Turntorie

Turntorie is a fictional device described in speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing game design. It is typically depicted as a modular, rotating gate or portal that enables traversal between distinct scenes or environments. In many renderings, a turntorie consists of a central hub and a rotating ring of entry points, each aligned to different destinations when the ring is rotated.

The term appears to be a modern neologism combining the word turn with torii, the traditional Japanese gate. It emerged in online forums and fan-driven literature in the 2010s and was subsequently adopted by RPG writers and game designers to describe rotation-based teleportation mechanisms. The concept has been used across various genres, from science fiction to fantasy, with varying scientific or magical justifications.

Design and operation vary by work, but common elements include a central axis, a segmented rotating ring, and a control method to select a destination. When the ring aligns a chosen segment with the hub, the device supposedly activates a doorway or portal to the corresponding environment. Some interpretations emphasize energy conduits or magical wards powering the transition, while others present a purely mechanical mechanism. Variants include portable, handheld versions and larger, fixed installations used to connect multiple locations within a storyworld or game map.

Usage and themes often center on choice, fate, and temporality, as the available routes can change with rotation or over time. In games, players may solve sequence-based puzzles to unlock paths, while in fiction the turntorie can drive plot twists or serve as a metaphor for reorientation and decision-making.

See also: torii, portal, teleportation, rotation puzzle.