Is it inherently evil to summon up a demon?

[Angcuru]

What does the demon want in return for the recipe? A demon would never give something away for free.

perhaps a recipe for a good steak marinade?

 

[ArcOfCorinth]

Cheesecake is unhealthy! Don't listen to the demon!

 

[green slime]

While giving you the receipe, it may insinuate certain things, that although not immediately obvious, begin to nag at the back of your mind... "What if it is true? What if there really is a more efficient cake mixture in the land of Nog...Why didn't blackshirt5 mention that to me?" A demon will quickly work on your weaknesses, sowing seeds of disharmony amongst friends, casually tossed into the conversation as if nothing, but that work away at your subconscious, preying on your innermost fears, until in moment of weakness, you betray yourself.

"Blackshirt5! Give me the receipe for your cake mix from Nog, lest I slay thee!"

"But, I have none..."

"Then DIE!"

 

[Angcuru]

That's just not right!

 

[Spatula]

Voadam's right. The spell descriptions for such spells (like lesser planar ally, lesser planar binding, etc.) state that "When you use a calling spell that calls an air, chaotic, earth, evil, fire, good, lawful, or water creature, it is a spell of that type."

So, calling a demon (CE) makes the spell (and act) both chaotic and evil.

So does casting Protection from Good (which has the Evil descriptor) put one on the path to damnation?

 

[ArcOfCorinth]

So does casting Protection from Good (which has the Evil descriptor) put one on the path to damnation?

If you're doing it so you can kill the Solar protecting the treasure chest, then yes.

If you're doing it so the misinformed paladin doesn't skewer you with her longsword before you have a chance to explain how you were really and truly innocent, then now.

 

[green slime]

One casting does not make you an evil person.

But yes, the act itself is an evil one... Thereof the [Evil] descriptor.

 

[ArcOfCorinth]

One casting does not make you an evil person.

But yes, the act itself is an evil one... Thereof the [Evil] descriptor.

However, Pro: Evil isn't an intelligent outsider that's wholly evil and vile. The Pro: Evil spell does nothing but protect your well-being and is completely reliant on your own conscious decisions.

A summoned demon will be plotting against you as soon as you conjure him.

 

[green slime]

That's just not right!

Well perchance I exagerate a little, to make a point. But the effect could be just as debilitating if it were to break up a life long friendship.

These are immortal beings that rise to power through the use of lies and paranoia. Of course they are going to spread doubt and mistrust about them as much as they can. In the midst of battle, in the course of a casual conversation. They aren't there to aid you...

 

[Tiefling]

Summoning the demon in the first place is intentionally opening the door for evil to occur. Anyone with enough knowledge to summon a demon surely knows this. Isn't intentionally increasing the chance for evil things to happen an evil act? Demons want to be summoned. They want to strike bargains.

Nah. Lot's of good things have been done at the risk of evil occuring as a result. You just have to weigh the potential gains against the potential loss.

Anyway, just my opinion on the matter.

Cool.