Trying to understand the Gate spell, specifically its use for summoning creatures. The relevent portion of the spell reads as follows:
If you choose to call a kind of creature instead of a known individual, you may call either a single creature or several creatures. In either case, their total HD cannot exceed twice your caster level. In the case of a single creature, you can control it if its HD does not exceed your caster level. A creature with more HD than your caster level can't be controlled.
So let's say that I'm a 20th level Wizard and I use this spell. The wording seems to suggest that I can call multiple creatures of a particular type up to 40 HD's worth, and so long as none of them are more than 20 HD individually, they are all under my control. Is that a correct interpretation?
Now, the spell's duration is 1 round/level - is that the period of time the summoned creatures remain on this plane and are subject to my will? The spell states that the Gate closes as soon as the creatures are summoned, which makes me think that the listed duration is more for when the spell is being used for planar travel, and that the summoning function is permanent since the creatures are physically here with no means of returning to their planes of existence.
The next part of the spell states:
If you choose to exact a longer or more involved form of service from a called creature, you must offer some fair trade in return for that service. The service exacted must be reasonable with respect to the promised favor or reward; see the lesser planar ally spell for appropriate rewards. Some creatures may want their payment in "livestock" rather than in coin, which could involve complications. Immediately upon completion of the service, the being is transported to your vicinity, and you must then and there turn over the promised reward. After this is done, the creature is instantly freed to return to its own plane.
Now, is this relevant only to creatures of greater than 20 HD and therefor beyond my direct control, or is this a means of keeping the sumoned creature(s) here longer than the listed duration of the spell?
In the case of Summoners, is the duration extended to 20 minutes rather than 20 rounds as all of the other Summon spells are?
Finally, are creatures 'called' rather than 'summoned' freed from the restrictions of summoned creatures when it comes to things like summoning creatures themselves or being able to Teleport?
First.... get rid of the "Summon" in every part of your post. Gate spells are of Calling subtype, not the Summon subtype. The Gate spell duration itself is the duration in which the portal connection between planes remains open. Normally without bargaining that's also how long that a creature you call up by gating will stay assuming it falls within your limits to control. If you want anything more than that... then bargaining comes into play.
So what do you think this part of the spell's description means then:
This use of the spell creates a gate that remains open just long enough to transport the called creatures.
Also, am I correct in my interpretation that multiple creatures can be called and controlled up to 40 HD's worth, provided none are more than 20 HD individually at 20th level?
If you call multiple creatures, they are all uncontrolled. If you call a single creature, you can control it if its HD does not exceed your caster level. On the plus side, gate has a medium range so you can call up a group of demons behind your enemy and they will probably attack the closest thing (being demons and all, that's usually their M.O.). They may just stick around and try to kill you afterwards, however, so caveat emptor. Nothing limits the duration that uncontrolled called creatures may remain on the material plane, and they can do what they want or return home at any time.
If you compare gate to other conjuration (calling) spells like the planar ally spell chain, the secondary use of calling an outsider is an instantaneous effect. The concentration (1 round/lvl max) duration is definitely for how long you can hold the gate open.
However, it's not clear how long you can control the called creature. I would guess you can request an immediate short-term service from it, such as, "kind sir Mr. Pit Fiend, per the terms of 10,000gp offering I used to gate you here, please crush those punks over yonder who looked at me crossways." Anything longer than immediate combat would require you to negotiate with the creature per the planar ally rules.
Yeah, the "control" aspect is super-vague and requires GM adjudication. I'd probably give you a dominate monster effect on it for 1 round/level, after which it's either sent home or released from control (possibly for negotiation).
Yeah, the "control" aspect is super-vague and requires GM adjudication. I'd probably give you a dominate monster effect on it for 1 round/level, after which it's either sent home or released from control (possibly for negotiation).
I think that would be a good approach, with the caster in question having the choice at the end of the spell's duration to decide which.
Heh - this means that a decently built Master Summoner at 20th level could (theoretically) summon as many as 20 Pit Fiends a day, 1 per round, each remaining for as long as 20 minutes each.
A Pit Fiend can do a lot of damage in 20 minutes. Of course, it (or they) might resent being summoned to do a mortal's bidding...
A guide to the in's and out's of conjuring, summoning, and gateing system is in order me thinks.
Especially for the under Edjumicated. likes mee.
A Pit Fiend can do a lot of damage in 20 minutes. Of course, it (or they) might resent being summoned to do a mortal's bidding...
Well, technically the wording of the summon monster ability extends the duration when it's mimicking summon monster spells. An argument could be made that doesn't help with gate. (Not one that I agree with, but then again I think the non-instantaneous duration only applies to holding open a gate as a portal.)
Also consider the fact that nothing says a called creature goes home when your control ends. I could picture spam-gated pit fiends wanting to hang around and play a friendly game of, "let's LARP the movie Seven," with the master summoner.
A decently built Master Summoner Could Drop 200,000 in 20 rounds calling up 20 pit fiends once a round.
Spell-like abilities don't have material components, so summoners that reach 19th level can use their summon monster ability to gate at no upfront cost. They'd still have to pay something (or someone) to bargain with outsiders.
yeah, they do actually. Its specifically called out that they still have to pay for gate.
At 19th level, this ability can be used as gate or summon monster IX. If used as gate, the summoner must pay any required material components.
Ahh, thanks. I never noticed that before.