Demon and devil teleports


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


Why do all the demons and devils with teleport as an SL say they can only bring 50 pounds of stuff with them? I'm guessing so they can't try to kidnap PCs using teleport (though gnomes are usually under 50 pounds, could they kidnap one?)


No idea why they (the designers) decided on 50 lbs. And no they can't use it to kidnap PC's (or anyone else) as it requires a 'touched willing creature'. Of course Demons and Devils are often prone to subterfuge so maybe if the PC was willing via some other ability or skill prior.


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Some of it's continuity with previous versions of D&D/AD&D. Mostly, it's probably to prevent using summoned outsiders as an easy transport method, I think.


Does teleport normally allow you to take as much stuff as you can carry/ fit in your backpack.


Yes. Everyone being teleported may carry up to their maximum load.


If I remember correctly, the Bar-Igura demons in the Savage Tide (3.5) adventure path used their teleports to abduct the NPC gnome. Is this a violation of the rules? It was a pretty cool scene. I never gave it a second thought when I ran it.

Apologies for the digression.


If you could summon something that can cast teleport an unlimited times per day, somebody would use it to move a lot of stuff around. Limiting demons and devils to 50 lbs is to prevent them from becoming a cheap teleportation mule.


To answer the OP, as others have said, it's a hold-over from old D&D lore about the demons and devils.

The first demon monster entry appeared in Eldritch Wizardry by Gary Gygax in 1976, the 3rd supplement for the original Dungeons and Dragons box set from 1974.

From the entry on page 29, all demons gained the following abilities:
•Infravision
•The ability to teleport (no chance of error)
•cause darkness (in varying degree of effectiveness)
•and open a "gate" (varying degree of success according to type)

Monster Manual I for AD&D 1st edition by Gary Gygax in 1977 gave us the addition of devils, as well much of the basic planar lore we continue to see used today.

From the entry on page 20, all devils gained the following abilities:
•Charm Person
•Suggestion
•Illusion
•Infravision
•Teleportation (No Error)
•Know Alignment
•Cause Fear
•Animate Dead

Ever since original D&D demons (and later, devils) featured teleportation. Pathfinder developed from 3rd edition, the edition which added the 50 lbs. limit on transported items. As for the question of why they can teleport in the first place, you'd have needed to ask Gary Gygax, but he sadly passed away in 2008.

Meirril wrote:
If you could summon something that can cast teleport an unlimited times per day, somebody would use it to move a lot of stuff around. Limiting demons and devils to 50 lbs is to prevent them from becoming a cheap teleportation mule.

Note that the text of the Summon Monster spell says the following:

"A summoned monster cannot summon or otherwise conjure another creature, nor can it use any teleportation or planar travel abilities."

You'd have to use a calling spell like Planar Ally or Planar Binding to conjure up an outsider that can teleport stuff for you. Summon Monster versions can't use these abilities.


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Also, if you accept 'official' modules as canonical lore, then there is a 2nd edition Planescape adventure which explains the fluff behind the abilities of demons and devils to teleport at will.

Spoiler:
In the Squaring the Circle adventure on page 39 of the War Games book in the Hellbound, the Blood War box set by Colin McComb published by TSR in 1996, the yugoloth gave the gift of teleportation to devils and demons through a massive creature known as Maeldur Et Kavurik.

The Maeldur is the living focus of a teleportational matrix that can open paths through reality for any creature whose name it knows if they subconsciously focus on their destination. The yugoloth constantly whisper the names of every created demon and devil to this creature, granting them the ability to teleport at will.

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