[RPG] Can the Gate spell draw a creature larger that 20 feet in every dimension through the portal it creates

creature-sizednd-5espells

The gate spell says:

When you cast this spell, you can speak the name of a specific creature (a pseudonym, title, or nickname doesn't work). If that creature is on a plane other than the one you are on, the portal opens in the named creature's immediate vicinity and draws the creature through it to the nearest unoccupied space on your side of the portal. […]

However, the size of the summoned portal is

5 to 20 feet in diameter.

What happens if you speak the name of a creature larger than 20 feet in diameter?

Best Answer

The rules are ambiguous

Here are two possible interpretations. Since there are two, you'll have to ask your GM whether this will work:

The creature is drawn through regardless of size

Spells do what they say, and no size limitation is placed on the "drawing through" effect of the spell. Whether or not the creature could fit through the gate normally, it is drawn through by this effect.

the portal opens in the named creature's immediate vicinity and draws the creature through it to the nearest unoccupied space on your side of the portal

If the spell could only draw through creatures that fit in a space equal in dimensions to the diameter of the portal, it would say so. Since it does not, this effect is not bound by the size of the creature.

Side-note: If you want a narrative explanation, most gargantuan creatures can squeeze through a space that huge creatures fit in (a condition that a 20 foot portal satisfies)

The creature can only be drawn through if it fits into the portal.

Since the spell specifies that the maximum portal size is:

20 feet in diameter.

Any creature that cannot fit will fail to be drawn through since you...

can't pull a creature through a hole that it doesn't fit through.

[credit to NautArch's answer]

Determining whether a creature can fit through the portal is an issue that NautArch's answer explores in a bit more detail. It's another question you will have to ask your GM as some creatures are too large to sensibly squeeze through a 20 foot hole (even though they are classified as gargantuan).