Potestas: a D&D3E supplement

Spells

Call Arcane

Conjuration (Calling) [Arcane]
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Close
Target: One called arcane or elemental creature of 7 HD or less
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Minimum Power Points: 7
XP Cost: 70 plus payment; see text below

This spell calls an arcane or elemental creature to you. If you know an individual creature's name, you may call that individual by speaking the name during the spell (though you might get a different creature anyway if you don't use the creature's true name).
You may ask the creature to perform one task in exchange for a payment from you. Tasks might range from the simple to the complex. You must be able to communicate with the creature called in order to bargain for its services. The creature called requires a payment of its choice for its services. This payment can take a variety of forms, including wealth, magic items, or some action on your part that matches the creature's goals. Regardless, this payment must be made before the creature agrees to perform any services.
The bargaining takes at least 1 round, so any actions by the creature begin in the round after it arrives. A task taking up to 1 minute per Power point requires a payment of 10 XP per HD or a Purchase check against a DC of 19 + 1 per HD of the creature called. For a task taking up to 1 hour per Power point, the creature requires a payment of 50 XP per HD or a Purchase check against a DC of 24 + 1 per HD of the creature called. A long-term task, one requiring up to one day per Power point, requires a payment of 100 XP per HD or a Purchase check against a DC of 29 + 1 per HD of the creature called.
A nonhazardous task usually requires only half the indicated payment, while an especially hazardous task might require a greater gift. Few if any creatures will accept a task that seems suicidal (remember, a called creature actually dies when it is killed, unlike a summoned creature). However, if the task is strongly aligned with the creature's goals, it may halve or even waive the payment. At the end of its task, or when the duration bargained for expires, the creature returns to its home (after reporting back to you, if appropriate and possible).
Restriction: as an arcane spell, only arcane spellcasters can learn and cast this spell.
Heightened: Each additional Power point increases the maximum HD of the creature by one, but also increases the XP cost by 10. For each additional 5 Power points, the caster can call a second arcane or elemental creature. The total HD of the creatures summoned may not exceed the total Power points expended, and they negotiate and request payment together, as if they were one creature.


maintained by Gary Johnson (gwzjohnson at optusnet.com.au)
last updated 30 January 2005