Arcane Summoning
This dangerous art is mainly concerned with the summoning of demons, or creatures from Lorenai. You can read about them in the Tome of Shadows, found in the Library. Most demons are human-like, except that they are ruled by their particular passion. To understand Summoning, one must have a basic knowledge of demonology.
Demons can be roughly divided into four categories, though it is said that few fit their definitions exactly. Demons should not necessarily be considered evil. But it is true that many of them consider humans to be little more than prey creatures. Still, these entities can often be reasoned with, which is the driving force behind Summoning.
Lesser Demons are weaker demonic types which could never pass for a human. They act as servants for more powerful demon types.
Incarnations do not feed off of humans, but are the embodiment of a particular human trait, such as physical strength or wisdom.
Daemereth are the demons who feed on humans, devouring them by means of causing pain, eroding their sanity, or feeding off their sexuality.
Abberations are strangely bred demonic forms, often crosses of other demon types with animals. They tend to be unpredictable and usually feed on human flesh or blood.
The spells below are rituals. The beginning Summoner will get all the spells described below. The only ranking bonus with Summoning is a straight 2% added to all percentages for each rank the Summoner has. Most advancement in Summoning comes from actual role-playing, in which the names of specific demons can be gained and relationships can be forged.
The Summonings will be dealt with first. These are the primary spells of the Discipline. Each will require either the Lesser Pentacle, the Higher Pentacle, the Greater Pentacle, or the Invoking Pentacle. This is a small item, about a foot by a foot, that must be made of certain materials and marked with specific runes. Getting these made is tricky, because requests for such strange work can arouse suspicion, and Summoning is considered outlawed in most provinces.
The Lesser Pentacle is cast of silver with gold inlay, and set with five topaz or peridot. Its average cost is eighty silver for the pentacle and 2,000 for the peridot or 7,000 for the topaz gemstones. More should be added for the labor of casting.
The Higher Pentacle is cast of gold with platinum inlay, and set with ruby. It costs about 280 for the pentacle and 30,000 for the rubies. More should be added for labor.
The Greater Pentacle is platinum with electrum inlay, and set with Star Emeralds. Average cost is 1,200 for the pentacle and 90,000 for the star emeralds.
Finally, the Invoking Pentacle is Electrum with Erthynsilver inlay, with diamond and black star sapphire cabs at each of the five points. The pentacle can be expected to cost 6,000 silver, and the stones 10,000 for the diamonds and 40,000 for the sapphires.
Obviously these costs make Summoning the province of the elite or cunning.
Here, then, are the Summoning spells. Each one will require the stated pentacle (which can, of course, be re-used). First a circle is set upon the working area, using one of three substances - chalk, sand, or diamond powder. When the demon is summoned, the ST should roll to see if the circle holds the demon. The powder, sand, or chalk used for the circle must be discarded after the ritual, and will not work again.
A period of Cleansing follows, in which the Summoner meditates and fasts. The Summoner must maintain this for a period of three hours. If they choose to Cleanse for a longer duration, they can add 2% to their Minor and Major Incantation percents for each extra hour spent in meditation.
A number of objects are necessary for the setting of the ritual (an average cost will be stated). These objects (such as candles, etc.) cannot be re-used, and must be purchased again if the ritual fails.
Then the percent chance for the Minor Incantation and the Major incantation will be stated. A Summoner can add 2% per rank to all of their summoning spell percentages, including the Holding chance of their circles.
If either of the Incantations fail, the demon will not come. If it does and the Holding fails, the demon will not be bound to the circle. A demon bound within a circle is only bound physically - thus suitable protections against possible magical attack should be utilized.
Any Summoning costs 10 Endurance to cast.
For descriptions of the demon types, see the Tome of Shadows, found in the Library.
Summoning of Minor Incarnations (Aein, Kaelius, Thoroc)
The Aein and Kaelius do not require a circle to be laid, as they are summoned directly into the circle of the Lesser Pentacle.
The Lesser Pentacle is necessary for all three.
Setting costs about 80 silver.
