Fiendish Codex I: Where are the rules for summoning demons? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Fiendish Codex I: Where are the rules for summoning demons? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Guennarr
06-13-06, 08:01 AM Hi there,

I had a look into the preview excerpts on the D&D site and missed a point that is vey important to me when it comes to demons: how to summon them.

There is a lot of information on specific demons, on their planes, new feats, skillls and all the ususall fluff stuff. But where to find some new information on this aspect?

Are Demons just evil plotters or hack'n'slash fodder?
Where is the aspect of summoning them/ bargaining with them (and having to pay the price for it later)?

It is *not* in Tome of Magic (ToM): In the product spotlight about ToM it clearly says: "Matthew: Vestiges aren't devils and demons in the usual sense. That would relegate pact magic to evil PCs and NPCs."
(source: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20060306a )

So where to find additional info on binding/ bargaining/ summoning (with) demons when it is irrelevant for a Fiendish Codex on demons?

Greetings,
Günther
Spike_Fightwicky
06-13-06, 08:20 AM Hi there,

I had a look into the preview excerpts on the D&D site and missed a point that is vey important to me when it comes to demons: how to summon them.

There is a lot of information on specific demons, on their planes, new feats, skillls and all the ususall fluff stuff. But where to find some new information on this aspect?

Are Demons just evil plotters or hack'n'slash fodder?
Where is the aspect of summoning them/ bargaining with them (and having to pay the price for it later)?

It is *not* in Tome of Magic (ToM): In the product spotlight about ToM it clearly says: "Matthew: Vestiges aren't devils and demons in the usual sense. That would relegate pact magic to evil PCs and NPCs."
(source: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20060306a )

So where to find additional info on binding/ bargaining/ summoning (with) demons when it is irrelevant for a Fiendish Codex on demons?

Greetings,
Günther

The 9th level Cleric/Wizard/Sorceror spell "Gate" does what you're asking. You can open up a gate to the Abyss and call forth a demon to do your bidding, provided you can offer him something he wants.
kliate
06-13-06, 08:44 AM Planar Ally (Divine Spell, see also Lesser and Greater versions)
Planar Binding (Arcane Spell, see also Lesser and Greater versions)
Gate (Arcane/Divine Spell, as above)
Shadow Conjuration (Arcane, see also Lesser and Greater versions)
Summon Monster III (Arcane/Divine, may summon Dretch)
Summon Monster VII (Arcane/Divine, may summon Babau)
Summon Monster VIII (Arcane/Divine, may summon Vrock)
Summon Monster IX (Arcane/Divine, may summon Bebilith, Hezrou)

Note that Summon Monster spells of higher level may summon 1d3 or 1d4+1 creatures from a lower level list (ie, Summon Monster IX may summon 1d4+1 Babaus or 1d3 Vrocks)

Epic spells can be designed to summon powerful outsiders, often in large quantities.
Wish, Miracle and Limited Wish can duplicate some lower level summoning spells
A Demon or Devil that has arrived on its own power (ie, not summoned) may use their summon ability to attempt to bring more Demons or Devils to their location (see the specific monster entry)
Guennarr
06-17-06, 08:55 AM Thanks for your answers!
But as I said: if you write a book on demons, why not flesh out this important part of being demon? Not in rule terms, but from a role playing perspective.

But then again this book seems to be one of the many *rule* supplements (unlike campaign/ roleplaying supplements). Sorry for ranting.

Greetings,
Günther
Shemeska the Marauder
06-17-06, 11:46 AM Thanks for your answers!
But as I said: if you write a book on demons, why not flesh out this important part of being demon? Not in rule terms, but from a role playing perspective.

Take a look at the 2e book 'Faces of Evil: The Fiends'. Virtually no rules, just flavor text and fluff that covers fiendish history, mindset, heirarchy, physiology, etc. It was also one of the major sources for portions of the new FC:1.

But then again this book seems to be one of the many *rule* supplements (unlike campaign/ roleplaying supplements).

