constantly shut down). Or just ignore this point.



                  2 Note the word here is "enter", not "cross". This implies that the mirror isn't a door, but a bridge between the two dimensions, such that objects actually don't go A $rightarrow$ B (or vice versa), but A $rightarrow$ mirror bridge $rightarrow$ B. The travel between both ends can be virtually instantaneous as far as anyone is concerned, but this bridge is the "safe zone" where the unauthorized unshielded antimatter can be safely destroyed before it can enter Universe A.



                  3 Some more magic handwaving (or authorial ignoring) will be needed to explain how the mirror identifies what constitutes an "entire object/person".






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$





















                    0












                    $begingroup$

                    Evolution of Conceptualization



                    That an item can be enchanted at all is a concept that requires people to evolve spiritually and mentally enough to enable the enchantment.



                    "A" people have spent countless generations becoming aware of this concept and gradually attained the ability at a societal level to easily enchant an item for travel to "B".



                    "B" people are in a younger universe and haven't yet evolved to that level of conceptualization needed to make the enchantment work for them... or at least they hadn't until plot progression event X occurred.



                    Perhaps event X was simply some "C" people that were tired of waiting for "A" people to next conceptualize travel to "C" and nudged things along. After all, all "C's" know that A + B tranposed by X = C.






                    share|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$





















                      0












                      $begingroup$

                      The great interdict



                      Years ago, a world traveler from universe B brought a plague to Universe A.
                      Smallpox, the black death or something more exotic.



                      It wiped out a large fraction of the population, including the family of some of the post powerful mages.



                      To ensure it never happened again, a great and powerful ritual was enacted to block worldwalkers from entering universe A.



                      The ritual has a keystone that can be destroyed or individuals can be keyed into it or it can be otherwise bypassed by someone who knows about it and has access to the keystone.






                      share|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$





















                        0












                        $begingroup$

                        Universe A might have a restrictive immigration policy



                        Universe A has had the magic mirrors for some time and has had several incidents of people coming from other universes already. For whatever reason, the government in Universe A has decided that it would like to heavily regulate or restrict immigration or tourism from other universes.



                        There are many potential reasons why any given polity would adopt a restrictive immigration policy. In no particular order:




                        1. Economic reasons (they're worried that they can't support more people / that them foreigners will took their jerbs!)


                        2. Public health concerns (does Universe B have diseases that nobody in Universe A has immunity to or expertise curing?)


                        3. Racism


                        4. Concerns about assimilation or culture (e.g. will people from Universe B speak the language and be able to find work?)



                        Alternatively, Universe B could have a restrictive emigration policy



                        Universe B's city sounds pretty awful, like it's run by a totalitarian regime of sorts. Totalitarian regimes often ban emigration to keep people from living somewhere better. Maybe they have a policy that prevents people from leaving their universe? Maybe the mirrors are totally illegal their and ownership of one is punishable by death or something horrific.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$





















                          0












                          $begingroup$

                          Balance between worlds



                          Balance is a common theme in fantasy writing. People expect it. The swing of the scales between good and evil, physical strength vs magical power, etc. Of course mirrors have to be powerful artifacts to counter this. Powerful enough that only the people in A have really mastered it.



                          One enters, one leaves



                          Mirrors can allow the balance to shift temporarily. When someone (or more specifically, up to X people, depending on the power of the mirror) portals A->B, it can't be used again until it portals X people back B->A.



                          The plot thickens



                          This means people have to be careful with mirrors. If you portal from A, the last thing you want is for people to know you're from A. You want to get in, do what you've got to do, and get out. B is a dangerous place, and the last thing you want is to be murdered for your mirror.



                          So this means it's not illegal or impossible for people to portal B->A, just hard and plot-dependent. Choose your own adventure from here :)





                          share









                          $endgroup$













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                            16 Answers
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                            27












                            $begingroup$

                            Universe B does not (yet) have magic mirrors.



                            Universe A magic mirrors do not connect with a corresponding Universe B magic mirror. Sort of like In Mary Poppins, Bert's sidewalk chalk painting does not connect with a sidewalk chalk painting at the destination - Bert, Mary and the kids enter the chalk painting and emerge in the countryside of the alternate dimension. The cartoon residents of that dimension cannot come into our dimension the same way. Your mirrors connect similarly - some way such that people come thru and go back the way they came, but not vice versa. B people cannot use this route to leave B.



                            In Mary Poppins they were pulled back to their own world when the chalk painting was destroyed by rain. Maybe something has to happen to the mirror in A to pull the travelers back through - like the lights go out. It would be a good story way to ensure you were not trapped - your magic mirror is set in the garden, and you have until sundown. Unless there are artificial lights...



                            -



                            Later in your story the Universe B people, realizing that magic mirrors are possible, eventually make their own. They too are one way and they are more Universe B; different, possibly sinister.






                            share|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$


















                              27












                              $begingroup$

                              Universe B does not (yet) have magic mirrors.



                              Universe A magic mirrors do not connect with a corresponding Universe B magic mirror. Sort of like In Mary Poppins, Bert's sidewalk chalk painting does not connect with a sidewalk chalk painting at the destination - Bert, Mary and the kids enter the chalk painting and emerge in the countryside of the alternate dimension. The cartoon residents of that dimension cannot come into our dimension the same way. Your mirrors connect similarly - some way such that people come thru and go back the way they came, but not vice versa. B people cannot use this route to leave B.



                              In Mary Poppins they were pulled back to their own world when the chalk painting was destroyed by rain. Maybe something has to happen to the mirror in A to pull the travelers back through - like the lights go out. It would be a good story way to ensure you were not trapped - your magic mirror is set in the garden, and you have until sundown. Unless there are artificial lights...



                              -



                              Later in your story the Universe B people, realizing that magic mirrors are possible, eventually make their own. They too are one way and they are more Universe B; different, possibly sinister.






                              share|improve this answer









                              $endgroup$
















                                27












                                27








                                27





                                $begingroup$

                                Universe B does not (yet) have magic mirrors.



                                Universe A magic mirrors do not connect with a corresponding Universe B magic mirror. Sort of like In Mary Poppins, Bert's sidewalk chalk painting does not connect with a sidewalk chalk painting at the destination - Bert, Mary and the kids enter the chalk painting and emerge in the countryside of the alternate dimension. The cartoon residents of that dimension cannot come into our dimension the same way. Your mirrors connect similarly - some way such that people come thru and go back the way they came, but not vice versa. B people cannot use this route to leave B.



                                In Mary Poppins they were pulled back to their own world when the chalk painting was destroyed by rain. Maybe something has to happen to the mirror in A to pull the travelers back through - like the lights go out. It would be a good story way to ensure you were not trapped - your magic mirror is set in the garden, and you have until sundown. Unless there are artificial lights...



                                -



                                Later in your story the Universe B people, realizing that magic mirrors are possible, eventually make their own. They too are one way and they are more Universe B; different, possibly sinister.






                                share|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$



                                Universe B does not (yet) have magic mirrors.



                                Universe A magic mirrors do not connect with a corresponding Universe B magic mirror. Sort of like In Mary Poppins, Bert's sidewalk chalk painting does not connect with a sidewalk chalk painting at the destination - Bert, Mary and the kids enter the chalk painting and emerge in the countryside of the alternate dimension. The cartoon residents of that dimension cannot come into our dimension the same way. Your mirrors connect similarly - some way such that people come thru and go back the way they came, but not vice versa. B people cannot use this route to leave B.



                                In Mary Poppins they were pulled back to their own world when the chalk painting was destroyed by rain. Maybe something has to happen to the mirror in A to pull the travelers back through - like the lights go out. It would be a good story way to ensure you were not trapped - your magic mirror is set in the garden, and you have until sundown. Unless there are artificial lights...



                                -



                                Later in your story the Universe B people, realizing that magic mirrors are possible, eventually make their own. They too are one way and they are more Universe B; different, possibly sinister.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered 19 hours ago









                                WillkWillk

                                111k26207461




                                111k26207461























                                    10












                                    $begingroup$

                                    Because everyone knows they would die



                                    In Universe A these mirrors are well known and studied by some very smart people. Even though the average Joe cannot easily obtain a mirror, it is well known to the average UA resident that if you try to bring anything living from Universe B back into UA it will die. Everyone knows this in UA, it's a simple fact that everyone has heard. I mean have you ever met anyone on the street not from this universe?



                                    If anyone from UB asks to come with the characters back to UB, the character from UA will have to tell them that unfortunately it just is isn't possible. As everyone in UA knows, a UB'er will not survive the trip into UA. You can even add horrible details of how painful they heard the death was.



                                    But....



                                    Through a series of events someone from UB either decides to risk it, accidentally falls into the mirror, or is faced with a dire situation anyways, so hey why not. Much to their surprise they open their eyes to UA, and conveniently for them they are still breathing.



                                    Turns out those smart people had a reason to misinform people, and due to the rarity of the mirrors, and the high cost of proving them wrong those smart people were successful.






                                    share|improve this answer









                                    $endgroup$









                                    • 3




                                      $begingroup$
                                      "Hey, we've run out of lethal injections for all these mass murdering psychopaths!" "Eh, no problem - just chuck 'em through a mirror portal" "... Whoops!"
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Chronocidal
                                      17 hours ago






                                    • 1




                                      $begingroup$
                                      @Chronocidal that flaw is left in intentionally, I am assuming the mirrors are rare enough that this unlikely, and in theory no-one in UB owns a mirror. Plus there are better things like volcanoes, middle of the ocean, vat a piranhas, etc that could be used.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – TheJahh
                                      17 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      This idea is similar to Star Trek's Holodeck - real people can come and go into the holodeck freely but holograms attempting to leave the holodeck are discorporated.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – G0BLiN
                                      4 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      seems too easy to test with a goldfish.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Murphy
                                      2 hours ago
















                                    10












                                    $begingroup$

                                    Because everyone knows they would die



                                    In Universe A these mirrors are well known and studied by some very smart people. Even though the average Joe cannot easily obtain a mirror, it is well known to the average UA resident that if you try to bring anything living from Universe B back into UA it will die. Everyone knows this in UA, it's a simple fact that everyone has heard. I mean have you ever met anyone on the street not from this universe?



                                    If anyone from UB asks to come with the characters back to UB, the character from UA will have to tell them that unfortunately it just is isn't possible. As everyone in UA knows, a UB'er will not survive the trip into UA. You can even add horrible details of how painful they heard the death was.



                                    But....



                                    Through a series of events someone from UB either decides to risk it, accidentally falls into the mirror, or is faced with a dire situation anyways, so hey why not. Much to their surprise they open their eyes to UA, and conveniently for them they are still breathing.



                                    Turns out those smart people had a reason to misinform people, and due to the rarity of the mirrors, and the high cost of proving them wrong those smart people were successful.






                                    share|improve this answer









                                    $endgroup$









                                    • 3




                                      $begingroup$
                                      "Hey, we've run out of lethal injections for all these mass murdering psychopaths!" "Eh, no problem - just chuck 'em through a mirror portal" "... Whoops!"
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Chronocidal
                                      17 hours ago






                                    • 1




                                      $begingroup$
                                      @Chronocidal that flaw is left in intentionally, I am assuming the mirrors are rare enough that this unlikely, and in theory no-one in UB owns a mirror. Plus there are better things like volcanoes, middle of the ocean, vat a piranhas, etc that could be used.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – TheJahh
                                      17 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      This idea is similar to Star Trek's Holodeck - real people can come and go into the holodeck freely but holograms attempting to leave the holodeck are discorporated.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – G0BLiN
                                      4 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      seems too easy to test with a goldfish.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Murphy
                                      2 hours ago














                                    10












                                    10








                                    10





                                    $begingroup$

                                    Because everyone knows they would die



                                    In Universe A these mirrors are well known and studied by some very smart people. Even though the average Joe cannot easily obtain a mirror, it is well known to the average UA resident that if you try to bring anything living from Universe B back into UA it will die. Everyone knows this in UA, it's a simple fact that everyone has heard. I mean have you ever met anyone on the street not from this universe?