Minor Incantation (3 minutes) The demon type or personal name must be stated.
Aein (90% chance of success)
Kaelius (80%)
Thoroc (65%)
Major Incantation (3 minutes) Specific reagents are needed.
Aein (90%)
Kaelius (75%)
Thoroc (80%)
Holding Chances -
Aein (L.Pentacle) (96%)
Kaelius (L. Pentacle) (90%)
Thococ-
Diamond- 100%
Sand- 96%
Chalk- 85%
Summoning of Lesser Demons -- (Diamont, Lotos, Citah, Almethe, Elyavor, Esmonay, Draur-Tom)
Lesser Pentacle needed.
Setting takes one hour, materials cost about 300 silver.
Minor Incantation takes 3 minutes, and the Demon Type or personal name of the demon must be stated. (90% chance of success.)
The Major Incantation brings the demon. Specific reagents are needed.
(80% chance)
Holding Chances --
D(iamond)- 98%
S(sand)- 85%
C(halk)- 65%
Summoning of Higher Demons -- (Koth, Serneré, Kaena, Saeoman, Succubi/Incubi, Alaya-Tol, Coregg, Samen)
Higher Pentacle used.
Setting takes 2 hours, materials cost about 600 silver.
Minor Incantation- 3 minutes. 80%.
Major Incantation- 3 minutes. 70%.
Holding--
D- 93%
S- 80%
C- 50%
Summoning of Greater Demons -- (Mallun, Seula, Arius)
Greater Pentacle used.
Setting takes 2 hours, materials cost about 900 silver.
Minor Incantation - 3 minutes. 70%.
Major Incantation - 3 minutes. 60%.
Holding--
D- 90%
S- 75%
C- 30%
Greater Invocation -- (The Demon Lords and Mistresses- Morin, Tauronill, Medel, Kania Sol Rakelle, Lyafaer, and Shandralith)
This ritual is exceedingly dangerous, as these entities possess immortal strength and potent magics.
Invoking Pentacle used.
Setting takes 7 hours, at a cost of about 5000 silver.
Minor Incantation - 6 minutes. 80%.
Major Incantation - 12 minutes. 40%.
Holding-
D- 80%
S- 40%
C- 3%
Summoning of Aberrations-- (All aberration types)
Greater Pentacle used.
Setting takes 3 hours, at a cost of about 300 silver.
Minor Incantation - 3 minutes. 80%.
Major Incantation - 3 minutes. 70%.
Holding-
D- 96%
S- 80%
C- 65%
The Summoner will also have other spells at their disposal. The two most important are the exorcisms.
Exorcism
This simple incantation is the Summoner's quickest defense against a demon. It takes but a single quint to cast, and requires no reagents. It's range is 20'. However, it is most effective on a circled demon.
If it works, the demon will be swept away through the Astral and tossed into some random place upon Lorenai. They will be unable to shift into the Astral for the period of one moon, and because they will be unaware of their location and probably without any means of sustenance, an Exorcism often means death for a demon. Thus they take the threat of exorcism seriously, and if bound to a circle, this is an effective
bargaining tool.
An exorcism costs 2 Endurance to cast.
Chance of success --
Demon Type Circled
Uncircled
Minor
98%
70%
Lesser
96%
65%
Higher
85%
45%
Greater
80%
20%
Lord or Mistress 40%
--
Aberration
70%
10%
Exorcism Arcane
This is a more effective exorcism. However, it requires the demon's Type name to be spoken (for instance, Incubi or Kaelius). If the true name of the demon is known, add 5% (except in the case of a Lord or Mistress, in which case the true name is already part of the incantation).
An exorcism arcane costs 6 Endurance to cast.
This spell takes 3 quint to cast, and consecrated pure white sand must be thrown upon the demon.
