Gazing into the Void: What Happens When You Look Inside a Bag of Holding?
The Bag of Holding, a staple of many fantasy role-playing games, is a seemingly simple item with fascinating and often perplexing properties. One question that often arises is: what exactly do you see when you peer into its depths? The answer, quite simply, is nothing. When you look inside a Bag of Holding, you are met with an unfathomable void. There is no discernible bottom, no visible walls, and no light source illuminating the space. It’s as if you’re peering into a pocket of pure nothingness, an endless black expanse. This void is not just a visual trick; it represents the extradimensional space that the bag accesses.
This begs the question, why the void? The bag of holding doesn’t operate under the normal laws of physics and space. Instead, it links to a pocket dimension, a space separate from our own. This is why the contents of the bag, no matter how large or numerous, don’t physically occupy the same area as the bag itself. The visual representation of this connection is the void, a window into the extradimensional realm. It isn’t necessarily a physical ‘hole’ in the fabric of reality but a visual indication that the bag is operating on different rules. The void is a key feature that distinguishes it from a simple pouch or container.
This void is an essential part of the Bag of Holding’s mystique and mechanics. It emphasizes that it’s not just a convenient container; it’s a portal to a different realm. While it might seem disappointing to see only blackness, the true marvel of the Bag of Holding lies in its ability to store significantly more than its physical size suggests. It’s a testament to the creative magic that permeates fantasy settings.
Related FAQs About the Bag of Holding
To delve deeper into the fascinating world of the Bag of Holding, let’s address some common questions:
What is a Bag of Holding?
A Bag of Holding is an enchanted item that creates an extradimensional space inside it. This allows it to hold a significantly larger volume and weight than its physical size suggests, typically 500 pounds and 64 cubic feet of material.
How Big is a Bag of Holding?
Physically, a Bag of Holding is about two feet in diameter at the mouth and four feet deep. However, the space inside the bag is much larger, offering about 64 cubic feet in volume.
What Happens If You Put a Portable Hole in a Bag of Holding?
If a portable hole is placed inside a Bag of Holding, it creates a portal to the Astral Plane. Both the hole and the bag, along with any creatures within a 10-foot radius, are drawn into this plane, destroying both magic items.
Can Creatures Breathe Inside a Bag of Holding?
Yes, but for a limited time. Breathing creatures can survive for a number of minutes equal to 10 divided by the number of creatures, with a minimum of 1 minute. After this, they begin to suffocate.
Can You Open a Bag of Holding From the Inside?
Potentially, yes. While not explicitly stated in the item’s description, some rules designers have ruled that a Bag of Holding can be opened from the inside. However, the game’s Dungeon Master (DM) has the final say.
What Happens If You Overload a Bag of Holding?
If the Bag of Holding is overloaded, pierced, or torn, it ruptures and is destroyed, scattering its contents into the void.
Can You Detect Magic in a Bag of Holding?
Due to the extradimensional space of the bag, anything stored within it is not on the same plane as the bag and is more than 30 feet away, which means it cannot be detected with spells like “Detect Magic”.
Does Food Rot Inside a Bag of Holding?
Yes, things do decay inside a Bag of Holding, just at a normal rate. There is another magic item called a Bag of Colding that offers less space but keeps its contents cold and fresh.
Is There Light Inside a Bag of Holding?
No. The interior of an empty Bag of Holding is in complete darkness, since it is sealed off from both the Prime Material Plane and the Astral Plane.
What School of Magic is a Bag of Holding?
A Bag of Holding is a product of the Conjuration school of magic.
How Rare is a Bag of Holding?
A Bag of Holding is considered an uncommon magic item.
Can You Put a Ghost in a Bag of Holding?
Yes, a ghost could be trapped in the extradimensional space of the bag, although it would not be harmed by it. The ghost would be released if the bag is opened.
Can You Pickpocket a Bag of Holding?
It’s possible to pickpocket a Bag of Holding but retrieving an item from it requires an action. The attempt would be difficult, because the pickpocket needs to have their hand inside the bag for six seconds, which could be seen. This would be a challenging pickpocketing attempt with a high DC.
What is Better: Bag of Holding or Portable Hole?
Both are fantastic for different reasons, but a portable hole holds significantly more, at approximately 282 cubic feet of storage compared to a Bag of Holding‘s 64 cubic feet. However, combining them is extremely dangerous because of the risk of creating a portal to the Astral Plane.
Why is the Bag of Holding so useful?
The primary use of a Bag of Holding is its ability to store a large amount of materials without having it impact the weight that the carrier has to lift. This allows the adventurers to carry all their loot, equipment and supplies efficiently and comfortably. It also has a practical use by being able to have the most relevant items to hand, while still carrying everything else.
Conclusion
The Bag of Holding is far more than a simple magical storage container. The void you see when peering inside serves as a constant reminder of its extradimensional nature, adding to its mystery and appeal. This simple feature is a key piece of its operation and makes it a fantastic item for a fantasy setting, as well as a useful item for any adventurer. The FAQs presented help to further expand your understanding of this useful magical item.