                                    If anyone from UB asks to come with the characters back to UB, the character from UA will have to tell them that unfortunately it just is isn't possible. As everyone in UA knows, a UB'er will not survive the trip into UA. You can even add horrible details of how painful they heard the death was.



                                    But....



                                    Through a series of events someone from UB either decides to risk it, accidentally falls into the mirror, or is faced with a dire situation anyways, so hey why not. Much to their surprise they open their eyes to UA, and conveniently for them they are still breathing.



                                    Turns out those smart people had a reason to misinform people, and due to the rarity of the mirrors, and the high cost of proving them wrong those smart people were successful.






                                    share|improve this answer









                                    $endgroup$



                                    Because everyone knows they would die



                                    In Universe A these mirrors are well known and studied by some very smart people. Even though the average Joe cannot easily obtain a mirror, it is well known to the average UA resident that if you try to bring anything living from Universe B back into UA it will die. Everyone knows this in UA, it's a simple fact that everyone has heard. I mean have you ever met anyone on the street not from this universe?



                                    If anyone from UB asks to come with the characters back to UB, the character from UA will have to tell them that unfortunately it just is isn't possible. As everyone in UA knows, a UB'er will not survive the trip into UA. You can even add horrible details of how painful they heard the death was.



                                    But....



                                    Through a series of events someone from UB either decides to risk it, accidentally falls into the mirror, or is faced with a dire situation anyways, so hey why not. Much to their surprise they open their eyes to UA, and conveniently for them they are still breathing.



                                    Turns out those smart people had a reason to misinform people, and due to the rarity of the mirrors, and the high cost of proving them wrong those smart people were successful.







                                    share|improve this answer












                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer










                                    answered 18 hours ago









                                    TheJahhTheJahh

                                    94625




                                    94625








                                    • 3




                                      $begingroup$
                                      "Hey, we've run out of lethal injections for all these mass murdering psychopaths!" "Eh, no problem - just chuck 'em through a mirror portal" "... Whoops!"
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Chronocidal
                                      17 hours ago






                                    • 1




                                      $begingroup$
                                      @Chronocidal that flaw is left in intentionally, I am assuming the mirrors are rare enough that this unlikely, and in theory no-one in UB owns a mirror. Plus there are better things like volcanoes, middle of the ocean, vat a piranhas, etc that could be used.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – TheJahh
                                      17 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      This idea is similar to Star Trek's Holodeck - real people can come and go into the holodeck freely but holograms attempting to leave the holodeck are discorporated.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – G0BLiN
                                      4 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      seems too easy to test with a goldfish.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Murphy
                                      2 hours ago














                                    • 3




                                      $begingroup$
                                      "Hey, we've run out of lethal injections for all these mass murdering psychopaths!" "Eh, no problem - just chuck 'em through a mirror portal" "... Whoops!"
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Chronocidal
                                      17 hours ago






                                    • 1




                                      $begingroup$
                                      @Chronocidal that flaw is left in intentionally, I am assuming the mirrors are rare enough that this unlikely, and in theory no-one in UB owns a mirror. Plus there are better things like volcanoes, middle of the ocean, vat a piranhas, etc that could be used.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – TheJahh
                                      17 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      This idea is similar to Star Trek's Holodeck - real people can come and go into the holodeck freely but holograms attempting to leave the holodeck are discorporated.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – G0BLiN
                                      4 hours ago










                                    • $begingroup$
                                      seems too easy to test with a goldfish.
                                      $endgroup$
                                      – Murphy
                                      2 hours ago








                                    3




                                    3




                                    $begingroup$
                                    "Hey, we've run out of lethal injections for all these mass murdering psychopaths!" "Eh, no problem - just chuck 'em through a mirror portal" "... Whoops!"
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – Chronocidal
                                    17 hours ago




                                    $begingroup$
                                    "Hey, we've run out of lethal injections for all these mass murdering psychopaths!" "Eh, no problem - just chuck 'em through a mirror portal" "... Whoops!"
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – Chronocidal
                                    17 hours ago




                                    1




                                    1




                                    $begingroup$
                                    @Chronocidal that flaw is left in intentionally, I am assuming the mirrors are rare enough that this unlikely, and in theory no-one in UB owns a mirror. Plus there are better things like volcanoes, middle of the ocean, vat a piranhas, etc that could be used.
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – TheJahh
                                    17 hours ago




                                    $begingroup$
                                    @Chronocidal that flaw is left in intentionally, I am assuming the mirrors are rare enough that this unlikely, and in theory no-one in UB owns a mirror. Plus there are better things like volcanoes, middle of the ocean, vat a piranhas, etc that could be used.
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – TheJahh
                                    17 hours ago












                                    $begingroup$
                                    This idea is similar to Star Trek's Holodeck - real people can come and go into the holodeck freely but holograms attempting to leave the holodeck are discorporated.
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – G0BLiN
                                    4 hours ago




                                    $begingroup$
                                    This idea is similar to Star Trek's Holodeck - real people can come and go into the holodeck freely but holograms attempting to leave the holodeck are discorporated.
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – G0BLiN
                                    4 hours ago












                                    $begingroup$
                                    seems too easy to test with a goldfish.
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – Murphy
                                    2 hours ago




                                    $begingroup$
                                    seems too easy to test with a goldfish.
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – Murphy
                                    2 hours ago











                                    7












                                    $begingroup$

                                    The level of ambient magic in Universe B could simply not be high enough for its natives to pass through a portal. Natives of Universe A are not creating a connection when traveling back to Universe A, but are just dropping their current connection.



                                    Perhaps the existance of the portals is actually bleeding magic from Universe A into Universe B, and eventually, the ambient magic of Universe B will rise high enough to allow B-to-A travel.






                                    share|improve this answer











                                    $endgroup$


















                                      7












                                      $begingroup$

                                      The level of ambient magic in Universe B could simply not be high enough for its natives to pass through a portal. Natives of Universe A are not creating a connection when traveling back to Universe A, but are just dropping their current connection.



                                      Perhaps the existance of the portals is actually bleeding magic from Universe A into Universe B, and eventually, the ambient magic of Universe B will rise high enough to allow B-to-A travel.






                                      share|improve this answer











                                      $endgroup$
















                                        7












                                        7








                                        7





                                        $begingroup$

                                        The level of ambient magic in Universe B could simply not be high enough for its natives to pass through a portal. Natives of Universe A are not creating a connection when traveling back to Universe A, but are just dropping their current connection.



                                        Perhaps the existance of the portals is actually bleeding magic from Universe A into Universe B, and eventually, the ambient magic of Universe B will rise high enough to allow B-to-A travel.






                                        share|improve this answer











                                        $endgroup$



                                        The level of ambient magic in Universe B could simply not be high enough for its natives to pass through a portal. Natives of Universe A are not creating a connection when traveling back to Universe A, but are just dropping their current connection.



                                        Perhaps the existance of the portals is actually bleeding magic from Universe A into Universe B, and eventually, the ambient magic of Universe B will rise high enough to allow B-to-A travel.







                                        share|improve this answer














                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer








                                        edited 14 hours ago

























                                        answered 15 hours ago









                                        Michael RichardsonMichael Richardson

                                        7,4041434




                                        7,4041434























                                            6












                                            $begingroup$

                                            Disease.



                                            Before travelling from Universe A to Universe B, you have to get a set of vaccines to prevent you from contracting common Universe B illnesses. If you do show signs of contagion, there are procedures in place for returning to the Universe A medical center and getting treatment in quarantine. All Universe A citizens are well informed that allowing a Universe B resident to travel into Universe A has the potential to trigger a plague that could kill off millions of people.



                                            Later, you could have someone "find a cure" for the disease (or determine Universe A residents couldn't contract it in the first place), retracting the travel ban. Or you could determine that it's only actually contagious if you show certain signs within the last three weeks, or a Universe B resident stole a mirror and released the plague already, sending all Universe A citizens running to the doctor for a vaccine they wouldn't normally bother to get. At this point, why bother closing the barn door after the cows have gotten out?






                                            share|improve this answer









                                            $endgroup$













                                            • $begingroup$
                                              You can combine this with Universe A having developed (based on previous encounters and risk analysis) a strictly enforced standard quarantine procedure for any incoming native organisms from Universe B that prescribes incineration. No questions asked, if stuff came in and the magical detector says it's not "ours", cleanse it with dragonfire until there's not a single living cell remaining. Assuming there's a way to "catch" incoming connections (by magic - so there's the asymmetry, Universe B can't do the same thing), that policy would provide a restriction but may be circumvented in story.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Peteris
                                              17 hours ago






                                            • 1




                                              $begingroup$
                                              TLDR version: Universe B is the antivaxxer universe.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – bta
                                              14 hours ago










                                            • $begingroup$
                                              Related reading: D.O.D.O. A story heavily featuring time/space travel using magic, notably including mention that the arrival of one early visitor from the future outright killed most of a village due to disease before they instituted a program of antibiotics and decontamination showers prior to travel.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Ruadhan
                                              13 mins ago
















                                            6












                                            $begingroup$

                                            Disease.



                                            Before travelling from Universe A to Universe B, you have to get a set of vaccines to prevent you from contracting common Universe B illnesses. If you do show signs of contagion, there are procedures in place for returning to the Universe A medical center and getting treatment in quarantine. All Universe A citizens are well informed that allowing a Universe B resident to travel into Universe A has the potential to trigger a plague that could kill off millions of people.



                                            Later, you could have someone "find a cure" for the disease (or determine Universe A residents couldn't contract it in the first place), retracting the travel ban. Or you could determine that it's only actually contagious if you show certain signs within the last three weeks, or a Universe B resident stole a mirror and released the plague already, sending all Universe A citizens running to the doctor for a vaccine they wouldn't normally bother to get. At this point, why bother closing the barn door after the cows have gotten out?






                                            share|improve this answer









                                            $endgroup$













                                            • $begingroup$
                                              You can combine this with Universe A having developed (based on previous encounters and risk analysis) a strictly enforced standard quarantine procedure for any incoming native organisms from Universe B that prescribes incineration. No questions asked, if stuff came in and the magical detector says it's not "ours", cleanse it with dragonfire until there's not a single living cell remaining. Assuming there's a way to "catch" incoming connections (by magic - so there's the asymmetry, Universe B can't do the same thing), that policy would provide a restriction but may be circumvented in story.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Peteris
                                              17 hours ago






                                            • 1




                                              $begingroup$
                                              TLDR version: Universe B is the antivaxxer universe.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – bta
                                              14 hours ago










                                            • $begingroup$
                                              Related reading: D.O.D.O. A story heavily featuring time/space travel using magic, notably including mention that the arrival of one early visitor from the future outright killed most of a village due to disease before they instituted a program of antibiotics and decontamination showers prior to travel.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Ruadhan
                                              13 mins ago














                                            6












                                            6








                                            6





                                            $begingroup$

                                            Disease.