Demon Type
Circled Uncircled
Minor
100%
98%
Lesser
100%
96%
Higher
96%
90%
Greater
93%
85%
Lord or Mistress 60%
20%
Aberration
90%
80%
The remaining spells--
Consecrate
This makes a material object baneful to demonkin. Consecrated swords or weapons will strike as normal, but do double the normal damage upon demons. The white sand used for Exorcism Arcane must be consecrated. If a Summoner consecrates a circle they have lain, add 5% to its Holding chance. Other objects, if consecrated, will be unaffected by any magic the demon possesses. Any food that is consecrated will act as a Deadly poison to the demon.
Cleansing -- This takes 1 hour, during which the Summoner meditates and fasts. In addition, the object or substance to be consecrated must be kept in a dark place for an entire day.
Setting -- The ritual must be set, at an average cost of 20 silver.
Incantation -- Takes 3 minutes. 80% chance of success.
This ritual must be renewed each moon or the object will swiftly lose its consecrated properties.
A consecration costs 4 Endurance to cast.
Journey Underworld
This highly dangerous ritual requires the Summoner to make and drink a
venomous potion with the desired result being that the Summoner will be able to enter, with their physical body, the realm of Lorenai. If effective, the Summoner will enter at a random spot (unless they have been to Lorenai before and can visualize a 'landing' area), and may remain up to 1 week.
The potion is made of various poisonous substances and then Consecrated. Then the potion is drunk and an object, used in the ritual, is laid on the ground where the Summoner wishes to return to Carador. (If this object is moved, the Summoner will return to the place the item is.)
When the potion is drunk, roll a 1d100. If the roll is 1-60, the spell is successful, and the Summoner will enter Lorenai with everything they are carrying.
If unsuccessful, the Summoner will become quite ill, losing 1d20 damage points, twice that many endurance, and experiencing severe hallucinations. The illness will last but a day, but the Summoner must heal normally.
This spell costs 10 Endurance to cast.
Manalife
This ritual puts a magical spell into an item, so that the holder of the item, if familiar with the usage of the item, can cast the spell from it instantly. The object must be kept in an undisturbed, dark place for 1 day. Then the object is taken out and an incantation, lasting 1 minute, is uttered. There is a base 60% chance of success, +6% per rank.
If successful, another spell must be immediately cast upon the object. The object will then be imbued with the spell and it can be cast from 1-6 times a day from the object, at the
ST's discretion.
This spell costs 6 Endurance to cast.
Possession
The person to be possessed must be captured, bound, drugged, etc. First the caster must undergo a Cleansing which lasts 1 hour. Then they prepare a draught which includes, among its ingredients, blood from both the captive and the caster. This potion must then be Consecrated.
Both the captive and the caster must then drink the potion. The caster will enter a trance, and then may enter the captive's body. The caster will have complete control over the victim's body, and will even have access to memories, magical abilities, etc. The caster can remain as long as they like, but their own body will remain in a comatose state and will eventually wither if not cared for. If the caster is killed while in the victim's body, the caster will be immediately returned, unharmed, to their own body.
This spell costs 4 Endurance to cast.
Bind Demon
This binds a demon to their word.
First the Summoner must summon the demon. Then they must cast Bind. The incantation takes 3 quint. Success is based on the demon type,
and the ST should roll the percentage, as the Summoner will not know whether the
Binding has been successful or not.
Minor - 96%
Lesser - 80%
Higher - 70%
Greater - 60%
Lord or Mistress - 5%.
After the Binding is cast, the caster has 3 minutes to cause the demon to speak a promise.
If the Binding was successful and the demon speaks a promise, the demon must keep their promise, for if they break it they will be instantly exorcised.
Familiar
This spell creates a pact between you and a demon for an agreed upon amount of time. It is usually used against a circled demon who is first threatened with exorcism. If the demon can be made to agree, a pact is signed with the caster's and the demon's blood, stating that the demon will do the bidding of the caster for the stated time, in exchange for freedom or other benefits for the demon. If the demon breaks any wording of the pact, they will be instantly exorcised. If the caster breaks any wording, the demon will be instantly freed.
This, then, is the Summoning Skill. This skill, in particular, requires much input from the ST, for Summoning is largely based on the relationships between the caster and the various demons he or she summons.