Summong Tables

[Kunoichi]

I was poking around today thinking of things that would be awesome but likely never looked at twice. While summoning a critter for Osclow and explaining what it was to him IC, I thought it'd be an interesting idea to have summon tables as per PnP note.

For instance, when cast the Summon Creature/Monster spell would open a dialog with choices (similar to Sending) of various creatures that spell level could call. Of course the PnP lists are extensive, but I'm certain that can be compensated as everyone who designs stuff here seems to be quite competent.

The lists have a lot of strange and obscure things that aren't in the game or would be rather useless, but they can easily be swapped for things that are readily available. As example, this would be the 1st level monster summoning table from PnP:

[ Pulled from the DnD Wiki. ]

dog LG
owl LG
giant fire beetle NG
porpoise1 NG
badger CG
monkey CG
dire rat LE
raven LE
monstrous centipede, Medium NE
monstrous scorpion, Small NE
hawk CE
monstrous spider, Small CE
octopus1 CE
snake, Small viper CE

[Lollercide]

I like the idea of having more variety and a little 'unf' to the summon creature tables.. Can't say I know how feasible it'd be to implement, but assuming that it is, I'd love it.

Especially if there was a way to bind the creatures you're capable of summoning to your PC's alignment, or something like that. To reflect on the character better.

[Silas North]

*is an inspiration to good ideas*

......*in his own world*

[Dark presence]

Its not a great idea if you want to hide your alignment. People do like to hate evil still. And no one can summon undead here without some real problems coming from it already, so I'd rather not see yet more summons made unusable at the risk of endless IC flak for it.

It might be a decent idea if any creature was summonable by any alignment, but then if it matched your alignment you could get a bonus to its stats (+2 str, dex, con?).

[Kunoichi]

If it's a bad idea because of alignment and others hating evil, then I suppose it'd be a bad idea to play an evil character. Hohohoho...

As far as summoning goes most people IC don't know the difference between an imp[evil] and a mephit[neutral]. I'm sure no one is going to smite someone's evil ass when they summon a raven[LE], instantly certain they're a deviant. Or a hawk[CE], because everyone is of course dually educated that both creatures are evil, and that owls and dogs are good! I don't see people getting their asses stomped over dire wolves and dire bears, and those look rather scary. As hell.

If there is an alignment problem associated with someone who cannot Detect Alignment, they're clearly metagaming their heads off and need a good stomping. Unless of course all these critters in the wild are just naturally horrible... then I'd expect to see Hano questing and rallying to slaughter the inanely foul ravens/hawks of his beloved land. However, further on the list you have some distinctly celestial/fiendish critters that'd make a difference, and anyone summoning anything already gets a raised brow as it is.

It might be a decent idea if any creature was summonable by any alignment, but then if it matched your alignment you could get a bonus to its stats (+2 str, dex, con?).

I'd totally be for that as it'd increase the list, and you wouldn't have to worry about people going out of their way to metagame at you and smite you. Just not the stat bonuses as then people would likely only choose what they could to get a buff from it to grind or something else. Summoning on its own is rather powerful as-is.

[sharringtonm]

Good suggestion. Remind me of this next time I start work on Custom Content again.
(I'll announce I'm doing custom content, thats when to remind me)

[Kunoichi]

Okie doke.

If you want or need me I'd be glad to poke around with some tests should they be available. I'm fairly good with balance issues, but I trust that you are indeed the man, and will not need my PnP counsel.

HUA~!

[Llew Hy]

I want a Monkey summon.

I'll put a cowboy hat on him and teach him to ride a Saint Bernard.

[Kunoichi]

I want a Monkey summon.

I'll put a cowboy hat on him and teach him to ride a Saint Bernard.

I love you.

[Dark presence]

If it's a bad idea because of alignment and others hating evil, then I suppose it'd be a bad idea to play an evil character. Hohohoho...

As far as summoning goes most people IC don't know the difference between an imp[evil] and a mephit[neutral]. I'm sure no one is going to smite someone's evil ass when they summon a raven[LE], instantly certain they're a deviant. Or a hawk[CE], because everyone is of course dually educated that both creatures are evil, and that owls and dogs are good! I don't see people getting their asses stomped over dire wolves and dire bears, and those look rather scary. As hell.

Well the thing is, fiendish and celestial creatures are supposed to be noticeable. They are not the same ravens or hawks you find in the woods, because animals have no alignment. These are ravens and hawks from the outer planes, and they are supposed to look the part, to the point of being obvious. If you see a bear with gold colored fur, maybe glowing a bit, its probably a celestial bear. If you see a hawk with razor sharp spikes along its back and bloody talons and feathers which seem to drip the stuff endlessly, then its probably a fiendish hawk. Whatever you imagine them like, its supposed to be obvious. Of course, DMs can just say they look exactly like any other animal if they want, thats their perogative.

And yes, playing an evil character sometimes feels like an unfair burden. I like to play evil characters for conflict and friction, but not to the point of lynch mobs and paladin smiting. Theres a massive difference between evil and villain. It doesn't help that villains always seem to be evil.

So thats just why I hope however something like this would get implemented, it would not burden evil characters unfairly.

[Kunoichi]

Well, of course when something new is implemented it needs to cater to everyone equally, and not just for evil or good PCs.

I'd rather the selectable alignment critters you spoke of.

[Lollercide]

I'm pro-giving-Hano-more-signs on who he should smite. Completely unbiased.

[Kunoichi]

Understandable you know. Evil crows and such. Don't they teach you that in paladin school, or were you too busy kissing squires---HOHOHO!

[sharringtonm]

Well, of course when something new is implemented it needs to cater to everyone equally, and not just for evil or good PCs.

I'd rather the selectable alignment critters you spoke of.

I disagree. If I balanced everything I did on fairness, nothing would be done.

Everything I do is going to benefit someone more then someone else. We can only hope in the long run, that enough is done to appease 99% of the players.

[kumati]

Can we summon Pie?