                                            Before travelling from Universe A to Universe B, you have to get a set of vaccines to prevent you from contracting common Universe B illnesses. If you do show signs of contagion, there are procedures in place for returning to the Universe A medical center and getting treatment in quarantine. All Universe A citizens are well informed that allowing a Universe B resident to travel into Universe A has the potential to trigger a plague that could kill off millions of people.



                                            Later, you could have someone "find a cure" for the disease (or determine Universe A residents couldn't contract it in the first place), retracting the travel ban. Or you could determine that it's only actually contagious if you show certain signs within the last three weeks, or a Universe B resident stole a mirror and released the plague already, sending all Universe A citizens running to the doctor for a vaccine they wouldn't normally bother to get. At this point, why bother closing the barn door after the cows have gotten out?






                                            share|improve this answer









                                            $endgroup$



                                            Disease.



                                            Before travelling from Universe A to Universe B, you have to get a set of vaccines to prevent you from contracting common Universe B illnesses. If you do show signs of contagion, there are procedures in place for returning to the Universe A medical center and getting treatment in quarantine. All Universe A citizens are well informed that allowing a Universe B resident to travel into Universe A has the potential to trigger a plague that could kill off millions of people.



                                            Later, you could have someone "find a cure" for the disease (or determine Universe A residents couldn't contract it in the first place), retracting the travel ban. Or you could determine that it's only actually contagious if you show certain signs within the last three weeks, or a Universe B resident stole a mirror and released the plague already, sending all Universe A citizens running to the doctor for a vaccine they wouldn't normally bother to get. At this point, why bother closing the barn door after the cows have gotten out?







                                            share|improve this answer












                                            share|improve this answer



                                            share|improve this answer










                                            answered 17 hours ago









                                            ChelseaChelsea

                                            1,32636




                                            1,32636












                                            • $begingroup$
                                              You can combine this with Universe A having developed (based on previous encounters and risk analysis) a strictly enforced standard quarantine procedure for any incoming native organisms from Universe B that prescribes incineration. No questions asked, if stuff came in and the magical detector says it's not "ours", cleanse it with dragonfire until there's not a single living cell remaining. Assuming there's a way to "catch" incoming connections (by magic - so there's the asymmetry, Universe B can't do the same thing), that policy would provide a restriction but may be circumvented in story.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Peteris
                                              17 hours ago






                                            • 1




                                              $begingroup$
                                              TLDR version: Universe B is the antivaxxer universe.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – bta
                                              14 hours ago










                                            • $begingroup$
                                              Related reading: D.O.D.O. A story heavily featuring time/space travel using magic, notably including mention that the arrival of one early visitor from the future outright killed most of a village due to disease before they instituted a program of antibiotics and decontamination showers prior to travel.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Ruadhan
                                              13 mins ago


















                                            • $begingroup$
                                              You can combine this with Universe A having developed (based on previous encounters and risk analysis) a strictly enforced standard quarantine procedure for any incoming native organisms from Universe B that prescribes incineration. No questions asked, if stuff came in and the magical detector says it's not "ours", cleanse it with dragonfire until there's not a single living cell remaining. Assuming there's a way to "catch" incoming connections (by magic - so there's the asymmetry, Universe B can't do the same thing), that policy would provide a restriction but may be circumvented in story.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Peteris
                                              17 hours ago






                                            • 1




                                              $begingroup$
                                              TLDR version: Universe B is the antivaxxer universe.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – bta
                                              14 hours ago










                                            • $begingroup$
                                              Related reading: D.O.D.O. A story heavily featuring time/space travel using magic, notably including mention that the arrival of one early visitor from the future outright killed most of a village due to disease before they instituted a program of antibiotics and decontamination showers prior to travel.
                                              $endgroup$
                                              – Ruadhan
                                              13 mins ago
















                                            $begingroup$
                                            You can combine this with Universe A having developed (based on previous encounters and risk analysis) a strictly enforced standard quarantine procedure for any incoming native organisms from Universe B that prescribes incineration. No questions asked, if stuff came in and the magical detector says it's not "ours", cleanse it with dragonfire until there's not a single living cell remaining. Assuming there's a way to "catch" incoming connections (by magic - so there's the asymmetry, Universe B can't do the same thing), that policy would provide a restriction but may be circumvented in story.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Peteris
                                            17 hours ago




                                            $begingroup$
                                            You can combine this with Universe A having developed (based on previous encounters and risk analysis) a strictly enforced standard quarantine procedure for any incoming native organisms from Universe B that prescribes incineration. No questions asked, if stuff came in and the magical detector says it's not "ours", cleanse it with dragonfire until there's not a single living cell remaining. Assuming there's a way to "catch" incoming connections (by magic - so there's the asymmetry, Universe B can't do the same thing), that policy would provide a restriction but may be circumvented in story.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Peteris
                                            17 hours ago




                                            1




                                            1




                                            $begingroup$
                                            TLDR version: Universe B is the antivaxxer universe.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – bta
                                            14 hours ago




                                            $begingroup$
                                            TLDR version: Universe B is the antivaxxer universe.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – bta
                                            14 hours ago












                                            $begingroup$
                                            Related reading: D.O.D.O. A story heavily featuring time/space travel using magic, notably including mention that the arrival of one early visitor from the future outright killed most of a village due to disease before they instituted a program of antibiotics and decontamination showers prior to travel.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Ruadhan
                                            13 mins ago




                                            $begingroup$
                                            Related reading: D.O.D.O. A story heavily featuring time/space travel using magic, notably including mention that the arrival of one early visitor from the future outright killed most of a village due to disease before they instituted a program of antibiotics and decontamination showers prior to travel.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Ruadhan
                                            13 mins ago











                                            3












                                            $begingroup$

                                            Mirrors are linked to their travelers



                                            Any one can safely travel through a Mirror from World A (I'll refer to all worlds merely by letter from now on) to B, and thence, back through that mirror return to A. However, Travelling through a Mirror from B will send the traveler to C. Unfortunately C is desolate, inhospitable and unpopulated. Normally anyone who travels there perishes since there are no mirrors to return to B through. Since no one ever comes back from B everyone just assumes it's lethal to travel by mirror originating from B. Eventually someone does bring a mirror through from B to C after which it's discovered that mirror travel from C to A is possible, and travelers from B can return from C to B through the one mirror that was brought there.






                                            share|improve this answer









                                            $endgroup$


















                                              3












                                              $begingroup$

                                              Mirrors are linked to their travelers



                                              Any one can safely travel through a Mirror from World A (I'll refer to all worlds merely by letter from now on) to B, and thence, back through that mirror return to A. However, Travelling through a Mirror from B will send the traveler to C. Unfortunately C is desolate, inhospitable and unpopulated. Normally anyone who travels there perishes since there are no mirrors to return to B through. Since no one ever comes back from B everyone just assumes it's lethal to travel by mirror originating from B. Eventually someone does bring a mirror through from B to C after which it's discovered that mirror travel from C to A is possible, and travelers from B can return from C to B through the one mirror that was brought there.






                                              share|improve this answer









                                              $endgroup$
















                                                3












                                                3








                                                3





                                                $begingroup$

                                                Mirrors are linked to their travelers



                                                Any one can safely travel through a Mirror from World A (I'll refer to all worlds merely by letter from now on) to B, and thence, back through that mirror return to A. However, Travelling through a Mirror from B will send the traveler to C. Unfortunately C is desolate, inhospitable and unpopulated. Normally anyone who travels there perishes since there are no mirrors to return to B through. Since no one ever comes back from B everyone just assumes it's lethal to travel by mirror originating from B. Eventually someone does bring a mirror through from B to C after which it's discovered that mirror travel from C to A is possible, and travelers from B can return from C to B through the one mirror that was brought there.






                                                share|improve this answer









                                                $endgroup$



                                                Mirrors are linked to their travelers



                                                Any one can safely travel through a Mirror from World A (I'll refer to all worlds merely by letter from now on) to B, and thence, back through that mirror return to A. However, Travelling through a Mirror from B will send the traveler to C. Unfortunately C is desolate, inhospitable and unpopulated. Normally anyone who travels there perishes since there are no mirrors to return to B through. Since no one ever comes back from B everyone just assumes it's lethal to travel by mirror originating from B. Eventually someone does bring a mirror through from B to C after which it's discovered that mirror travel from C to A is possible, and travelers from B can return from C to B through the one mirror that was brought there.







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered 16 hours ago









                                                aslumaslum

                                                4,8971326




                                                4,8971326























                                                    2












                                                    $begingroup$

                                                    The Evil One



                                                    Once, long ago, a great evil arose in Universe A. After a Great War, in which many heroic deeds were done and many horrible things happened, the mages of Universe A united in one last, desperate attempt to defeat The Evil One (whose name shall not be mentioned). They were unable to kill this being, but managed to imprison him in his home realm, Universe B. This prison is secured with seven great seals, kept hidden lest they be discovered and destroyed, freeing The Evil One to wreak havoc upon Universe A once more.



                                                    Now, millenia later, the Great War is but a distant memory, and few people actually believe it happened, or that there ever was an Evil One. Dramatic progress has been made into dimensional travel, but the strange fact that only one-way travel to Universe B is not entirely understood. Experts suspect that it is caused by a magical shield, which is anchored somehow by physical objects, but they are not entirely sure how or why it was created. To solve this dilemma and to allow free passage and trade with the disadvantaged people of Universe B, they find an unlikely hero and his ragtag band of misfits, and task them with a great quest: to find a way to unite the peoples of Universe A and Universe B in harmony and great justice.



                                                    Meanwhile, a Great Evil broods and watches, yearning to once more spread his malign influence over the delicious feast once denied him...






                                                    share|improve this answer









                                                    $endgroup$


















                                                      2












                                                      $begingroup$

                                                      The Evil One



                                                      Once, long ago, a great evil arose in Universe A. After a Great War, in which many heroic deeds were done and many horrible things happened, the mages of Universe A united in one last, desperate attempt to defeat The Evil One (whose name shall not be mentioned). They were unable to kill this being, but managed to imprison him in his home realm, Universe B. This prison is secured with seven great seals, kept hidden lest they be discovered and destroyed, freeing The Evil One to wreak havoc upon Universe A once more.



                                                      Now, millenia later, the Great War is but a distant memory, and few people actually believe it happened, or that there ever was an Evil One. Dramatic progress has been made into dimensional travel, but the strange fact that only one-way travel to Universe B is not entirely understood. Experts suspect that it is caused by a magical shield, which is anchored somehow by physical objects, but they are not entirely sure how or why it was created. To solve this dilemma and to allow free passage and trade with the disadvantaged people of Universe B, they find an unlikely hero and his ragtag band of misfits, and task them with a great quest: to find a way to unite the peoples of Universe A and Universe B in harmony and great justice.



                                                      Meanwhile, a Great Evil broods and watches, yearning to once more spread his malign influence over the delicious feast once denied him...






                                                      share|improve this answer









                                                      $endgroup$
















                                                        2












                                                        2








                                                        2





                                                        $begingroup$

                                                        The Evil One



                                                        Once, long ago, a great evil arose in Universe A. After a Great War, in which many heroic deeds were done and many horrible things happened, the mages of Universe A united in one last, desperate attempt to defeat The Evil One (whose name shall not be mentioned). They were unable to kill this being, but managed to imprison him in his home realm, Universe B. This prison is secured with seven great seals, kept hidden lest they be discovered and destroyed, freeing The Evil One to wreak havoc upon Universe A once more.



