How May Demons Use Their Powers?

[oakesspalding]

In Eldritch Wizardry and, later, the Monster Manual, Demons are granted various powers similar to spells or the use of magical items. It is stated that some of these may be used "at will" or "one at a time, at will". What does this mean? Presumably one thing it means is that they're easier to use than, say, if a Magic-User were casting the equivalent spell. But how much easier?

I've never met or run a Demon in D&D but I'm putting together some new material for Seven Voyages of Zylarthen so I'm now thinking about this question for the first time.

Here are some possible meanings, perhaps varying according to the spell or power.

1) It's always "on" (Infravision or perhaps the "Detect X" powers).

2) You can use multiple powers within a round at any time, even while engaged in melee, but they can't be used simultaneously. (This this interpretation seems unlikely since if you can use multiple powers in the same round, the "one at a time" proviso would in practice collapse.)

3) You can use a power at any time during a round, even while engaged in melee, as long as you only use one power per round.

4) You can use a power when someone on your side would be casting a spell, but even while engaged in melee, as long as you use only one power per round.

5) There are no limits on powers as there might be for Magic-Users with spell slots but you can't use them during melee.

For 2), 3), 4) and 5) can you use a power in one round and then use another power in the next round even while the first power is still functioning? For example, can you Levitate and then in the next round Cause Fear from a levitated position?

And so on.

In my opinion, Eldritch Wizardry confuses things by taking the same power--for example, "telekinese x gold piece weight"--and using different language on how it may be used for four different Demons--"as desired," "at will," "at will, one at a time" and "once per turn."

If I'm not dense and there are ambiguities here, the retro-clones I've checked that use demons do not seem to clear them up (I looked at OSRIC and Labyrinth Lord).

Any ideas?

[howandwhy99]

My interpretation:

Human magic is limited to intense study and practice and intelligence. Number of spells per day and highest spell-casting level possible are limits on their magic. But they are Unlimited in their capacity to learn magic as spells. Anything is possible as a spell within their spell level limit, which can be advanced. And any number of magics may be learned.

Many magical creatures simply have innate, unstudied magical abilities, not spell casting. They are always in effect or intentionally performed. They are not limited per day, but they cannot be changed or swapped out for something else either.

To me, "at will" means unlimited ability to perform the magic, but it probably requires intentional use if not always in effect. And then only one effwct per round like spellcasting. Unless otherwise stated.

I believe magical study for adventuring M-Us is partially abstracted into observation of magics in the world. Like magical creatures using magical powers.

[Deleted]

I believe the distinction is that Demons don't have to prepare their spell-like abilities and aren't limited in their "ammunition" like spell-using mortals are. Because they're demons. Presumably, the Lawful equivalent would behave similarly. (Angels, perhaps) Like howandwhy99 suggested, though, these creatures are inflexible and limited in what they can know. They have strengths and weaknesses compared to the likes of Mages and Clerics in that regard.

[hamurai]

Feb 22, 2021 23:50:56 GMT -6 oakesspalding said:

1) It's always "on" (Infravision or perhaps the "Detect X" powers).

4) You can use a power when someone on your side would be casting a spell, but even while engaged in melee, as long as you use only one power per round.

5) There are no limits on powers as there might be for Magic-Users with spell slots [..]

That's how I usually run it.

Some powers are always "on" - it just doesn't make sense to me that a demon would have to concentrate to gain Infravision. These powers don't count against the limit if one power per round.

When it's the demon's turn it can use a power from its list.

Demons don't have spell slots. "At will" and "as desired" don't sound like anything that would be limited by spell slots. Demons draw their power from the Hells themselves, and there's effectively an unlimited power source. Using these abilities is as simple as writing a single letter on paper for a mortal - it does take a little concentration, but it's quick and easy.

When it comes to powers which can be maintained like levitation or fear, I tend to make it count towards the limit of one power per round. Otherwise they'd effectively be "always on", which may easily "break the game" - the major reason for me to limit these powers, however, is that I'd have to keep record of all active powers which is too much book-keeping for the games I tend to play. To maintain a power, it has to be used again in the following round(s).

[doublejig2]

Gating in the thrasher, demonic patron of evil clowns and any subsequent nightmares they cause!

[barna10]

Besides not needing to speak or gesture, I treat spell-like abilities as spells. In other words, you can use one per round, they have durations, effects by level, etc.

So, for the levitation example, the demon could use levitate one round, and it would persist for however long levitate lasts. The next round the demon can use another spell-like ability while still levitating, just like a M-U could cast another spell the next round while still levitating.

This approach leads to less mental gymnastics. If an ability doesn't approximate to a spell, I wing it regarding duration, AOE, etc., but still have operate as a spell.