Cleric Alignment and Summoning [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cleric Alignment and Summoning [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Baddum12
10-23-07, 04:20 PM I already know about the fact that being Neutral Good doesn't mean I can't cast necromancy and whatnot, just spells that say [Evil] are uncastable for me. But what about Summon Monster?

Can I only summon the NG monsters? Or can I summon ANY good aligned creature? What about the True Neutral ones? Is there ANY way for me to summon the Evil aligned ones? Again, I am Neutral Good.
Howie23
10-23-07, 04:37 PM I already know about the fact that being Neutral Good doesn't mean I can't cast necromancy and whatnot, just spells that say [Evil] are uncastable for me. But what about Summon Monster?

Can I only summon the NG monsters? Or can I summon ANY good aligned creature? What about the True Neutral ones? Is there ANY way for me to summon the Evil aligned ones? Again, I am Neutral Good.

Being NG, you cannot cast spells that have the [evil] descriptor. A summon spell takes on the alignment descriptors based upon the type of creature summoned. If you summon a CE creature, the spell takes on both [evil] and [chaotic] descriptors. While you don't care about the [chaotic] descriptor, the [evil] descriptor makes the spell a no-no.

You can summon fiendish base creatures via conjure ice beast from Frostburn; instead of a fiendish foo, you'll get an ice beast foo, which is a construct. The Ice Beast template changes the creature to neutral, and thus, no alignment descriptor. It works better for some creatures than others, as you lose the SQ and SA for the base fiendish creature.

Note that you also cannot cast spells with a descriptor that is opposed, not just by your alignment, but by your deity's alignment, as well. So, if you are an NG cleric of a CG god, [lawful] spells are off limits, too. Some of the popular character sheet programs don't get this right.
Baddum12
10-23-07, 04:43 PM Thanks so much for the response. I'm afraid the last part has raised some questions.

I am a NG Cleric under Pelor who is also NG.
Are both [Law] and [Chaotic] spells off limits for me?

I'm assuming neither Law nor Chaos actually "opposes" Neutrality, and therefore I'm in the clear. I'm just asking to be absolutely sure.
Seeker95
10-23-07, 05:02 PM I am a NG Cleric under Pelor who is also NG.
Are both [Law] and [Chaotic] spells off limits for me?No. As a neutral, you have access to both ends of the spectrum on which you are neutral. A LG cleric of Pelor could *not* summon a [Chaotic] creature, nor cast any other spell with the [chaotic] tag. Technically, it is not that they cannot cast it, but rather, they cannot receive it from their deity.
Baddum12
10-24-07, 01:01 AM Thanks for the info everyone! I really appreciate it.
Salla
10-24-07, 01:06 AM What has been stated here is, indeed, PHB Rules As Written.

That said, not all campaign settings and DMs use those rules. Can't hurt to double-check. ;) If the gods are less hands-on in the game world, then there might not be that restriction.
Seeker95
10-24-07, 10:09 AM Can't hurt to double-check.Just clarifying here. Salla means "doesn't hurt to double-check with your DM".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Baddum12 10-23-07, 04:20 PM	I already know about the fact that being Neutral Good doesn't mean I can't cast necromancy and whatnot, just spells that say [Evil] are uncastable for me. But what about Summon Monster? Can I only summon the NG monsters? Or can I summon ANY good aligned creature? What about the True Neutral ones? Is there ANY way for me to summon the Evil aligned ones? Again, I am Neutral Good.
Howie23 10-23-07, 04:37 PM	I already know about the fact that being Neutral Good doesn't mean I can't cast necromancy and whatnot, just spells that say [Evil] are uncastable for me. But what about Summon Monster? Can I only summon the NG monsters? Or can I summon ANY good aligned creature? What about the True Neutral ones? Is there ANY way for me to summon the Evil aligned ones? Again, I am Neutral Good. Being NG, you cannot cast spells that have the [evil] descriptor. A summon spell takes on the alignment descriptors based upon the type of creature summoned. If you summon a CE creature, the spell takes on both [evil] and [chaotic] descriptors. While you don't care about the [chaotic] descriptor, the [evil] descriptor makes the spell a no-no. You can summon fiendish base creatures via conjure ice beast from Frostburn; instead of a fiendish foo, you'll get an ice beast foo, which is a construct. The Ice Beast template changes the creature to neutral, and thus, no alignment descriptor. It works better for some creatures than others, as you lose the SQ and SA for the base fiendish creature. Note that you also cannot cast spells with a descriptor that is opposed, not just by your alignment, but by your deity's alignment, as well. So, if you are an NG cleric of a CG god, [lawful] spells are off limits, too. Some of the popular character sheet programs don't get this right.
Baddum12 10-23-07, 04:43 PM	Thanks so much for the response. I'm afraid the last part has raised some questions. I am a NG Cleric under Pelor who is also NG. Are both [Law] and [Chaotic] spells off limits for me? I'm assuming neither Law nor Chaos actually "opposes" Neutrality, and therefore I'm in the clear. I'm just asking to be absolutely sure.
Seeker95 10-23-07, 05:02 PM	I am a NG Cleric under Pelor who is also NG. Are both [Law] and [Chaotic] spells off limits for me?No. As a neutral, you have access to both ends of the spectrum on which you are neutral. A LG cleric of Pelor could not summon a [Chaotic] creature, nor cast any other spell with the [chaotic] tag. Technically, it is not that they cannot cast it, but rather, they cannot receive it from their deity.
Baddum12 10-24-07, 01:01 AM	Thanks for the info everyone! I really appreciate it.
Salla 10-24-07, 01:06 AM	What has been stated here is, indeed, PHB Rules As Written. That said, not all campaign settings and DMs use those rules. Can't hurt to double-check. ;) If the gods are less hands-on in the game world, then there might not be that restriction.
Seeker95 10-24-07, 10:09 AM	Can't hurt to double-check.Just clarifying here. Salla means "doesn't hurt to double-check with your DM".