                                                        Now, millenia later, the Great War is but a distant memory, and few people actually believe it happened, or that there ever was an Evil One. Dramatic progress has been made into dimensional travel, but the strange fact that only one-way travel to Universe B is not entirely understood. Experts suspect that it is caused by a magical shield, which is anchored somehow by physical objects, but they are not entirely sure how or why it was created. To solve this dilemma and to allow free passage and trade with the disadvantaged people of Universe B, they find an unlikely hero and his ragtag band of misfits, and task them with a great quest: to find a way to unite the peoples of Universe A and Universe B in harmony and great justice.



                                                        Meanwhile, a Great Evil broods and watches, yearning to once more spread his malign influence over the delicious feast once denied him...






                                                        share|improve this answer









                                                        $endgroup$



                                                        The Evil One



                                                        Once, long ago, a great evil arose in Universe A. After a Great War, in which many heroic deeds were done and many horrible things happened, the mages of Universe A united in one last, desperate attempt to defeat The Evil One (whose name shall not be mentioned). They were unable to kill this being, but managed to imprison him in his home realm, Universe B. This prison is secured with seven great seals, kept hidden lest they be discovered and destroyed, freeing The Evil One to wreak havoc upon Universe A once more.



                                                        Now, millenia later, the Great War is but a distant memory, and few people actually believe it happened, or that there ever was an Evil One. Dramatic progress has been made into dimensional travel, but the strange fact that only one-way travel to Universe B is not entirely understood. Experts suspect that it is caused by a magical shield, which is anchored somehow by physical objects, but they are not entirely sure how or why it was created. To solve this dilemma and to allow free passage and trade with the disadvantaged people of Universe B, they find an unlikely hero and his ragtag band of misfits, and task them with a great quest: to find a way to unite the peoples of Universe A and Universe B in harmony and great justice.



                                                        Meanwhile, a Great Evil broods and watches, yearning to once more spread his malign influence over the delicious feast once denied him...







                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                        answered 17 hours ago









                                                        Adam MillerAdam Miller

                                                        1,632716




                                                        1,632716























                                                            2












                                                            $begingroup$

                                                            One such possibility is that the laws of physics are different between the universes, and universe B biology is incompatible with universe A physics.



                                                            For example, suppose that Universe A does not have quantum tunnelling. Thus, the lifeforms there don't need it. If they travel to Universe B, they are largely unaffected. However, The lifeforms in Universe B depend on quantum tunneling. If they were to travel over, they would die, or face medical problems, as you decide.



                                                            This gets somewhat easier to justify if magic is involved. There could be incompatible magics, much like incompatible blood types.






                                                            share|improve this answer









                                                            $endgroup$


















                                                              2












                                                              $begingroup$

                                                              One such possibility is that the laws of physics are different between the universes, and universe B biology is incompatible with universe A physics.



                                                              For example, suppose that Universe A does not have quantum tunnelling. Thus, the lifeforms there don't need it. If they travel to Universe B, they are largely unaffected. However, The lifeforms in Universe B depend on quantum tunneling. If they were to travel over, they would die, or face medical problems, as you decide.



                                                              This gets somewhat easier to justify if magic is involved. There could be incompatible magics, much like incompatible blood types.






                                                              share|improve this answer









                                                              $endgroup$
















                                                                2












                                                                2








                                                                2





                                                                $begingroup$

                                                                One such possibility is that the laws of physics are different between the universes, and universe B biology is incompatible with universe A physics.



                                                                For example, suppose that Universe A does not have quantum tunnelling. Thus, the lifeforms there don't need it. If they travel to Universe B, they are largely unaffected. However, The lifeforms in Universe B depend on quantum tunneling. If they were to travel over, they would die, or face medical problems, as you decide.



                                                                This gets somewhat easier to justify if magic is involved. There could be incompatible magics, much like incompatible blood types.






                                                                share|improve this answer









                                                                $endgroup$



                                                                One such possibility is that the laws of physics are different between the universes, and universe B biology is incompatible with universe A physics.



                                                                For example, suppose that Universe A does not have quantum tunnelling. Thus, the lifeforms there don't need it. If they travel to Universe B, they are largely unaffected. However, The lifeforms in Universe B depend on quantum tunneling. If they were to travel over, they would die, or face medical problems, as you decide.



                                                                This gets somewhat easier to justify if magic is involved. There could be incompatible magics, much like incompatible blood types.







                                                                share|improve this answer












                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                share|improve this answer










                                                                answered 16 hours ago









                                                                BillThePlatypusBillThePlatypus

                                                                1015




                                                                1015























                                                                    2












                                                                    $begingroup$

                                                                    The planar travel is possible only if some particular restraints are met.



                                                                    Let's say that in the universe B there is a big abundance of metals in the environment, so that the majority of its inhabitants are slightly poisoned by heavy metals (think of mercury poisoning: it could also give an explanation of why the world B is a dystopic version of A).

                                                                    Planar travel is possible only if the person has "low content" of metals, otherwise he/she would simply slam against the glass; people of A have no problem, but people of B would simply contain too much of forbidden substances to cross the mirror.
                                                                    People of A, while in the universe B, would need to give big attention to what they eat, avoiding food that could contain metal, otherwise they couldn't come home. This would be a stimulus for the wizards of world A to improve the magic of the mirrors, reducing the limits that can prevent the travel, to the point that eventually even people of B will be able to cross the mirrors.






                                                                    share|improve this answer









                                                                    $endgroup$


















                                                                      2












                                                                      $begingroup$

                                                                      The planar travel is possible only if some particular restraints are met.



                                                                      Let's say that in the universe B there is a big abundance of metals in the environment, so that the majority of its inhabitants are slightly poisoned by heavy metals (think of mercury poisoning: it could also give an explanation of why the world B is a dystopic version of A).

                                                                      Planar travel is possible only if the person has "low content" of metals, otherwise he/she would simply slam against the glass; people of A have no problem, but people of B would simply contain too much of forbidden substances to cross the mirror.
                                                                      People of A, while in the universe B, would need to give big attention to what they eat, avoiding food that could contain metal, otherwise they couldn't come home. This would be a stimulus for the wizards of world A to improve the magic of the mirrors, reducing the limits that can prevent the travel, to the point that eventually even people of B will be able to cross the mirrors.






                                                                      share|improve this answer









                                                                      $endgroup$
















                                                                        2












                                                                        2








                                                                        2





                                                                        $begingroup$

                                                                        The planar travel is possible only if some particular restraints are met.



                                                                        Let's say that in the universe B there is a big abundance of metals in the environment, so that the majority of its inhabitants are slightly poisoned by heavy metals (think of mercury poisoning: it could also give an explanation of why the world B is a dystopic version of A).

                                                                        Planar travel is possible only if the person has "low content" of metals, otherwise he/she would simply slam against the glass; people of A have no problem, but people of B would simply contain too much of forbidden substances to cross the mirror.
                                                                        People of A, while in the universe B, would need to give big attention to what they eat, avoiding food that could contain metal, otherwise they couldn't come home. This would be a stimulus for the wizards of world A to improve the magic of the mirrors, reducing the limits that can prevent the travel, to the point that eventually even people of B will be able to cross the mirrors.






                                                                        share|improve this answer









                                                                        $endgroup$



                                                                        The planar travel is possible only if some particular restraints are met.



                                                                        Let's say that in the universe B there is a big abundance of metals in the environment, so that the majority of its inhabitants are slightly poisoned by heavy metals (think of mercury poisoning: it could also give an explanation of why the world B is a dystopic version of A).

                                                                        Planar travel is possible only if the person has "low content" of metals, otherwise he/she would simply slam against the glass; people of A have no problem, but people of B would simply contain too much of forbidden substances to cross the mirror.
                                                                        People of A, while in the universe B, would need to give big attention to what they eat, avoiding food that could contain metal, otherwise they couldn't come home. This would be a stimulus for the wizards of world A to improve the magic of the mirrors, reducing the limits that can prevent the travel, to the point that eventually even people of B will be able to cross the mirrors.







                                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                                        answered 16 hours ago









                                                                        McTroopersMcTroopers

                                                                        6655




                                                                        6655























                                                                            2












                                                                            $begingroup$

                                                                            Racism



                                                                            Humans in universe B have all existing portals to universe A.



                                                                            They refuse to travel to Universe A because they let all these subhuman species mingle together, also, they aren't terribly keen on letting their resident non-humans escape oppression via mass exodus through these mirrors, so the mirrors to Universe A are kept under close observation.



                                                                            Likewise, Universe A isn't too keen on being a destination for refugees from this backwater hell hole of a universe - all the humans are bigoted jerks, and if they started taking in the non-humans it'd get to be a serious immigration problem. Similarly, if any of their own people went over, their either weirdo human supremacists, or they were insane enough to travel to a world where their own kind is totally oppressed, so in general Universe A isn't terribly keen on letting anyone from Universe B pop on over.






                                                                            share|improve this answer









                                                                            $endgroup$


















                                                                              2












                                                                              $begingroup$

                                                                              Racism



                                                                              Humans in universe B have all existing portals to universe A.



                                                                              They refuse to travel to Universe A because they let all these subhuman species mingle together, also, they aren't terribly keen on letting their resident non-humans escape oppression via mass exodus through these mirrors, so the mirrors to Universe A are kept under close observation.



                                                                              Likewise, Universe A isn't too keen on being a destination for refugees from this backwater hell hole of a universe - all the humans are bigoted jerks, and if they started taking in the non-humans it'd get to be a serious immigration problem. Similarly, if any of their own people went over, their either weirdo human supremacists, or they were insane enough to travel to a world where their own kind is totally oppressed, so in general Universe A isn't terribly keen on letting anyone from Universe B pop on over.






                                                                              share|improve this answer









                                                                              $endgroup$
















                                                                                2












                                                                                2








                                                                                2





                                                                                $begingroup$

                                                                                Racism



                                                                                Humans in universe B have all existing portals to universe A.



                                                                                They refuse to travel to Universe A because they let all these subhuman species mingle together, also, they aren't terribly keen on letting their resident non-humans escape oppression via mass exodus through these mirrors, so the mirrors to Universe A are kept under close observation.



                                                                                Likewise, Universe A isn't too keen on being a destination for refugees from this backwater hell hole of a universe - all the humans are bigoted jerks, and if they started taking in the non-humans it'd get to be a serious immigration problem. Similarly, if any of their own people went over, their either weirdo human supremacists, or they were insane enough to travel to a world where their own kind is totally oppressed, so in general Universe A isn't terribly keen on letting anyone from Universe B pop on over.






                                                                                share|improve this answer









                                                                                $endgroup$



                                                                                Racism



                                                                                Humans in universe B have all existing portals to universe A.



                                                                                They refuse to travel to Universe A because they let all these subhuman species mingle together, also, they aren't terribly keen on letting their resident non-humans escape oppression via mass exodus through these mirrors, so the mirrors to Universe A are kept under close observation.



                                                                                Likewise, Universe A isn't too keen on being a destination for refugees from this backwater hell hole of a universe - all the humans are bigoted jerks, and if they started taking in the non-humans it'd get to be a serious immigration problem. Similarly, if any of their own people went over, their either weirdo human supremacists, or they were insane enough to travel to a world where their own kind is totally oppressed, so in general Universe A isn't terribly keen on letting anyone from Universe B pop on over.







                                                                                share|improve this answer












                                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                                share|improve this answer










                                                                                answered 13 hours ago









                                                                                Iron GremlinIron Gremlin

                                                                                6997




                                                                                6997























                                                                                    1












                                                                                    $begingroup$

                                                                                    They are missing a spacial dimension, such as in the tale of Flatland or Interstellar (2014 movie).



