Gate : Calling Creatures

Shin Okada

Explorer
I have several points uncertain about "Calling Creatures" usage of the spell.

1. Duration
The spell's block says,
Duration: Instantaneous or concentration (up to 1 round/level); see text

And descriptive text of "Planar Travel" usage says,

You may hold the gate open only for a brief time (no more than 1 round per caster level), and you must concentrate on doing so, or else the interplanar connection is severed.

So, I assume that the duration for "Calling Creatures" (the other usage) is "instantaneous". And thus, basically, Gate (and thus called creatures) cannot be dispelled in this case. Am I right about it?

2. "extraplanar creature"

What does "extraplanar creature" mean in this case? A creature with (extraplanar) subtype? Or a creature who gains (extraplanar) subtype on the material plane?

It seems to be no doubt that someone on the material plane can call, say, a devil.

Can someone on Nine Hells call a devil? They do not have (extraplanar) subtype on Nine Hells.

Can someone on Nine Hells call a Storm Giant? A Storm Giant gets (extraplanar) subtype on Nine Hells.

3. "a kind of creature"

Can the caster choose to call, say "a Great Wyrm Chaos Dragon"? In other words, are dragons of different age categories considered to be "different kind"?
 

log in or register to remove this ad

So, I assume that the duration for "Calling Creatures" (the other usage) is "instantaneous". And thus, basically, Gate (and thus called creatures) cannot be dispelled in this case. Am I right about it?

Yep.

Gate said:
This use of the spell creates a gate that remains open just long enough to transport the called creatures.

Also, called creatures cannot be dispelled in general.

Schools of Magic said:
Calling: A calling spell transports a creature from another plane to the plane you are on. The spell grants the creature the one-time ability to return to its plane of origin, although the spell may limit the circumstances under which this is possible. Creatures who are called actually die when they are killed; they do not disappear and reform, as do those brought by a summoning spell (see below). The duration of a calling spell is instantaneous, which means that the called creature can’t be dispelled.


What does "extraplanar creature" mean in this case? A creature with (extraplanar) subtype? Or a creature who gains (extraplanar) subtype on the material plane?

Well, obviously, those spells are written with the material plane in mind.

Since the spell connects two planes, it seems reasonable to assume, that you can only call creatures that are not at home on the plane you are on. That is anything that gains the extraplanar type on the plane you are on.

So no devil calling while in the nine hells, but storm giant calling seems fine there.

Can the caster choose to call, say "a Great Wyrm Chaos Dragon"? In other words, are dragons of different age categories considered to be "different kind"?

I would definitely say so, yes.

You cannot, as usual, call a creature that happens to have rolled all 18s on stats or has this or that feat or class or whatnot. No specific creature (unless you know one by name, of course), just a kind of creature.

Bye
Thanee
 
Last edited:

You cannot, as usual, call a creature that happens to have rolled all 18s on stats or has this or that feat or class or whatnot.

Well, for dragons at least, unless you have access to draconomicon, the MM does not provide stats for each age category, so you (or at least the DM) should have some leeway in designating what feats it has and what spells it has chosen. ;)
 

Well, for dragons at least, unless you have access to draconomicon, the MM does not provide stats for each age category, so you (or at least the DM) should have some leeway in designating what feats it has and what spells it has chosen. ;)

Thats a good point. And as we are using Draconomicon, allowing to summon true dragons can be indeed a good idea. There are not so many truly useful 34+ HD creatures.
 

Pets & Sidekicks

Remove ads

Top