[SeanKReynolds] Gingwatzim in Dragon #295 Question

[Iron_Chef]

Hi,

In the Living Greyhawk Journal in Dragon #295, Sean K Reynolds wrote about a race of Ethereal Planar creatures called gingwatzim that could be summoned and bound into items or material form as guardians or servants via sumon monster spells (II, III, IV and V depending on the gingwatzim's power, there being five different types). My question is, how long does this binding last? The normal duration of the appropriate summon monster spell used to bring them to the material plane, or until the gingwatzim is hit by a dispel magic (and thus possibly permanent)?

When a gingwatzim asumes the form of a creature, is this a form of the caster's choosing, the creature's choosing or is the gingwatzim bound into the body of a preexisting creature determined by the summoner?

My main confusion springs from the fact that Sean seems to use "summoning" and "calling" interchangeably in his article and these are two very different things, according to the PHB. Example: Under "Alternate Forms" he writes: "Conjured gingwatzims are assigned two additional forms by the magic of the spell that CALLS them." [emphasis mine]

If they are brought forth by a summon monster spell, rather than one of the planar ally spells, shouldn't they be limited to duration of the summoning spell? But if they were brought forth by a calling spell, such as the planar ally ones, then the binding could be permanent. However, Sean's article seems to imply that the summon monster spell is sufficient to bind the gingwatzim permanently to the material plane in object or creature form, at least until it is hit with dispel magic. If this is the case, then couldn't other outsiders such as demons or devils or elementals be subject to similar bindings, all using the summon monster spells? This greatly increases the effectiveness, desirability and utility of the summon monster spells (a good thing, IMO).

Anybody familiar with this article (especially Sean) have any thoughts on this? I have conjurer PC who wants to summon these things up and the article seems to support a possible unlimited duration for them to stay on the Prime...

 

[Alzrius]

Shouldn't this go in the D&D Rules forum?

 

[Sagan Darkside]

Shouldn't this go in the D&D Rules forum?

report it to a moderator

SD

 

[Paladin]

Iron_Chef - Sean has his own site and message boards, you'd probably have a MUCH greater chance of getting him to answer you over there. Here is the link.

 

[Iron_Chef]

Iron_Chef - Sean has his own site and message boards, you'd probably have a MUCH greater chance of getting him to answer you over there. Here is the link.

Thanks. He emailed me back very quickly and said the spell needed to conjure gingwatzim was "polymorphic ethereal slave" and it was in the article---but of course, it wasn't, LOL, just the sidebar about using summon monster to do it. So I'm waiting for him to send me this "polymorphic ethereal slave" spell. D'OH!

 

[Iron_Chef]

I'll post the spell here when he emails it to me, in case anyone else is interested.

The concept of calling and binding creatures into material form as objects or creatures is an exciting one that opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for conjurers. I'm so excited, even though I'm not fond of the name "gingwatzim" LOL, but the idea is so cool I'd like to apply it to other types of outsiders and elementals, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

This kind of spell is missing from the core rules entirely (I suppose you could use a planar ally or , and from practically all d20 products. I can only think of the Binder PrC from MGP's Demonology, and the Demon Binding Rules (too hard to implement) from Chaosium's Dragon Lords of Melnibone (which were awful and too hard to implement, and much too costly to the caster).

 

[Iron_Chef]

Sean wrote me back with the details of the spell needed to summon gingwatzim (he didn't know the spell hadn't been printed in Dragon). It will be up on his site soon he says but I'll go ahead and post it here as well for anyone interested.

Polymorphic Ethereal Slave

Conjuration (Calling) [Air] (see text)
Level: Sor/Wiz 7
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) (see text)
Target: One gingwatzim of up to 8 HD
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

The first part of this spell attempts to lure a gingwatzim from another
plane to a specifically prepared trap, which must lie within the spell’s
range. The called creature is caught in the trap, after which a duel of
wills occurs to determine if it will obey you.
To create the trap, you must use a magic circle spell, focused
inward. The type of gingwatzim to be bound must be known and stated. If
it has a specific, proper, or given name, this must be used in casting
the spell.
The target creature must attempt a Will saving throw. If the saving
throw succeeds, the creature resists the spell and is not drawn from the
Ethereal Plane. If the saving throw fails, the creature is immediately
drawn to the trap (spell resistance does not keep the creature from
being called). The creature can escape from the trap with a successful
SR roll, dimensional travel, or a successful Charisma check (DC 15 + 1/2
the caster’s level + the caster’s Charisma modifier). If it breaks
loose, it can flee or attack you. A dimensional anchor cast on the
creature prevents its escape via dimensional travel. You can also employ
a calling diagram (see the PLAYER’S HANDBOOK section on Calling, page
157) to make the trap more secure. If the creature does not break free
of the trap, it is forced to serve you, and the second part of the spell
activates.
The second part of the spell allows you to shape the alternate
forms of the conjured creature. Select an animate form and an object
form for it according to the type of gingwatzim called. For example, a
pakim gingwatzim could be given a cat form and a +1 dagger form. You may
order the creature to remain in one form at all times, allowing you to
use it as a magic item.
The creature can attempt another saving throw against the spell
every week to break free of your control. If it breaks free, it can
return to the Ethereal Plane at any time as a standard action, although
it is likely to try to kill you before doing so.
When you use a summoning spell to summon an air, chaotic, evil,
good, or lawful creature, it is a spell of that type. For example, if
this spell is used to summon a neutral evil naranzim, it is an evil and
air spell.
Material Component: Incense, powdered iron, and onyx dust. The
value of the onyx dust depends upon what sort of creature is being
called: pakim, 2,000; graegzim, 3,000; eoluzim, 8,000; maronzim, 12,000;
naranzim, 18,000.