                                                                                    Members of Universe A can interact with Universe B by ignoring their extra spacial dimension(s), but members of B cannot gain the dimensions that would allow them to enter or perhaps even properly perceive A.






                                                                                    share|improve this answer











                                                                                    $endgroup$













                                                                                    • $begingroup$
                                                                                      Note that this could be imperceptible. The extra dimensions might not be something the inhabitants of either universe are aware of, but are intrinsic and necessary to the process regardless. Imagine the difference between a circle in flatland vs a rod in flatland. Circle and Rod both have the same profile, but if you push Rod through flatland into another flatland behind it, they appear in both briefly before apparently being in the second one entirely. vs if you push Circle through their Flatland, they're adrift in the "void" between flatlands and may or may not arrive at their destination.
                                                                                      $endgroup$
                                                                                      – Ruadhan
                                                                                      6 mins ago
















                                                                                    1












                                                                                    $begingroup$

                                                                                    They are missing a spacial dimension, such as in the tale of Flatland or Interstellar (2014 movie).



                                                                                    Members of Universe A can interact with Universe B by ignoring their extra spacial dimension(s), but members of B cannot gain the dimensions that would allow them to enter or perhaps even properly perceive A.






                                                                                    share|improve this answer











                                                                                    $endgroup$













                                                                                    • $begingroup$
                                                                                      Note that this could be imperceptible. The extra dimensions might not be something the inhabitants of either universe are aware of, but are intrinsic and necessary to the process regardless. Imagine the difference between a circle in flatland vs a rod in flatland. Circle and Rod both have the same profile, but if you push Rod through flatland into another flatland behind it, they appear in both briefly before apparently being in the second one entirely. vs if you push Circle through their Flatland, they're adrift in the "void" between flatlands and may or may not arrive at their destination.
                                                                                      $endgroup$
                                                                                      – Ruadhan
                                                                                      6 mins ago














                                                                                    1












                                                                                    1








                                                                                    1





                                                                                    $begingroup$

                                                                                    They are missing a spacial dimension, such as in the tale of Flatland or Interstellar (2014 movie).



                                                                                    Members of Universe A can interact with Universe B by ignoring their extra spacial dimension(s), but members of B cannot gain the dimensions that would allow them to enter or perhaps even properly perceive A.






                                                                                    share|improve this answer











                                                                                    $endgroup$



                                                                                    They are missing a spacial dimension, such as in the tale of Flatland or Interstellar (2014 movie).



                                                                                    Members of Universe A can interact with Universe B by ignoring their extra spacial dimension(s), but members of B cannot gain the dimensions that would allow them to enter or perhaps even properly perceive A.







                                                                                    share|improve this answer














                                                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                                                    edited 15 hours ago

























                                                                                    answered 17 hours ago









                                                                                    ti7ti7

                                                                                    1154




                                                                                    1154












                                                                                    • $begingroup$
                                                                                      Note that this could be imperceptible. The extra dimensions might not be something the inhabitants of either universe are aware of, but are intrinsic and necessary to the process regardless. Imagine the difference between a circle in flatland vs a rod in flatland. Circle and Rod both have the same profile, but if you push Rod through flatland into another flatland behind it, they appear in both briefly before apparently being in the second one entirely. vs if you push Circle through their Flatland, they're adrift in the "void" between flatlands and may or may not arrive at their destination.
                                                                                      $endgroup$
                                                                                      – Ruadhan
                                                                                      6 mins ago


















                                                                                    • $begingroup$
                                                                                      Note that this could be imperceptible. The extra dimensions might not be something the inhabitants of either universe are aware of, but are intrinsic and necessary to the process regardless. Imagine the difference between a circle in flatland vs a rod in flatland. Circle and Rod both have the same profile, but if you push Rod through flatland into another flatland behind it, they appear in both briefly before apparently being in the second one entirely. vs if you push Circle through their Flatland, they're adrift in the "void" between flatlands and may or may not arrive at their destination.
                                                                                      $endgroup$
                                                                                      – Ruadhan
                                                                                      6 mins ago
















                                                                                    $begingroup$
                                                                                    Note that this could be imperceptible. The extra dimensions might not be something the inhabitants of either universe are aware of, but are intrinsic and necessary to the process regardless. Imagine the difference between a circle in flatland vs a rod in flatland. Circle and Rod both have the same profile, but if you push Rod through flatland into another flatland behind it, they appear in both briefly before apparently being in the second one entirely. vs if you push Circle through their Flatland, they're adrift in the "void" between flatlands and may or may not arrive at their destination.
                                                                                    $endgroup$
                                                                                    – Ruadhan
                                                                                    6 mins ago




                                                                                    $begingroup$
                                                                                    Note that this could be imperceptible. The extra dimensions might not be something the inhabitants of either universe are aware of, but are intrinsic and necessary to the process regardless. Imagine the difference between a circle in flatland vs a rod in flatland. Circle and Rod both have the same profile, but if you push Rod through flatland into another flatland behind it, they appear in both briefly before apparently being in the second one entirely. vs if you push Circle through their Flatland, they're adrift in the "void" between flatlands and may or may not arrive at their destination.
                                                                                    $endgroup$
                                                                                    – Ruadhan
                                                                                    6 mins ago











                                                                                    1












                                                                                    $begingroup$

                                                                                    Explanation:



                                                                                    The "magical lock" is actually placed on mirrors in Universe B by a secret order of humans tasked with preventing the other "savage" non-human races from traveling over to Universe A and obtaining technology that would be able to obliterate humans.



                                                                                    Source of Magic:



                                                                                    The source of magic in each universe is the combined wisdom and magical ability of all magic-wielding inhabitants. Universe A has many more highly adept magic users, owing to its relatively stable and functional society.



                                                                                    The Lock:



                                                                                    The strength of the lock is directly proportional to the magic abilities of the lock creator(s) and maintainer(s). In the case of Universe B, the human lock builders were very powerful and the secret order has maintained knowledge of and skill with magics that have been otherwise lost to the rest of the inhabitants. There has to this point never been an individual or group of magic users with enough ability to override a lock (many have tried). Killing one or more of the secret order diminishes the strength of the locks until/unless the order is replenished.



                                                                                    Travel:



                                                                                    Travelers from A->B maintain a magical connection back to the point of origin that allows them to return from any mirror in Universe B. In all but the rarest of cases, they do need to keep a talisman/device on their person that taps into the source of Universe A magic. The talisman temporarily unlocks (but does not destroy) any Universe B lock. The talisman itself is magic- and gene-locked, which means it cannot open a mirror portal without a willing, living magic user (i.e., no chopping off a hand or holding a gun to the talisman-holder's head).



                                                                                    Resolutions:




                                                                                    • A human from the secret order goes haywire and (magically or otherwise) forces the other members to release one or more locks.

                                                                                    • A human from the secret order has a child with a non-human and over time, diplomacy prevails and the multiple species become allies. The locks are released.

                                                                                    • A human from the secret order falls in love with a non-human and gives them a way to "overthrow" the humans.

                                                                                    • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The child grows up with a connection to the source of magic in both universes. Whenever someone travels from A->B, the child is able to tap into the vast magic reserves of Universe A. Over time, they become the most powerful magic user in Universe B.

                                                                                    • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The mother or father or both are killed at some point, leaving behind a talisman. The child's magic "profile" and genes match those of its parent from Universe A, allowing it to use the talisman.


                                                                                    Anyway, variations on a theme. I hope something in here helps you.






                                                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                                                    New contributor




                                                                                    Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                                                                    $endgroup$


















                                                                                      1












                                                                                      $begingroup$

                                                                                      Explanation:



                                                                                      The "magical lock" is actually placed on mirrors in Universe B by a secret order of humans tasked with preventing the other "savage" non-human races from traveling over to Universe A and obtaining technology that would be able to obliterate humans.



                                                                                      Source of Magic:



                                                                                      The source of magic in each universe is the combined wisdom and magical ability of all magic-wielding inhabitants. Universe A has many more highly adept magic users, owing to its relatively stable and functional society.



                                                                                      The Lock:



                                                                                      The strength of the lock is directly proportional to the magic abilities of the lock creator(s) and maintainer(s). In the case of Universe B, the human lock builders were very powerful and the secret order has maintained knowledge of and skill with magics that have been otherwise lost to the rest of the inhabitants. There has to this point never been an individual or group of magic users with enough ability to override a lock (many have tried). Killing one or more of the secret order diminishes the strength of the locks until/unless the order is replenished.



                                                                                      Travel:



                                                                                      Travelers from A->B maintain a magical connection back to the point of origin that allows them to return from any mirror in Universe B. In all but the rarest of cases, they do need to keep a talisman/device on their person that taps into the source of Universe A magic. The talisman temporarily unlocks (but does not destroy) any Universe B lock. The talisman itself is magic- and gene-locked, which means it cannot open a mirror portal without a willing, living magic user (i.e., no chopping off a hand or holding a gun to the talisman-holder's head).



                                                                                      Resolutions:




                                                                                      • A human from the secret order goes haywire and (magically or otherwise) forces the other members to release one or more locks.

                                                                                      • A human from the secret order has a child with a non-human and over time, diplomacy prevails and the multiple species become allies. The locks are released.

                                                                                      • A human from the secret order falls in love with a non-human and gives them a way to "overthrow" the humans.

                                                                                      • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The child grows up with a connection to the source of magic in both universes. Whenever someone travels from A->B, the child is able to tap into the vast magic reserves of Universe A. Over time, they become the most powerful magic user in Universe B.

                                                                                      • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The mother or father or both are killed at some point, leaving behind a talisman. The child's magic "profile" and genes match those of its parent from Universe A, allowing it to use the talisman.


                                                                                      Anyway, variations on a theme. I hope something in here helps you.






                                                                                      share|improve this answer








                                                                                      New contributor




                                                                                      Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                                                                      $endgroup$
















                                                                                        1












                                                                                        1








                                                                                        1





                                                                                        $begingroup$

                                                                                        Explanation:



                                                                                        The "magical lock" is actually placed on mirrors in Universe B by a secret order of humans tasked with preventing the other "savage" non-human races from traveling over to Universe A and obtaining technology that would be able to obliterate humans.



                                                                                        Source of Magic:



                                                                                        The source of magic in each universe is the combined wisdom and magical ability of all magic-wielding inhabitants. Universe A has many more highly adept magic users, owing to its relatively stable and functional society.



                                                                                        The Lock:



                                                                                        The strength of the lock is directly proportional to the magic abilities of the lock creator(s) and maintainer(s). In the case of Universe B, the human lock builders were very powerful and the secret order has maintained knowledge of and skill with magics that have been otherwise lost to the rest of the inhabitants. There has to this point never been an individual or group of magic users with enough ability to override a lock (many have tried). Killing one or more of the secret order diminishes the strength of the locks until/unless the order is replenished.



                                                                                        Travel:



                                                                                        Travelers from A->B maintain a magical connection back to the point of origin that allows them to return from any mirror in Universe B. In all but the rarest of cases, they do need to keep a talisman/device on their person that taps into the source of Universe A magic. The talisman temporarily unlocks (but does not destroy) any Universe B lock. The talisman itself is magic- and gene-locked, which means it cannot open a mirror portal without a willing, living magic user (i.e., no chopping off a hand or holding a gun to the talisman-holder's head).



                                                                                        Resolutions:




                                                                                        • A human from the secret order goes haywire and (magically or otherwise) forces the other members to release one or more locks.

                                                                                        • A human from the secret order has a child with a non-human and over time, diplomacy prevails and the multiple species become allies. The locks are released.

