Summon Monster VII

[tog]

So I'm reading Greyhawk the other night, and I come to the realization that, while the lesser levels of Summon Monster just refer one back to the Wandering Monster lists, S.M. VII gives a small list of ideas for what to summon... including, of all things, a 15th Level Thief.

Which causes me to wonder - who is this guy? Does he have a name? Where did he come from? Would he have any sense of self? (And what's a M-U who can cast Summon VII need with a 15th Level Thief, anyway?) Just where do Summoned monsters come from, anyway? The vasty deeps?

[talysman]

That's got to be highly variable. For example, I rule that Monster Summoning creates monsters out of nothing, and that occasionally they don't disappear when the duration expires... which is the source of all monsters in my world.

[aldarron]

I've always thought summon monster was a dumb spell for this very reason. Its one thing to summon an invisible stalker or a demon or a hoard of insects, but poof here's a centaur and she will serve you robotically with out so much as a "what the hell???" just seemed to fake to me to allow it in play. <shrug>

[jcstephens]

Maybe that 15th level thief read a cursed scroll: "Next time someone casts Summon Monster, YOU'RE IT." Imagine getting something like that, and having to wait for it.

[Deleted]

Maybe the thief is summoned from the Afterlife and gladly serves for a few more minutes among mortals ...

[Azafuse]

Mar 17, 2013 1:54:56 GMT -6 aldarron said:

but poof here's a centaur and she will serve you robotically with out so much as a "what the hell???" just seemed to fake to me to allow it in play. <shrug>

Maybe you've simply saved the centaur from a fat bottomed centaur wife with beaver teeth asking him where he has been the last night.. making him happy and glad to serve you.

[cleverkobold]

Mar 13, 2013 21:22:00 GMT -6 tog said:

Which causes me to wonder - who is this guy?

Karl Kwickfingers chuckled to himself, "So this latest guy was a real trip."

"Do tell" replied Orz, "It's not often that a job amuses you like this. Not since the Oubliette of Olfactory Orisions." he added with a sly smile."

Karl smirked, "I still haven't washed all that stink out of my trick bag." He shook his head in mock disarray. "But. This new guy, Fraquazzor Fru-Farnilfoffen."

"That's a mouthful." Orz popped the tab on a can of beer.

"I'll say. 'Fraqqy' summons me in the middle of this steaming subterranean sauna. A literal sauna, there were sweaty people lounging all around."

"What?"

"Yeah. So, apparently, lockers are rented out at this particular establishment for people to store their belongings while they use the saunas. 'Fraqqy' had forgotten the combination to his, and needed me to retrieve his robes."

A jet of beer shot from Orz's nose as he clutched his side howling with laughter. "Gods man, how can you put up with all this?"

"Hey, It's a living." Karl replied.

"Yeah, I guess, but why does it have to be you?" Orz drained the rest of his beer.

"Cause I'm the best, you think the agency could trust some two bit pickpocket with what I do. I know it's mostly silly crap like this that I'm summoned for, but there is good deal of legitimate and challenging work to be done." A faint glow emanated from beneath Karl's shirt, he reached for it and pulled forth a gleaming jewel amulet. "Speaking of which, lets hope this will be some." The faint glow of the jewel quickly grew to a blinding flash, and when Orz regained his senses, Karl was gone.

Orz crumpled his can and swished it into the trash can.

[tog]

Mar 17, 2013 16:58:11 GMT -6 cleverkobold said:

Mar 13, 2013 21:22:00 GMT -6 tog said:

Which causes me to wonder - who is this guy?

Karl Kwickfingers chuckled to himself, "So this latest guy was a real trip."

Okay, that's worthy of an Exalt.

However, on thinking about it, summoning mooks from the vasty depths to do your serving is a classic fantasy trope, and something I've decided not to fret unduly over.

After all, that Fighting Man or Magic-User you summon isn't there for clever conversation; they've been summoned to put the hurt on someone. (Of course, now I'm thinking of something like Summon Courtesan, which would possibly involve clever conversation... so what level would a courtesan be, anyway?)