Planar Binding: calling a creature with class levels is possible ?

[shea83]

Hi, i was posting a thread about advices with powerful creature to bind with this spell while i got a reply that opened a rule question.
I decide to bind for example a Succubus (8 HD).
I also know that "some" Succubus can decide to acquire class levels instead of transforming in another kind of Demon (when they acquire power and experience).

If I know the exact name of a Succubus (for example) with 4 sorcerer levels , i know i can bind her cause it's 12 HD.
Question is :
If I DON'T KNOW the exact name of such Succubus, can I ask completing the spell to bind a Succubus with 12 HD ? (even if I can't choose WHICH CLASS LVL she has?) Or can I even ask for a Succubus with 4 lvl sorcerer ? Or it's a CASUAL succubus so DM should roll a % dice for determining if it's a normal 8HD succubus or an "improved" one ?

Thank you for answers!

["Phos"]

Hmm, I don't see anything specific in the rules against it, but as a GM, I would rule that unless you know the true name of the specific succubus, it wouldn't be possible. Of course, the acquiring of said name(s) can make for some exciting adventures, or at least sub-adventures.

[Remco Sommeling]

shea83 wrote:

Hi, i was posting a thread about advices with powerful creature to bind with this spell while i got a reply that opened a rule question.

I decide to bind for example a Succubus (8 HD).
I also know that "some" Succubus can decide to acquire class levels instead of transforming in another kind of Demon (when they acquire power and experience).

If I know the exact name of a Succubus (for example) with 4 sorcerer levels , i know i can bind her cause it's 12 HD.
Question is :
If I DON'T KNOW the exact name of such Succubus, can I ask completing the spell to bind a Succubus with 12 HD ? (even if I can't choose WHICH CLASS LVL she has?) Or can I even ask for a Succubus with 4 lvl sorcerer ? Or it's a CASUAL succubus so DM should roll a % dice for determining if it's a normal 8HD succubus or an "improved" one ?

Thank you for answers!

It is what DMs are for, in this case I'd say you should be able to research it, you could summon a demon perhaps to give you the name of another demon you could summon in exchange for release from the spell.

[Endarire]

By the rules, you can call any creature of the appropriate type and hit dice. This means advanced creatures, templated creatures, or/and creatures with levels.

You can use other Divinations to determine likely candidates for your Succubus Sorcerer (Sorceress?).

[james maissen]

shea83 wrote:

Question is :
If I DON'T KNOW the exact name of such Succubus, can I ask completing the spell to bind a Succubus with 12 HD ? (even if I can't choose WHICH CLASS LVL she has?) Or can I even ask for a Succubus with 4 lvl sorcerer ? Or it's a CASUAL succubus so DM should roll a % dice for determining if it's a normal 8HD succubus or an "improved" one ?

Thank you for answers!

No. No. No. No. In that order.

Bottom line is that if you want something beyond the 'normal' critter then you need to research and try to find specific names, which demons/et al guard for this very reason.

-James

[LazarX]

Just remember a demon with class levels is that much more powerful. The more powerful they are... the more beings that have an interest in keeping tabs on them. Which means the incidental risk factor goes up considerably.