Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Abbacabba 04-27-06, 04:19 PM	Players -- usually a common race, usually on the prime material plane, can cast "summon monster --" and they get a monster conjured up from another plane... right? What if an intellegent "Monster" on another plane, had a spell similar to "summon monster" would it then be possible that sometimes a person from the prime is called to them? I'm playing with the idea that a commoner being summoned for some menial task is not all too uncommon ("Summon monster I"). But perhaps sometimes warriors and heroes can be wisked away to help in some far distant plane. When the spell ends or they die, they return home, just as summoned creatures work for them.. Opinions? Suggestions?
Doopliss 04-27-06, 05:25 PM	In theory? Most of the standard races don't have racial HD, and you never really get something with class levels when you summon monster. It could be worked around, I suppose, but it wouldn't really be a summon monster. Also, you need to consider how it affects a game's continuity. If you allow someone to call specific NPCs, many a plot hook can be hurt by teleporting him in from any distance, perhaps giving an item or information, perhaps even Dominating him, (Ordering him to fail his save, of course) then sending him right back. If you intend to use it on PCs, the fun factor can take a major hit as they're whisked away from whatever quest they were on, forced into some task for someone they don't know, then plopped back wherever they started. It could work, but one would need a very carefully worded spell and plenty of forethought on each adventure. Even then, it would be risky. Keep in mind, nobody gets a save or chance to resist being summoned. If you allow the caster to designate a person, nobody at all is safe from the spell. If you don't then it's much more managable, but it's unlikely to ever affect a PC or important NPC.
Vaelan 04-27-06, 07:53 PM	No. Summon Monster is a summoning spell. Summoning spells do not yank creatures out of their homes. Calling spells, on the other hand, do. Gate, for example, could be used on another plane to call someone from the Prime Material, which is one of the tactics that is often houseruled against because there is no actual defense against it, thus making it problematic when used by and against the PCs.
Kyuketsukiouji 04-27-06, 08:00 PM	Not unless you use an optional rule in the DMG that allows you to make Summon spells specific, no. What could be used, however is Calling spells, not Summon spells. Note, however, than unlike what Vaelan said, there are actually ways to prevent other people from forcing you to other planes or elsewhere in the same plane (Dimensional Anchor, for one), so you wouldn't be able to pull that trick off too many times before someone wised up to it. And of course, there's the eternal "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" thing to bear in mind. Annoying too many powerful people might be a really good way to end up with the short end of that stick.
Chrono Nexus 04-27-06, 11:51 PM	Summon spells call forth an "echoe" of the original being, not the actual creature. I created a series of spells called "summon ally". They allow you to summon npc's from the DMG. A first level allows the summons of a first level commoner. A second level allows the summons of a fighter or barbarian or ranger or d3 commoners. Etc, etc... Basically casters are harder to access (higher level slots are required for a wizard or sorceror than a fighter type). The npcs are identical to the npcs in the DMG (including spell lists and equipment). Just like summoned creatures, summoned allies cannot use summons-variety magic or effects. Just like summoned creatures they and their gear dissapears at the end of the spell.
DeathsAudit 04-28-06, 10:39 AM	Gate can not force a unique being or deities to respond in 3.5.
RaspK FOG 04-28-06, 11:57 AM	Gate can not force a unique being or deities to respond in 3.5. This is commonly referenced as making Gate unable to call forth any specific individual, but the line actually refers to such creatures as the Tarrasque or Orcus.