                                                                                        • A human from the secret order falls in love with a non-human and gives them a way to "overthrow" the humans.

                                                                                        • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The child grows up with a connection to the source of magic in both universes. Whenever someone travels from A->B, the child is able to tap into the vast magic reserves of Universe A. Over time, they become the most powerful magic user in Universe B.

                                                                                        • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The mother or father or both are killed at some point, leaving behind a talisman. The child's magic "profile" and genes match those of its parent from Universe A, allowing it to use the talisman.


                                                                                        Anyway, variations on a theme. I hope something in here helps you.






                                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                                        New contributor




                                                                                        Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                                                                        $endgroup$



                                                                                        Explanation:



                                                                                        The "magical lock" is actually placed on mirrors in Universe B by a secret order of humans tasked with preventing the other "savage" non-human races from traveling over to Universe A and obtaining technology that would be able to obliterate humans.



                                                                                        Source of Magic:



                                                                                        The source of magic in each universe is the combined wisdom and magical ability of all magic-wielding inhabitants. Universe A has many more highly adept magic users, owing to its relatively stable and functional society.



                                                                                        The Lock:



                                                                                        The strength of the lock is directly proportional to the magic abilities of the lock creator(s) and maintainer(s). In the case of Universe B, the human lock builders were very powerful and the secret order has maintained knowledge of and skill with magics that have been otherwise lost to the rest of the inhabitants. There has to this point never been an individual or group of magic users with enough ability to override a lock (many have tried). Killing one or more of the secret order diminishes the strength of the locks until/unless the order is replenished.



                                                                                        Travel:



                                                                                        Travelers from A->B maintain a magical connection back to the point of origin that allows them to return from any mirror in Universe B. In all but the rarest of cases, they do need to keep a talisman/device on their person that taps into the source of Universe A magic. The talisman temporarily unlocks (but does not destroy) any Universe B lock. The talisman itself is magic- and gene-locked, which means it cannot open a mirror portal without a willing, living magic user (i.e., no chopping off a hand or holding a gun to the talisman-holder's head).



                                                                                        Resolutions:




                                                                                        • A human from the secret order goes haywire and (magically or otherwise) forces the other members to release one or more locks.

                                                                                        • A human from the secret order has a child with a non-human and over time, diplomacy prevails and the multiple species become allies. The locks are released.

                                                                                        • A human from the secret order falls in love with a non-human and gives them a way to "overthrow" the humans.

                                                                                        • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The child grows up with a connection to the source of magic in both universes. Whenever someone travels from A->B, the child is able to tap into the vast magic reserves of Universe A. Over time, they become the most powerful magic user in Universe B.

                                                                                        • An inhabitant of Universe A has a child with an inhabitant of Universe B. The mother or father or both are killed at some point, leaving behind a talisman. The child's magic "profile" and genes match those of its parent from Universe A, allowing it to use the talisman.


                                                                                        Anyway, variations on a theme. I hope something in here helps you.







                                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                                        New contributor




                                                                                        Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                                                        share|improve this answer






                                                                                        New contributor




                                                                                        Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                                                        answered 14 hours ago









                                                                                        Marc CMarc C

                                                                                        111




                                                                                        111




                                                                                        New contributor




                                                                                        Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.





                                                                                        New contributor





                                                                                        Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                                                                        Marc C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                                                                            1












                                                                                            $begingroup$

                                                                                            Universe B is quite literally the opposite version of Universe A. So much so, that everything in Universe B is in fact made of antimatter.



                                                                                            Antimatter is perfectly harmless with itself and behaves exactly like ordinary matter (other than the fact that they have positrons and antiprotons instead of electrons and protons). However, we all know that matter and antimatter don't mix: when such particles interact, they violently transform into pure energy.



                                                                                            So how can people from Universe A use the mirrors to explore Universe B? Well, the mirrors are more than mere portals between universes. A better analogy would be an airlock. Crossing the mirror from A to B applies a magical "antimatter shielding" to each individual particle, such that they behave exactly like antimatter particles.



                                                                                            When returning to Universe A, the shielding is stripped away and the ordinary matter behaves ordinarily once again.



                                                                                            Unfortunately, the mirrors were developed with this explicit "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" rule. Therefore, if anyone or anything from Universe B tries to cross into Universe A, the mirror won't be able to place "matter shielding" on them... to horrendous effect.



                                                                                            Now, you can choose how secure the mirrors are regarding Universe B objects.




                                                                                            • They can be dangerously unsecure, such that objects and people CAN cross, but there are just rules forbidding it for the simple reason that if anything were to cross, it'd be the equivalent of multiple nuclear bombs the moment they crossed.1 This would be the equivalent of the mirror going "oh, this object has no shielding to wax off, so ignore it".

                                                                                            • They can be secure, forbidding non-shielded (anti)matter from crossing back into Universe A. You can also choose how severe this security feature is:


                                                                                              • It may be harmless to those attempting to cross: the mirror momentarily shuts down as soon as the first non-shielded molecule attempts to cross1

                                                                                              • It may be harmful: the mirror allows the molecules to enter,2 but upon detecting that they are unshielded, destroys them. So if someone from Universe B puts their hand through the mirror, they'll no longer have a hand.

                                                                                              • It may be lethal: the mirror allows entire objects/people3 to enter before determining whether they are unshielded. If so, the entire object/person is destroyed.






                                                                                            Later on, this problem is somehow overcome, such that people from Universe B can cross over to Universe A.



                                                                                            As others have suggested, this may be by people from Universe B developing their own mirrors. This would imply that members of each universe must use different mirrors.



                                                                                            Another option is that someone figures out how to "hack" the original mirrors to allow passage. You can once again decide how easy or hard this is:




                                                                                            • They just had to change the mirror's behavior from "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" to "unshielded = wax on", "shielded = wax off". This implies that the antimatter shielding for ordinary matter can be trivially repurposed as ordinary-matter shielding for antimatter.

                                                                                            • They had to develop shielding suitable to make antimatter behave like ordinary matter, and then make the mirror's "code" more complex: "if A-matter, A $rightarrow$ B = wax on antimatter shielding, B $rightarrow$ A = wax off antimatter shielding; if B-matter, B $rightarrow$ A = wax on ordinary matter shielding, A $rightarrow$ B = wax off ordinary matter shielding".




                                                                                            1 (yes, this footnote appears twice above) Some magic handwaving will be needed to explain why random air molecules from Universe B aren't a problem (either generating massive heat on the Universe A side or causing the mirror to constantly shut down). Or just ignore this point.



                                                                                            2 Note the word here is "enter", not "cross". This implies that the mirror isn't a door, but a bridge between the two dimensions, such that objects actually don't go A $rightarrow$ B (or vice versa), but A $rightarrow$ mirror bridge $rightarrow$ B. The travel between both ends can be virtually instantaneous as far as anyone is concerned, but this bridge is the "safe zone" where the unauthorized unshielded antimatter can be safely destroyed before it can enter Universe A.



                                                                                            3 Some more magic handwaving (or authorial ignoring) will be needed to explain how the mirror identifies what constitutes an "entire object/person".






                                                                                            share|improve this answer









                                                                                            $endgroup$


















                                                                                              1












                                                                                              $begingroup$

                                                                                              Universe B is quite literally the opposite version of Universe A. So much so, that everything in Universe B is in fact made of antimatter.



                                                                                              Antimatter is perfectly harmless with itself and behaves exactly like ordinary matter (other than the fact that they have positrons and antiprotons instead of electrons and protons). However, we all know that matter and antimatter don't mix: when such particles interact, they violently transform into pure energy.



                                                                                              So how can people from Universe A use the mirrors to explore Universe B? Well, the mirrors are more than mere portals between universes. A better analogy would be an airlock. Crossing the mirror from A to B applies a magical "antimatter shielding" to each individual particle, such that they behave exactly like antimatter particles.



                                                                                              When returning to Universe A, the shielding is stripped away and the ordinary matter behaves ordinarily once again.



                                                                                              Unfortunately, the mirrors were developed with this explicit "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" rule. Therefore, if anyone or anything from Universe B tries to cross into Universe A, the mirror won't be able to place "matter shielding" on them... to horrendous effect.



                                                                                              Now, you can choose how secure the mirrors are regarding Universe B objects.




                                                                                              • They can be dangerously unsecure, such that objects and people CAN cross, but there are just rules forbidding it for the simple reason that if anything were to cross, it'd be the equivalent of multiple nuclear bombs the moment they crossed.1 This would be the equivalent of the mirror going "oh, this object has no shielding to wax off, so ignore it".

                                                                                              • They can be secure, forbidding non-shielded (anti)matter from crossing back into Universe A. You can also choose how severe this security feature is:


                                                                                                • It may be harmless to those attempting to cross: the mirror momentarily shuts down as soon as the first non-shielded molecule attempts to cross1

                                                                                                • It may be harmful: the mirror allows the molecules to enter,2 but upon detecting that they are unshielded, destroys them. So if someone from Universe B puts their hand through the mirror, they'll no longer have a hand.

                                                                                                • It may be lethal: the mirror allows entire objects/people3 to enter before determining whether they are unshielded. If so, the entire object/person is destroyed.






                                                                                              Later on, this problem is somehow overcome, such that people from Universe B can cross over to Universe A.



                                                                                              As others have suggested, this may be by people from Universe B developing their own mirrors. This would imply that members of each universe must use different mirrors.



                                                                                              Another option is that someone figures out how to "hack" the original mirrors to allow passage. You can once again decide how easy or hard this is:




                                                                                              • They just had to change the mirror's behavior from "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" to "unshielded = wax on", "shielded = wax off". This implies that the antimatter shielding for ordinary matter can be trivially repurposed as ordinary-matter shielding for antimatter.

                                                                                              • They had to develop shielding suitable to make antimatter behave like ordinary matter, and then make the mirror's "code" more complex: "if A-matter, A $rightarrow$ B = wax on antimatter shielding, B $rightarrow$ A = wax off antimatter shielding; if B-matter, B $rightarrow$ A = wax on ordinary matter shielding, A $rightarrow$ B = wax off ordinary matter shielding".




                                                                                              1 (yes, this footnote appears twice above) Some magic handwaving will be needed to explain why random air molecules from Universe B aren't a problem (either generating massive heat on the Universe A side or causing the mirror to constantly shut down). Or just ignore this point.



                                                                                              2 Note the word here is "enter", not "cross". This implies that the mirror isn't a door, but a bridge between the two dimensions, such that objects actually don't go A $rightarrow$ B (or vice versa), but A $rightarrow$ mirror bridge $rightarrow$ B. The travel between both ends can be virtually instantaneous as far as anyone is concerned, but this bridge is the "safe zone" where the unauthorized unshielded antimatter can be safely destroyed before it can enter Universe A.



                                                                                              3 Some more magic handwaving (or authorial ignoring) will be needed to explain how the mirror identifies what constitutes an "entire object/person".






                                                                                              share|improve this answer









                                                                                              $endgroup$
















                                                                                                1












                                                                                                1








                                                                                                1





                                                                                                $begingroup$

                                                                                                Universe B is quite literally the opposite version of Universe A. So much so, that everything in Universe B is in fact made of antimatter.



                                                                                                Antimatter is perfectly harmless with itself and behaves exactly like ordinary matter (other than the fact that they have positrons and antiprotons instead of electrons and protons). However, we all know that matter and antimatter don't mix: when such particles interact, they violently transform into pure energy.



