Skills for Summoned Creatures

[AuraSeer]

If a summoned creature has a choice of skills, does the summoner get to make that choice?

For instance, the Djinni statblock says "Craft (any one) +11", so each individual has a different Craft skill. When I cast summon monster VII to bring up a djinni, can I specify that I get one with Craft (bowmaking) or whatever?

 

[Hypersmurf]

For instance, the Djinni statblock says "Craft (any one) +11", so each individual has a different Craft skill. When I cast summon monster VII to bring up a djinni, can I specify that I get one with Craft (bowmaking) or whatever?

How much bowmaking do you expect him to do in under two minutes?

-Hyp.

 

[Nareau]

I don't believe the core rules address this specific question. However, check out the DMG p 96, Variant: Summoning individual monsters for a place to start.

As a DM, I would have the player do some research or make an appropriate check (like Knowlege (Religion)) to see if they can find the name of a legendary bow-making Djinn. I'd ask the player to come up with some details about the creature (maybe a story or two about how it made Ehlonna's bow or something).

If they didn't want to go to the trouble, I would probably arbitrarily decide what skills the creature had on the fly.

 

[AuraSeer]

Re: Re: Skills for Summoned Creatures

How much bowmaking do you expect him to do in under two minutes?

Probably just enough, since Djinni get major creation once per day, at 20th caster level. Created vegetable matter is permanent, and even the more durable materials will last for a decent while if necessary.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Re: Re: Re: Skills for Summoned Creatures

Probably just enough, since Djinni get major creation.

Ah.

Cute

-Hyp.

 

[Mahali]

Isn't there a nasty line that says when summoned creatures go away so does their effects?

This got a big mention when sommone mentioned lantern archons(?) that can cast continual flame.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I believe it's something like the duration of all their spells expires (unless they've expired already).

The duration of Major Creation is See Text, and in the case of the Genie, it specifically overrides this with "created vegetable matter is permanent".

Unfortunately, Permanent, as a duration, is not the same as instantaneous, so yeah, the Creation will vanish when the Genie does.

It also means that Genie-created vegetable matter is subject to Dispel Magic and AMFs.

-Hyp.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

There's always the Planar Ally spells. Though that genie'll probably marvel building-blocks when he hears that he's been summoned to make a bow.

 

[AuraSeer]

Aw crud, you guys are right. The FAQ says that when a summoned creature goes away, so do all magic effects it generated.

My DM will be happy to hear this. He probably would have preferred to find it out a couple weeks ago, when I summoned a djinni to cast wind walk on the whole party. Travelling for 20 hours at 60 mph was a great shortcut for us, but I think he wanted more prep time before the next battle.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

A bad DM needs more prep time. A good DM is prepared for such trivialities as players finding a shortcut (a bad DM will give the characters no chance to get one, even if there should be: It's just dumb if there's not a single wizard in all Waterdeep that could teleport you somewhere, for the right price.....)