Don't worry, the book has rules (by virtue of being a 3.5 book that seems a pre-requisite) but the book is stuffed full of fluff to the bursting point. It is better than I had hoped for, and it is, in my opinion, one of, if not the best, book so far made in 3e or 3.5.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Guennarr 06-13-06, 08:01 AM	Hi there, I had a look into the preview excerpts on the D&D site and missed a point that is vey important to me when it comes to demons: how to summon them. There is a lot of information on specific demons, on their planes, new feats, skillls and all the ususall fluff stuff. But where to find some new information on this aspect? Are Demons just evil plotters or hack'n'slash fodder? Where is the aspect of summoning them/ bargaining with them (and having to pay the price for it later)? It is not in Tome of Magic (ToM): In the product spotlight about ToM it clearly says: "Matthew: Vestiges aren't devils and demons in the usual sense. That would relegate pact magic to evil PCs and NPCs." (source: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20060306a ) So where to find additional info on binding/ bargaining/ summoning (with) demons when it is irrelevant for a Fiendish Codex on demons? Greetings, Günther
Spike_Fightwicky 06-13-06, 08:20 AM	Hi there, I had a look into the preview excerpts on the D&D site and missed a point that is vey important to me when it comes to demons: how to summon them. There is a lot of information on specific demons, on their planes, new feats, skillls and all the ususall fluff stuff. But where to find some new information on this aspect? Are Demons just evil plotters or hack'n'slash fodder? Where is the aspect of summoning them/ bargaining with them (and having to pay the price for it later)? It is not in Tome of Magic (ToM): In the product spotlight about ToM it clearly says: "Matthew: Vestiges aren't devils and demons in the usual sense. That would relegate pact magic to evil PCs and NPCs." (source: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20060306a ) So where to find additional info on binding/ bargaining/ summoning (with) demons when it is irrelevant for a Fiendish Codex on demons? Greetings, Günther The 9th level Cleric/Wizard/Sorceror spell "Gate" does what you're asking. You can open up a gate to the Abyss and call forth a demon to do your bidding, provided you can offer him something he wants.
kliate 06-13-06, 08:44 AM	Planar Ally (Divine Spell, see also Lesser and Greater versions) Planar Binding (Arcane Spell, see also Lesser and Greater versions) Gate (Arcane/Divine Spell, as above) Shadow Conjuration (Arcane, see also Lesser and Greater versions) Summon Monster III (Arcane/Divine, may summon Dretch) Summon Monster VII (Arcane/Divine, may summon Babau) Summon Monster VIII (Arcane/Divine, may summon Vrock) Summon Monster IX (Arcane/Divine, may summon Bebilith, Hezrou) Note that Summon Monster spells of higher level may summon 1d3 or 1d4+1 creatures from a lower level list (ie, Summon Monster IX may summon 1d4+1 Babaus or 1d3 Vrocks) Epic spells can be designed to summon powerful outsiders, often in large quantities. Wish, Miracle and Limited Wish can duplicate some lower level summoning spells A Demon or Devil that has arrived on its own power (ie, not summoned) may use their summon ability to attempt to bring more Demons or Devils to their location (see the specific monster entry)
Guennarr 06-17-06, 08:55 AM	Thanks for your answers! But as I said: if you write a book on demons, why not flesh out this important part of being demon? Not in rule terms, but from a role playing perspective. But then again this book seems to be one of the many rule supplements (unlike campaign/ roleplaying supplements). Sorry for ranting. Greetings, Günther
Shemeska the Marauder 06-17-06, 11:46 AM	Thanks for your answers! But as I said: if you write a book on demons, why not flesh out this important part of being demon? Not in rule terms, but from a role playing perspective. Take a look at the 2e book 'Faces of Evil: The Fiends'. Virtually no rules, just flavor text and fluff that covers fiendish history, mindset, heirarchy, physiology, etc. It was also one of the major sources for portions of the new FC:1. But then again this book seems to be one of the many rule supplements (unlike campaign/ roleplaying supplements). Don't worry, the book has rules (by virtue of being a 3.5 book that seems a pre-requisite) but the book is stuffed full of fluff to the bursting point. It is better than I had hoped for, and it is, in my opinion, one of, if not the best, book so far made in 3e or 3.5.