I don't understand what the PFS specific question is here. This seems to be a general rules question regarding gate.
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The Gate spell: How does it work in PFS?
You drop the 10,000 gold in incense (or burn a Candle of Invocation for 8400 GP). You call out the kind of creature you want with an HD up to your own to control. The portal opens. Out pops the being and you let the portal close.
Let's take this a little bit at a time. As mentioned above, scrolls of 7th level and above (gate is 9th) are only available if you are of a level where a full prep caster could cast them. In other words you have to be at least 17th character level. PFS characters will only be that high if you are playing sanctioned modules or APs.
A candle of invocation would work for creating a gate. The caster level is 17.
We're also in the "really high level zone" which really means its up to the GM. Yes, we strive for consistency in PFS but when you're doing this kind of thing you're at a level where the GM is going to have to be making tons of rulings anyway.
How long do you get to control the creature for? Rounds per level? Hours per level?
From the wording of the second part of the spell, you can choose to make a more complicated or extended deal per lesser planar ally; but what is considered the standard arangement that is paid for by the casting and calling?
Now we're out of PFS and into the general question of "How does gate work?" I posted the full text of the "calling creatures" part of gate and the bargaining part of lesser planar ally in spoilers below.
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. Deities and unique beings cannot be controlled in any event. An uncontrolled being acts as it pleases, making the calling of such creatures rather dangerous. An uncontrolled being may return to its home plane at any time.
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
Basically you can think of gate as a combination of summon monster and planar ally but with no restrictions on creature type or hit dice. (There's a bit more to it, especially the risk to the creature, but that's not really a part of your question.)
If the creature is gated in specifically to help with the one fight you are currently in (and you have the caster level to control it or it chooses to help you for its own reasons) there is no additional payment required and it will act for you until the end of the fight (think rounds per level). If you set it a task that will take longer than a couple of minutes, it will require payment.
Like I said, a lot of this is going to be GM interpretation. This can be a very dangerous spell. It doesn't have the trapping potential of planar binding. If you gate in an evil outsider with more HD than your caster level, prepare to get beaten to a pulp or forced to agree to a particularly one-sided contract. (Or it might just decide to ignore you and immediately go back home.) If on the other hand you are fighting a swarm of demons and and gate in a solar angel, it's quite likely to say "Oh Yeah!" and light into them without a moment's hesitation.
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As mentioned above, scrolls of 7th level and above (gate is 9th) are only available if you are of a level where a full prep caster could cast them. In other words you have to be at least 17th character level.
I'm sorry, I'm a little confused here. Are you saying you couldn't buy a scroll for level 7, 8 or 9 spell unless you're the appropriate level to cast the spell? If so, could you cite the rule? Thanks!
Sammy, its in the field guide, under level restrictions i believe
Finally, scrolls of spells of 7th level or higher are not
permitted for characters below level 12 unless you gain access
to them on a Chronicle sheet that specifically lists them.
under the potion, wands and scrolls section
Any Seeker with sufficient Fame and experience can
purchase scrolls containing 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-level spells,
following the price guidelines in the Core Rulebook. Access
to these spells is restricted to scrolls and is not available
for spell-casting services. Upon reaching 13th level, Seekers are eligible to select spells or purchase 7th-level scrolls.
Upon reaching 15th level, they are eligible to select spells or
purchase 8th-level scrolls. Upon reaching 17th level, they are
eligible to select spells or purchase 9th-level scrolls.
there is a rule, regarding purchase... you do have to be 17th to obtain 9th level spells. That is in the beyond 11th level category.
correct that is what i just quoted.
yah, sometimes you have to remember one section and then reference another. Totally understand my man, and your welcome :)
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Yea man, I was disappointed at that seciton myself. My usual plan is purchase a scroll of Heal, Mass for those OH #@%#@!!! Moments.
But on to the question at hand.
When you use gate your essentially opening a two way portal to another plane. This as stated ahs two effects:
1. You can use it simply as an expensive Summon Monster.
2. You can speak to and bargain with an intelligent outsider for a service. This part is completely up to the GM as there is way to much in the planes for a ruling to be printed in any concise format. The outsider does act according to its alignment though. If you call up a CE Outsider and try to bargain, well its your funeral. Call up a LE Outsider, you can sign a contract, or have strict guidelines for it to follow and try to weasel out of. LG to kill a big evil baddy, it will probably go along with it. It all depends on alignment, because they are not controlled.
Also, keep in mind if you use #2, the creature is not dismissable. You have no ties to it whatsoever. Gate can be a gamble at best, a deadly mistake at worst, a disintigratingly, deadly, soul stealing mistake at absolute worst.
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more complicated or extended deal per lesser planar ally; but what is considered the standard arangement that is paid for by the casting and calling?Any deal you make ends at the end of a scenario.
Pretty much. The same will apply to any uses of planar ally and planar binding, not to mention stuff like animate dead. The expenses coupled with PFS's limited available wealth make them unwise to utilize most of the time. Animate dead is kind of a semi-exception if you grab blood money and a reservoir of physical health.