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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fuindordm" data-source="post: 2529024" data-attributes="member: 5435">I should say that I liked the Mongoose book too.  I don't know that adding another skill is the way to go though.Here are some thoughts for a complete system:Feat:  DemonologistBenefit: every rank in Knowledge (the Planes) grants you the true name and binding rituals required for one demon that you have learned through extensive research.  The demons need not be defined right away, but if one of your bound demons dies or escapes you, that name is no longer usable to you.Feat: Infernal AllyBenefit: you can use the rituals gained from Knowledge ranks as described above to bind demons to your personal service.  Binding a demon has three principle costs:Time: the ritual to bind any demon takes at least 24 hours, and more powerful demons may require even more time (generally one full day per 4 CR)Money: the cost in rare materials is equal to the CR of the demon squared, times 100 gpPower: some of the caster's available magical power is bound up in the ritual.  A player can bind any demon that he could normally summon through a spell with no additional cost. Other demons may also be bound with no additional cost if their CRx2 is less than the character's level.  If the demon's CRx2 is greater than the character's level, the difference must be paid in spell slots that becme unavailable to the caster while the demon is in his service.XP: the cost in XP to bind a demon is equal to the demon's CR squared, times 4.Example: Cain the Conjurer (level 5) wants to bind a Chain Devil  (CR6) to his service.  The ritual costs 3600 gp and 2 days to perform, and if it works then Cain must give up 12-5=7 spell levels' worth of spell slots. He gives up 2 first-level spells, 1 2nd-level spell, and a 3rd level spell, leaving him with 2/1/0 base spell slots that he can prepare spells in.  Costly, but he's gaining access to a resource that he wouldn't be able to summon normally until level 11.Using an infernal ally:If a character has the Demonologist and Infernal Ally feats, they can bind a demon at the costs described above.  Once the ritual is performed, the demon appears in the material plane but is bound by the ritual to take no actions other than communicating with its summoner.   The caster must make a Diplomacy or Intimidate skill check (DC=10+demon CRx2) to determine the terms of the service.  5 ranks in Knowledge (the Plaines) gives a +2 synergy bonus to the roll, and casters with Spell Focus: Conjuration gain another +2 to the roll.  The caster may take 10 on this roll if desired. The degree of success or failure determines the terms of the service:Succeed by 10 or more:  Demon sees great promise in you, and will provide extended services if you request it.Succeed by 5 or more:  Demon is happy to work with you, and will perform unusual or strenuous servicesSuccess:  Demon enters your service for the pleasure of working in the mortal world, but will make not put itself in danger without a minor payment.Fail by no more than 5: Demon demands a minor payment for any service, or a major payment for putting itself in danger.Fail by no more than 10: Demon demands an exhorbitant payment to put itself in danger, or a major payment for other services; if payment is not provided, it will refuse any further summons.Fail by 10 or more: Demon demands an exhorbitant payment even for minor services; if denied, it returns and will refuse any further summons.Example: Cain has a Cha of 16 and maxxed-out Diplomacy skill, and 5 ranks in Planar Knowledge for +10 to his roll.  The DC is 22.  He could take 10 and offer the demon an additional payment such as the sacrifice of a horse, or attempt a roll and hope to get the demon's first service for free.  If he wants the demon to fight a dangerous combat for him, though, taking 10 will require him to make a major payment.If the demon agrees to enter your service, you can demand a boon of it immediately or at some later time. When a service is completed, it returns to its home, but can thereafter be resummoned to perform another service by any Summon Monster spell with level equal to at least half the demon's CR.  Each time the demon is summoned, a new diplomacy check is required.Paying the demon: Demons do not accept coins as payment.  In order of preference, they will accept the following:Art Objects (100 gp/CR for minor payment, 300 gp/CR for major payment, 1000 gp/CR for exhorbitant payment): the demon will destroy or defile these in front of you. The demon may refuse to accept payment in art objects, if it was paid with them on the previous summoning. XP: (5/CR minor, 15/CR major, 50/CR exhorbitant)Magic Items: (judgement call on DM's part, but roughly following the three treasure categories; holy items are acceptable and will also be destroyed or perverted with a curse)Innocent lives (minor: large animal ritual sacrifice, or allowing the demon to kill a stranger; major: human sacrifice, or allowing the demon to kill an ally; exhorbitant: you must sacrifice an ally yourself)Consequences:The demon obeys your commands but is not under your direct control.  Especially if it is out of your sight, it may try to fulfill you orders in a manner that is ultimately harmful to you or your allies.Every demon that you successfully bind gives you one point of Taint (see unearthed arcana).  Each point of taint gives you a -1 penalty to all Cha-based skills except Intimidate, but a +1 bonus to the diplomacy skill when used on demons.  Every 2 points of taint gives you a -1 penalty to Fort saves.  Every 3 points of taint induces a minor physical mutation that speaks to your hellish traffic.</blockquote>

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