Summoning Shadows

[Midnight_Angel]

The darkness Domain contains a Summon Monster spell entry, limited to calling 1d3 shadows.

Prize question, do these keep their usual alignment (CE), thus causing a (hypothetical) LE Kuthite to summon something way apart from their alignment (ususally summoning chaotic creatures would carry the [chaotic] descriptor), or will the shadows have an alignment matching the caster's, as most summoned non-outsiders have by definition of the spell?

(Since the shadow called by a Shadowdancer also matches its master's alignment, I think this should be possible here as well)

[Darthnny]

The summon monster I spell touches on alignment.

“When you use a summoning spell to summon a creature with an alignment or elemental subtype, it is a spell of that type. “ (Pathfinder core rulebook, pg 352)

It then specifically calls out certain creatures who’s alignment changes from the summoning.

I would rule that the shadows have a CE alignment. And that it is up to the LE character to keep them in check less he displease his god. In most cases the Evil/Good portion of an alignment trumps the Lawful/Chaotic portion.

[bradipus]

Darthnny wrote:

The summon monster I spell touches on alignment.

“When you use a summoning spell to summon a creature with an alignment or elemental subtype, it is a spell of that type. “ (Pathfinder core rulebook, pg 352)

It then specifically calls out certain creatures who’s alignment changes from the summoning.

I would rule that the shadows have a CE alignment. And that it is up to the LE character to keep them in check less he displease his god. In most cases the Evil/Good portion of an alignment trumps the Lawful/Chaotic portion.

How can He displease his God if it's the God him/herself that grants him/her that spell?

Moreover it's a domain spell, so it's part of the portfolio of that deity and not an universal one.
I don' think given those premised that it would be possible to displease that god by using that "summon shadows" that spell.

[Ambrus]

Darthnny wrote:

“When you use a summoning spell to summon a creature with an alignment or elemental subtype, it is a spell of that type. “ (Pathfinder core rulebook, pg 352)

Shadows don't have an alignment subtype, so summoning shadows doesn't grant the spell either an [evil] or [chaotic] subtype.

The Bestiary further indicates that the alignment entry for creatures doesn't mean that all such creatures hold the listed alignment; only the majority do so. There are exceptions; which would explain the origin of the non-chaotic-evil shadows a shadow dancer can attract. It seems likely to me that either the deity who grants the spell or the caster could possibly summon shadows of a different alignment if desired. My ¢2.

[Monkplayer]

I'm assuming that a Shadow Dance summoning their shadow for the very first time is a standard action?