                                                                                                So how can people from Universe A use the mirrors to explore Universe B? Well, the mirrors are more than mere portals between universes. A better analogy would be an airlock. Crossing the mirror from A to B applies a magical "antimatter shielding" to each individual particle, such that they behave exactly like antimatter particles.



                                                                                                When returning to Universe A, the shielding is stripped away and the ordinary matter behaves ordinarily once again.



                                                                                                Unfortunately, the mirrors were developed with this explicit "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" rule. Therefore, if anyone or anything from Universe B tries to cross into Universe A, the mirror won't be able to place "matter shielding" on them... to horrendous effect.



                                                                                                Now, you can choose how secure the mirrors are regarding Universe B objects.




                                                                                                • They can be dangerously unsecure, such that objects and people CAN cross, but there are just rules forbidding it for the simple reason that if anything were to cross, it'd be the equivalent of multiple nuclear bombs the moment they crossed.1 This would be the equivalent of the mirror going "oh, this object has no shielding to wax off, so ignore it".

                                                                                                • They can be secure, forbidding non-shielded (anti)matter from crossing back into Universe A. You can also choose how severe this security feature is:


                                                                                                  • It may be harmless to those attempting to cross: the mirror momentarily shuts down as soon as the first non-shielded molecule attempts to cross1

                                                                                                  • It may be harmful: the mirror allows the molecules to enter,2 but upon detecting that they are unshielded, destroys them. So if someone from Universe B puts their hand through the mirror, they'll no longer have a hand.

                                                                                                  • It may be lethal: the mirror allows entire objects/people3 to enter before determining whether they are unshielded. If so, the entire object/person is destroyed.






                                                                                                Later on, this problem is somehow overcome, such that people from Universe B can cross over to Universe A.



                                                                                                As others have suggested, this may be by people from Universe B developing their own mirrors. This would imply that members of each universe must use different mirrors.



                                                                                                Another option is that someone figures out how to "hack" the original mirrors to allow passage. You can once again decide how easy or hard this is:




                                                                                                • They just had to change the mirror's behavior from "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" to "unshielded = wax on", "shielded = wax off". This implies that the antimatter shielding for ordinary matter can be trivially repurposed as ordinary-matter shielding for antimatter.

                                                                                                • They had to develop shielding suitable to make antimatter behave like ordinary matter, and then make the mirror's "code" more complex: "if A-matter, A $rightarrow$ B = wax on antimatter shielding, B $rightarrow$ A = wax off antimatter shielding; if B-matter, B $rightarrow$ A = wax on ordinary matter shielding, A $rightarrow$ B = wax off ordinary matter shielding".




                                                                                                1 (yes, this footnote appears twice above) Some magic handwaving will be needed to explain why random air molecules from Universe B aren't a problem (either generating massive heat on the Universe A side or causing the mirror to constantly shut down). Or just ignore this point.



                                                                                                2 Note the word here is "enter", not "cross". This implies that the mirror isn't a door, but a bridge between the two dimensions, such that objects actually don't go A $rightarrow$ B (or vice versa), but A $rightarrow$ mirror bridge $rightarrow$ B. The travel between both ends can be virtually instantaneous as far as anyone is concerned, but this bridge is the "safe zone" where the unauthorized unshielded antimatter can be safely destroyed before it can enter Universe A.



                                                                                                3 Some more magic handwaving (or authorial ignoring) will be needed to explain how the mirror identifies what constitutes an "entire object/person".






                                                                                                share|improve this answer









                                                                                                $endgroup$



                                                                                                Universe B is quite literally the opposite version of Universe A. So much so, that everything in Universe B is in fact made of antimatter.



                                                                                                Antimatter is perfectly harmless with itself and behaves exactly like ordinary matter (other than the fact that they have positrons and antiprotons instead of electrons and protons). However, we all know that matter and antimatter don't mix: when such particles interact, they violently transform into pure energy.



                                                                                                So how can people from Universe A use the mirrors to explore Universe B? Well, the mirrors are more than mere portals between universes. A better analogy would be an airlock. Crossing the mirror from A to B applies a magical "antimatter shielding" to each individual particle, such that they behave exactly like antimatter particles.



                                                                                                When returning to Universe A, the shielding is stripped away and the ordinary matter behaves ordinarily once again.



                                                                                                Unfortunately, the mirrors were developed with this explicit "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" rule. Therefore, if anyone or anything from Universe B tries to cross into Universe A, the mirror won't be able to place "matter shielding" on them... to horrendous effect.



                                                                                                Now, you can choose how secure the mirrors are regarding Universe B objects.




                                                                                                • They can be dangerously unsecure, such that objects and people CAN cross, but there are just rules forbidding it for the simple reason that if anything were to cross, it'd be the equivalent of multiple nuclear bombs the moment they crossed.1 This would be the equivalent of the mirror going "oh, this object has no shielding to wax off, so ignore it".

                                                                                                • They can be secure, forbidding non-shielded (anti)matter from crossing back into Universe A. You can also choose how severe this security feature is:


                                                                                                  • It may be harmless to those attempting to cross: the mirror momentarily shuts down as soon as the first non-shielded molecule attempts to cross1

                                                                                                  • It may be harmful: the mirror allows the molecules to enter,2 but upon detecting that they are unshielded, destroys them. So if someone from Universe B puts their hand through the mirror, they'll no longer have a hand.

                                                                                                  • It may be lethal: the mirror allows entire objects/people3 to enter before determining whether they are unshielded. If so, the entire object/person is destroyed.






                                                                                                Later on, this problem is somehow overcome, such that people from Universe B can cross over to Universe A.



                                                                                                As others have suggested, this may be by people from Universe B developing their own mirrors. This would imply that members of each universe must use different mirrors.



                                                                                                Another option is that someone figures out how to "hack" the original mirrors to allow passage. You can once again decide how easy or hard this is:




                                                                                                • They just had to change the mirror's behavior from "A $rightarrow$ B = wax on", "B $rightarrow$ A = wax off" to "unshielded = wax on", "shielded = wax off". This implies that the antimatter shielding for ordinary matter can be trivially repurposed as ordinary-matter shielding for antimatter.

                                                                                                • They had to develop shielding suitable to make antimatter behave like ordinary matter, and then make the mirror's "code" more complex: "if A-matter, A $rightarrow$ B = wax on antimatter shielding, B $rightarrow$ A = wax off antimatter shielding; if B-matter, B $rightarrow$ A = wax on ordinary matter shielding, A $rightarrow$ B = wax off ordinary matter shielding".




                                                                                                1 (yes, this footnote appears twice above) Some magic handwaving will be needed to explain why random air molecules from Universe B aren't a problem (either generating massive heat on the Universe A side or causing the mirror to constantly shut down). Or just ignore this point.



                                                                                                2 Note the word here is "enter", not "cross". This implies that the mirror isn't a door, but a bridge between the two dimensions, such that objects actually don't go A $rightarrow$ B (or vice versa), but A $rightarrow$ mirror bridge $rightarrow$ B. The travel between both ends can be virtually instantaneous as far as anyone is concerned, but this bridge is the "safe zone" where the unauthorized unshielded antimatter can be safely destroyed before it can enter Universe A.



                                                                                                3 Some more magic handwaving (or authorial ignoring) will be needed to explain how the mirror identifies what constitutes an "entire object/person".







                                                                                                share|improve this answer












                                                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                                                share|improve this answer










                                                                                                answered 8 hours ago









                                                                                                WasabiWasabi

                                                                                                33015




                                                                                                33015























                                                                                                    0












                                                                                                    $begingroup$

                                                                                                    Evolution of Conceptualization



                                                                                                    That an item can be enchanted at all is a concept that requires people to evolve spiritually and mentally enough to enable the enchantment.



                                                                                                    "A" people have spent countless generations becoming aware of this concept and gradually attained the ability at a societal level to easily enchant an item for travel to "B".



                                                                                                    "B" people are in a younger universe and haven't yet evolved to that level of conceptualization needed to make the enchantment work for them... or at least they hadn't until plot progression event X occurred.



                                                                                                    Perhaps event X was simply some "C" people that were tired of waiting for "A" people to next conceptualize travel to "C" and nudged things along. After all, all "C's" know that A + B tranposed by X = C.






                                                                                                    share|improve this answer









                                                                                                    $endgroup$


















                                                                                                      0












                                                                                                      $begingroup$

                                                                                                      Evolution of Conceptualization



                                                                                                      That an item can be enchanted at all is a concept that requires people to evolve spiritually and mentally enough to enable the enchantment.



                                                                                                      "A" people have spent countless generations becoming aware of this concept and gradually attained the ability at a societal level to easily enchant an item for travel to "B".



                                                                                                      "B" people are in a younger universe and haven't yet evolved to that level of conceptualization needed to make the enchantment work for them... or at least they hadn't until plot progression event X occurred.



                                                                                                      Perhaps event X was simply some "C" people that were tired of waiting for "A" people to next conceptualize travel to "C" and nudged things along. After all, all "C's" know that A + B tranposed by X = C.






                                                                                                      share|improve this answer









                                                                                                      $endgroup$
















                                                                                                        0












                                                                                                        0








                                                                                                        0





                                                                                                        $begingroup$

                                                                                                        Evolution of Conceptualization



                                                                                                        That an item can be enchanted at all is a concept that requires people to evolve spiritually and mentally enough to enable the enchantment.



                                                                                                        "A" people have spent countless generations becoming aware of this concept and gradually attained the ability at a societal level to easily enchant an item for travel to "B".



                                                                                                        "B" people are in a younger universe and haven't yet evolved to that level of conceptualization needed to make the enchantment work for them... or at least they hadn't until plot progression event X occurred.



                                                                                                        Perhaps event X was simply some "C" people that were tired of waiting for "A" people to next conceptualize travel to "C" and nudged things along. After all, all "C's" know that A + B tranposed by X = C.






                                                                                                        share|improve this answer









                                                                                                        $endgroup$



                                                                                                        Evolution of Conceptualization



                                                                                                        That an item can be enchanted at all is a concept that requires people to evolve spiritually and mentally enough to enable the enchantment.



                                                                                                        "A" people have spent countless generations becoming aware of this concept and gradually attained the ability at a societal level to easily enchant an item for travel to "B".



                                                                                                        "B" people are in a younger universe and haven't yet evolved to that level of conceptualization needed to make the enchantment work for them... or at least they hadn't until plot progression event X occurred.



                                                                                                        Perhaps event X was simply some "C" people that were tired of waiting for "A" people to next conceptualize travel to "C" and nudged things along. After all, all "C's" know that A + B tranposed by X = C.







                                                                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                                                                        answered 10 hours ago









                                                                                                        N2itionN2ition

                                                                                                        1,30556




                                                                                                        1,30556























                                                                                                            0












                                                                                                            $begingroup$

                                                                                                            The great interdict



                                                                                                            Years ago, a world traveler from universe B brought a plague to Universe A.
                                                                                                            Smallpox, the black death or something more exotic.



                                                                                                            It wiped out a large fraction of the population, including the family of some of the post powerful mages.



                                                                                                            To ensure it never happened again, a great and powerful ritual was enacted to block worldwalkers from entering universe A.



                                                                                                            The ritual has a keystone that can be destroyed or individuals can be keyed into it or it can be otherwise bypassed by someone who knows about it and has access to the keystone.






                                                                                                            share|improve this answer









                                                                                                            $endgroup$


















                                                                                                              0












                                                                                                              $begingroup$

                                                                                                              The great interdict



                                                                                                              Years ago, a world traveler from universe B brought a plague to Universe A.
                                                                                                              Smallpox, the black death or something more exotic.



