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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SteveC" data-source="post: 3164689" data-attributes="member: 9053">Here's how I would handle this. When the character summons the efreet, I'd have it appear with great reverance. When asked to provide three wishes "or else!" Here's what I'd have it say:"Nope, sorry, doesn't work that way. Here's the deal, and by giving you a rundown on how this works, I'm giving you something for free. This is the last time that will happen: everything else you ask of me comes with a price.So you're right, you have the power to kill me here and now. By being able to summon and bind me this effectively, that's self-evidently true.However, if you do that, many people you're close to and hold dear will die. My fellow efreeti will retaliate against those who are closest to you, and, quite obviously, least able to protect themselves. If you try this again, they'll come after you. Not directly, mind you, but sideways. By that I mean, from the looks of you, all of you need to sleep and take care of other...mortal functions, shall we say. You'll die in a very embaressing and painful way.But I see you're starting to get upset, so allow me to explain the why of all of this. You see, you're not the first person to think of this. In fact, just about everyone knows the legends of our kind and how we grant wishes to mortals. When that kind of information gets out, everyone wants to get in on the act. Wealth? Powerful magic? Just for the asking? Everybody wants to sign up for that deal. Everybody that includes people who are your enemies at the moment I might point out. You think that "evil overlord" you're looking for didn't think of summoning me to give him just the same sort of help? Well he did--they all do.So the thing is, if we didn't get together and protect ourselves as a group, we'd just be answering summons for wishes all day long. More than that, some people who are able to summon us aren't as nice as you are. I mean you actually gave me the choice of helping you out without actually trying to kill me first! Many people we deal with, both on your plane and on others, aren't so nice. So that's why we act this way: out of self preservation and protection.So here's the deal: I can offer you wishes, advice, guidance...you name it. The thing is, it comes with a price. If I don't charge you that price, even if I happen to like you, I get into very serious trouble with the powers that be. How do you think that some of us happen to end up in lamps for hundreds of years?So if you're interested in my help, tell me what you want and I'll give you the price list. If you can meet the price, well, we can do business. Heck, I can even throw in a way for you to get in touch with me for free if you become a good enough customer. What's it going to be?"The ball's in their court at that point. If you think about it, this is the only real reason why creatures who can grant wishes aren't all locked up in the BBEG's tower making him impossible to kill...--Steve</blockquote>

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