Summon Spirit
This spell allows the wizard to raise up the spirit
of a dead human or demihuman, which may answer
questions put to it by those present at the summoning. Of course, the questioners must speak the same
language as the dead creature.
Summoning a dead spirit is far from a certain or
trouble-free enterprise. The base chance that a spirit
will answer the summons is 50% + 1% for each experience level of the wizard casting the spell. This
chance of success also depends on the authority of
the caster in the spirit world, the length of time the
subject has been dead, and the specific time of day
during the casting (see table).
Regardless of actual penalties or bonuses, the
chance of success never drops below 5% or rises
above 95%. If the spell fails, there is always the
chance that the summoning will attract the attention
of some other (potentially hostile) spirit or undead
creature, either from the netherworld or the general
vicinity of the caster. The chances of summoning a
malicious undead are 5%, cumulative with every
failed attempt by the same caster. The DM may roll
on the table for the clerical spell summon undead.
Note that this spell in no way protects the wizard (or
those present at the casting) from the attacks of inadvertently summoned undead.
If the summoning is successful, the desired spirit
slowly rises from the ground before the caster. The
spirit's willingness to answer questions will first
determine the effectiveness of the spell. If the spirit is
of a different alignment than the caster or formerly
had more hit dice than the caster 's current level of
experience, the shade is entitled to a saving throw vs.
spells to resist the interrogation.
Provided that the spirit is agreeable, it can answer
no more than one question for every three levels of the
caster. Summoned spirits tend to be evasive and cryptic when questioned by the living. In general, their
knowledge is limited to what they knew while alive. A
spirit may also be called upon to answer specific questions about the near future, regarding actions undertaken before the next nightfall. Questions and predictions about future events are subject to the same
conditions and limitations as the priest spell augury.
This spell requires a shallow pit filled with the blood from
a slaughtered ram. The pit opens a symbolic link
with the netherworld, while the blood serves to lure
a spirit back into the world of the living. Note that
the blood may also attract hostile undead (if the
summoning fails). The DM may care to modify this
spell so that it always summons a host of spirits
(numbering 1 - 20) who must be individually questioned and placated before the desired shade arrives.
The DM may also care to increase the chances of
summoning a hostile undead (even if the spell succeeds) to reflect the caster's location and the tone of
the campaign. Obviously, calling a beneficial spirit
near the burial mound of a wraith may bring both
creatures to investigate the unusual summons.
Spirit Summoning Modifiers
Modifier | Condition |
---|---|
+5% | Caster is a necromancer |
+5% | Caster has spirit lore proficiency |
+10% | Caster is a member of the Witch kit |
None | Subject dead for up to I week |
-5% | Subject dead for up to 1 month |
-10% | Subject dead for up to 1 year |
-15% | Subject dead for up to 10 years |
-20% | Subject dead for up to 100 years |
-30% | Subject dead for up to 1000 years |
-50% | Subject dead 1000 years + |
-25% | Spell cast by day |
None | Spell cast at night |
+10% | Spell cast at full moon |
+25% | cast on a holy day associated with the dead |
+10% | Ancestor present at summoning |
-10% | Spirit previously summoned within the same month |
[Complete Book of Necromancers]
School: Necromancy
Level: 4
Rarity: Uncommon
Level: 4
Rarity: Uncommon
Range: 10 yards
Components: V, M
Duration: 1 round/ level
Casting Time: 1 turn
Area of Effect: 1 dead human or demihuman
Saving Throw: Special
Components: V, M
Duration: 1 round/ level
Casting Time: 1 turn
Area of Effect: 1 dead human or demihuman
Saving Throw: Special
the blood from a slaughtered ram
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