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ShortQuests -- Pocket Sized Adventures! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed for 1-2 game sessions.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Amal Shukup" data-source="post: 2181491" data-attributes="member: 6291">Well, the Binding Spells tend to be of the 'do this or else' variety... They're 'called' so they can be destroyed and threats to do so carry weight. Simply imprisoning them for a time (and there are spells/items that make that really possible) can be really inconvenient too. Plus good old abuse and torture... Bribes too (cash or things the critter might like - see below), but the big factor is the opposed Charisma Check (always thought it ought to be Diplomacy or Intimidate, myself - a skill that can be improved)How much of a bribe? Well, the Planar Ally spell gives approximate cash guidelines. Go from  there. In either case, whether bribing Bound critters or offering exchange to Allies, try to imagine who the critter is and what the critter might want: - An Angel might want wealth or services donated to a nearby church or worthy cause - A Devil might want you to sacrifice a captive, or destroy a holy object. Maybe all he wants is a free hour (on the caster's Plane) to take care of a little 'personal business' (law of unintended consequences might rear its ugly head there though, if the terms aren't well worked out). - Lots of beings want Information: a newly researched spell, say? Or the location of a vast treasure or key artifact... ...Or the reverse: a Devil whose name is too readily found by would be summoners in an Arcane Library might perform a service in exchange for that book being destroyed... - A Deva servant of a deity dedicated to art, song and poetry might perform a service - literally - for a song (perform Check DC 35 or better) or an original poem/song written as a gift... - A Fire Elemental might want the opportunity to set a really big fire... - One cool idea is to have 'Tokens' or 'Markers' that are associated with particular extraplanar creatures (symbolizing earlier debts these creatures owe). These could be purchased or found in ancient treasure hoards...  Identifying/using them would require research and/or appropriate Knowledge Checks. A summoner would collect these and exchange them for services from their owner (or their rivals...  Hmmn. That's fun...)Selecting critters for tasks they're suited for and are likely to enjoy helps keep costs down and negotiations short: A demon might agree to lay waste to a middle school just for the asking and a little flattery... Similarly an Angel - even a bound one - might agree to rescue a lost child or visit a deity's wrath upon an evildoer simply because it's the sort of thing Angels like to do...Planar 'Allies', like the name implies, can be ongoing NPCs or even friends: A PC in my party has an established and ongoing relationship with a Hound Archon servant of his deity. Initially there was an exchange of wealth (a surplus Magic greatsword for the Hound to use) in exchange for his help in a really tough battle. Later, after the Archon had died (calling spells have risks), the PC voluntarily footed the bill for a True Res (just before 3.5 made it really 'spensive) and basically got to write his own ticket thereafter. There have been other 'gifts' offered since - mostly buffing items, which REALLY serve the PC just as much: his Summon Monster V is now a whole LOT better (yielding a well-equipped Hound Archon...). They're basically friends now...A'Mal</blockquote>

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