                                                                                                              It wiped out a large fraction of the population, including the family of some of the post powerful mages.



                                                                                                              To ensure it never happened again, a great and powerful ritual was enacted to block worldwalkers from entering universe A.



                                                                                                              The ritual has a keystone that can be destroyed or individuals can be keyed into it or it can be otherwise bypassed by someone who knows about it and has access to the keystone.






                                                                                                              share|improve this answer









                                                                                                              $endgroup$
















                                                                                                                0












                                                                                                                0








                                                                                                                0





                                                                                                                $begingroup$

                                                                                                                The great interdict



                                                                                                                Years ago, a world traveler from universe B brought a plague to Universe A.
                                                                                                                Smallpox, the black death or something more exotic.



                                                                                                                It wiped out a large fraction of the population, including the family of some of the post powerful mages.



                                                                                                                To ensure it never happened again, a great and powerful ritual was enacted to block worldwalkers from entering universe A.



                                                                                                                The ritual has a keystone that can be destroyed or individuals can be keyed into it or it can be otherwise bypassed by someone who knows about it and has access to the keystone.






                                                                                                                share|improve this answer









                                                                                                                $endgroup$



                                                                                                                The great interdict



                                                                                                                Years ago, a world traveler from universe B brought a plague to Universe A.
                                                                                                                Smallpox, the black death or something more exotic.



                                                                                                                It wiped out a large fraction of the population, including the family of some of the post powerful mages.



                                                                                                                To ensure it never happened again, a great and powerful ritual was enacted to block worldwalkers from entering universe A.



                                                                                                                The ritual has a keystone that can be destroyed or individuals can be keyed into it or it can be otherwise bypassed by someone who knows about it and has access to the keystone.







                                                                                                                share|improve this answer












                                                                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                                                                share|improve this answer










                                                                                                                answered 2 hours ago









                                                                                                                MurphyMurphy

                                                                                                                24.2k24887




                                                                                                                24.2k24887























                                                                                                                    0












                                                                                                                    $begingroup$

                                                                                                                    Universe A might have a restrictive immigration policy



                                                                                                                    Universe A has had the magic mirrors for some time and has had several incidents of people coming from other universes already. For whatever reason, the government in Universe A has decided that it would like to heavily regulate or restrict immigration or tourism from other universes.



                                                                                                                    There are many potential reasons why any given polity would adopt a restrictive immigration policy. In no particular order:




                                                                                                                    1. Economic reasons (they're worried that they can't support more people / that them foreigners will took their jerbs!)


                                                                                                                    2. Public health concerns (does Universe B have diseases that nobody in Universe A has immunity to or expertise curing?)


                                                                                                                    3. Racism


                                                                                                                    4. Concerns about assimilation or culture (e.g. will people from Universe B speak the language and be able to find work?)



                                                                                                                    Alternatively, Universe B could have a restrictive emigration policy



                                                                                                                    Universe B's city sounds pretty awful, like it's run by a totalitarian regime of sorts. Totalitarian regimes often ban emigration to keep people from living somewhere better. Maybe they have a policy that prevents people from leaving their universe? Maybe the mirrors are totally illegal their and ownership of one is punishable by death or something horrific.






                                                                                                                    share|improve this answer









                                                                                                                    $endgroup$


















                                                                                                                      0












                                                                                                                      $begingroup$

                                                                                                                      Universe A might have a restrictive immigration policy



                                                                                                                      Universe A has had the magic mirrors for some time and has had several incidents of people coming from other universes already. For whatever reason, the government in Universe A has decided that it would like to heavily regulate or restrict immigration or tourism from other universes.



                                                                                                                      There are many potential reasons why any given polity would adopt a restrictive immigration policy. In no particular order:




                                                                                                                      1. Economic reasons (they're worried that they can't support more people / that them foreigners will took their jerbs!)


                                                                                                                      2. Public health concerns (does Universe B have diseases that nobody in Universe A has immunity to or expertise curing?)


                                                                                                                      3. Racism


                                                                                                                      4. Concerns about assimilation or culture (e.g. will people from Universe B speak the language and be able to find work?)



                                                                                                                      Alternatively, Universe B could have a restrictive emigration policy



                                                                                                                      Universe B's city sounds pretty awful, like it's run by a totalitarian regime of sorts. Totalitarian regimes often ban emigration to keep people from living somewhere better. Maybe they have a policy that prevents people from leaving their universe? Maybe the mirrors are totally illegal their and ownership of one is punishable by death or something horrific.






                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer









                                                                                                                      $endgroup$
















                                                                                                                        0












                                                                                                                        0








                                                                                                                        0





                                                                                                                        $begingroup$

                                                                                                                        Universe A might have a restrictive immigration policy



                                                                                                                        Universe A has had the magic mirrors for some time and has had several incidents of people coming from other universes already. For whatever reason, the government in Universe A has decided that it would like to heavily regulate or restrict immigration or tourism from other universes.



                                                                                                                        There are many potential reasons why any given polity would adopt a restrictive immigration policy. In no particular order:




                                                                                                                        1. Economic reasons (they're worried that they can't support more people / that them foreigners will took their jerbs!)


                                                                                                                        2. Public health concerns (does Universe B have diseases that nobody in Universe A has immunity to or expertise curing?)


                                                                                                                        3. Racism


                                                                                                                        4. Concerns about assimilation or culture (e.g. will people from Universe B speak the language and be able to find work?)



                                                                                                                        Alternatively, Universe B could have a restrictive emigration policy



                                                                                                                        Universe B's city sounds pretty awful, like it's run by a totalitarian regime of sorts. Totalitarian regimes often ban emigration to keep people from living somewhere better. Maybe they have a policy that prevents people from leaving their universe? Maybe the mirrors are totally illegal their and ownership of one is punishable by death or something horrific.






                                                                                                                        share|improve this answer









                                                                                                                        $endgroup$



                                                                                                                        Universe A might have a restrictive immigration policy



                                                                                                                        Universe A has had the magic mirrors for some time and has had several incidents of people coming from other universes already. For whatever reason, the government in Universe A has decided that it would like to heavily regulate or restrict immigration or tourism from other universes.



                                                                                                                        There are many potential reasons why any given polity would adopt a restrictive immigration policy. In no particular order:




                                                                                                                        1. Economic reasons (they're worried that they can't support more people / that them foreigners will took their jerbs!)


                                                                                                                        2. Public health concerns (does Universe B have diseases that nobody in Universe A has immunity to or expertise curing?)


                                                                                                                        3. Racism


                                                                                                                        4. Concerns about assimilation or culture (e.g. will people from Universe B speak the language and be able to find work?)



                                                                                                                        Alternatively, Universe B could have a restrictive emigration policy



                                                                                                                        Universe B's city sounds pretty awful, like it's run by a totalitarian regime of sorts. Totalitarian regimes often ban emigration to keep people from living somewhere better. Maybe they have a policy that prevents people from leaving their universe? Maybe the mirrors are totally illegal their and ownership of one is punishable by death or something horrific.







                                                                                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                                                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                                                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                                                                                        answered 2 hours ago









                                                                                                                        JoeJoe

                                                                                                                        2754




                                                                                                                        2754























                                                                                                                            0












                                                                                                                            $begingroup$

                                                                                                                            Balance between worlds



                                                                                                                            Balance is a common theme in fantasy writing. People expect it. The swing of the scales between good and evil, physical strength vs magical power, etc. Of course mirrors have to be powerful artifacts to counter this. Powerful enough that only the people in A have really mastered it.



                                                                                                                            One enters, one leaves



                                                                                                                            Mirrors can allow the balance to shift temporarily. When someone (or more specifically, up to X people, depending on the power of the mirror) portals A->B, it can't be used again until it portals X people back B->A.



                                                                                                                            The plot thickens



                                                                                                                            This means people have to be careful with mirrors. If you portal from A, the last thing you want is for people to know you're from A. You want to get in, do what you've got to do, and get out. B is a dangerous place, and the last thing you want is to be murdered for your mirror.



                                                                                                                            So this means it's not illegal or impossible for people to portal B->A, just hard and plot-dependent. Choose your own adventure from here :)





                                                                                                                            share









                                                                                                                            $endgroup$


















                                                                                                                              0












                                                                                                                              $begingroup$

                                                                                                                              Balance between worlds



                                                                                                                              Balance is a common theme in fantasy writing. People expect it. The swing of the scales between good and evil, physical strength vs magical power, etc. Of course mirrors have to be powerful artifacts to counter this. Powerful enough that only the people in A have really mastered it.



                                                                                                                              One enters, one leaves



                                                                                                                              Mirrors can allow the balance to shift temporarily. When someone (or more specifically, up to X people, depending on the power of the mirror) portals A->B, it can't be used again until it portals X people back B->A.



                                                                                                                              The plot thickens



                                                                                                                              This means people have to be careful with mirrors. If you portal from A, the last thing you want is for people to know you're from A. You want to get in, do what you've got to do, and get out. B is a dangerous place, and the last thing you want is to be murdered for your mirror.



                                                                                                                              So this means it's not illegal or impossible for people to portal B->A, just hard and plot-dependent. Choose your own adventure from here :)





                                                                                                                              share









                                                                                                                              $endgroup$
















                                                                                                                                0












                                                                                                                                0








                                                                                                                                0





                                                                                                                                $begingroup$

                                                                                                                                Balance between worlds



                                                                                                                                Balance is a common theme in fantasy writing. People expect it. The swing of the scales between good and evil, physical strength vs magical power, etc. Of course mirrors have to be powerful artifacts to counter this. Powerful enough that only the people in A have really mastered it.



                                                                                                                                One enters, one leaves



                                                                                                                                Mirrors can allow the balance to shift temporarily. When someone (or more specifically, up to X people, depending on the power of the mirror) portals A->B, it can't be used again until it portals X people back B->A.



                                                                                                                                The plot thickens



                                                                                                                                This means people have to be careful with mirrors. If you portal from A, the last thing you want is for people to know you're from A. You want to get in, do what you've got to do, and get out. B is a dangerous place, and the last thing you want is to be murdered for your mirror.



                                                                                                                                So this means it's not illegal or impossible for people to portal B->A, just hard and plot-dependent. Choose your own adventure from here :)





                                                                                                                                share









                                                                                                                                $endgroup$



                                                                                                                                Balance between worlds



                                                                                                                                Balance is a common theme in fantasy writing. People expect it. The swing of the scales between good and evil, physical strength vs magical power, etc. Of course mirrors have to be powerful artifacts to counter this. Powerful enough that only the people in A have really mastered it.



                                                                                                                                One enters, one leaves



                                                                                                                                Mirrors can allow the balance to shift temporarily. When someone (or more specifically, up to X people, depending on the power of the mirror) portals A->B, it can't be used again until it portals X people back B->A.



                                                                                                                                The plot thickens



                                                                                                                                This means people have to be careful with mirrors. If you portal from A, the last thing you want is for people to know you're from A. You want to get in, do what you've got to do, and get out. B is a dangerous place, and the last thing you want is to be murdered for your mirror.



                                                                                                                                So this means it's not illegal or impossible for people to portal B->A, just hard and plot-dependent. Choose your own adventure from here :)






                                                                                                                                share











                                                                                                                                share


                                                                                                                                share










                                                                                                                                answered 7 mins ago









                                                                                                                                GeobitsGeobits

                                                                                                                                29927




                                                                                                                                29927






















                                                                                                                                    Sami No is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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                                                                                                                                    Sami No is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













                                                                                                                                    Sami No is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












                                                                                                                                    Sami No is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















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