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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Celebrim" data-source="post: 846360" data-attributes="member: 4937">I'm really amazed that this is even contriversial.I can only imagine that the people who don't find summoning a 'demon' evil imagine 'demons' to be something other than the mythic conatation of 'demon' would indicate.  Are you sure that at some level you aren't answering the question by say, "No, it is not evil to summon a 13 HD chaotic evil outsider that has 3 attacks per round and .... using a Summon Monster X spell."  In other words, is your answer based on the mechanics of summoning a demon being basically no different than summoning any other monster?It seems that there are four basic camps.  One, that summoning a demon to perform a task is basically just another thing that spell casters do, and what they order the demon to do determines the alignment of the act.   Two, a group that cites the mechanical rules of summoning demons in D&D and that such act has the [evil] descriptor and therefore is evil by the mechanical definition of 'evil'.   Three, a group which says 'It's not evil in my campaign', which sounds to me like 'I have things called demons in my campaign, but they really aren't demons they are just really ugly and powerful evil humanoids.'  And, lastly a group that says 'It's a demon for crying out loud.'I'm in the latter group.  Stop with the rules mechanics and the logical philosophical debate.  By definition, the word 'demon' means utter evil incarnated.  Stop with the logical part of your mind, and imaginatively examine what summoning up a demon means.   Smell the thing.  Feel the thing.  See the taint in the world.  Stop imagining it quickly before you become obsessed with the concept, and go vomit while you still have the proper reflexive reaction to evil.  Whether the rules mechanics exist or not, this is by definition unspeakable evil.  Much like 'the One Ring' this is something that cannot be used for good no matter how good intentioned one begins.   Summoning up a demon is so evil that it infuses the very stones in the environment with latent hate and wrath.  Don't build a house with them.   Don't plant seeds in that soul.  Do it a few times in the same spot and the stones will literally howl with madness.  The only safe thing is to break the stones, pour holy water over them, and scatter the peices.   Even then don't be sure that the stone won't call to some child, trip him, and dash his brains against itself.   Mortals simply can't be safely exposed to this level of evil.  The taint will creep into thier soul.  Simply making the decision to expose yourself to this evil and bring it into this world is enough of an opening in even the holiest persons defences for the evil to breach it.  Not even a Celestial will willing expose themselves, and will engage in a ritual of purification after even slaying such a foul thing.It's a demon for crying out loud.</blockquote>

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