Question(s): Summoning
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:09 pm
I finally have to figure out that one game mechanic I always managed to keep away from in Earthdawn; those damn spirits.
I could use some help.
First (of I'm sure many) questions:
From what I think I understand, the simple fact that a spirit has been successfully summoned means that said spirit WILL perform a service for the summoner (P:366 - The spirit will perform one service for the summoner during this time.).
The 'negotiation' with the spirit seems to be only related on which/how many powers it will use to perform said service. The wording also seems to mean that its a simple question of using Elemental Tongues or Spirit Talk and that, for every success on the test, the spirit agrees to use one of its listed powers to perform the service.
The rules also states that the negotiation might be enhance by offering to perform a favor (including blood sacrifice).
So, here's my understanding of how it works, I would like to know if my interpretation is right or not:
1- Upon successful Summoning (Summoning talent VS spirits MD), the spirit will perform ONE service for the Summoner within the duration of the summoning (i.e. 1 hours per success).
2- Summoner makes a Spirit Talk/Elemental Tongues test against the spirit's SD; for each success, the spirit agrees to use one of its listed powers while performing that 1 service.
3- THAT'S IT. From what I understand, the spirits will go perform the service, using the negotiated powers.
BUT, the summoner have other options if he wants to:
4 The summoner 'may enhance the negotiation' by offering to perform a favor to the spirit. No mechanic is given so I assume that it means that the GM could/would give additional 'successes' for the services in exchange of those favor(s) but said favor are NOT required if step #2 gave enough successes for what the summoner wanted in term of power use.
5- The spirit might argue/whine a bit but WILL perform the service. For the (stated) rare occasion where it refuses, the summoner may use the Social Interaction mechanic to convince the spirit but with penalties (requires +1 success).
6- Finally, the spirit may refuses completely if it consider the service hazardous for it. In that case, we go for contest of will.
So, is everything above correct? Looking forward for your inputs.
Thank you.
I could use some help.
First (of I'm sure many) questions:
From what I think I understand, the simple fact that a spirit has been successfully summoned means that said spirit WILL perform a service for the summoner (P:366 - The spirit will perform one service for the summoner during this time.).
The 'negotiation' with the spirit seems to be only related on which/how many powers it will use to perform said service. The wording also seems to mean that its a simple question of using Elemental Tongues or Spirit Talk and that, for every success on the test, the spirit agrees to use one of its listed powers to perform the service.
The rules also states that the negotiation might be enhance by offering to perform a favor (including blood sacrifice).
So, here's my understanding of how it works, I would like to know if my interpretation is right or not:
1- Upon successful Summoning (Summoning talent VS spirits MD), the spirit will perform ONE service for the Summoner within the duration of the summoning (i.e. 1 hours per success).
2- Summoner makes a Spirit Talk/Elemental Tongues test against the spirit's SD; for each success, the spirit agrees to use one of its listed powers while performing that 1 service.
3- THAT'S IT. From what I understand, the spirits will go perform the service, using the negotiated powers.
BUT, the summoner have other options if he wants to:
4 The summoner 'may enhance the negotiation' by offering to perform a favor to the spirit. No mechanic is given so I assume that it means that the GM could/would give additional 'successes' for the services in exchange of those favor(s) but said favor are NOT required if step #2 gave enough successes for what the summoner wanted in term of power use.
5- The spirit might argue/whine a bit but WILL perform the service. For the (stated) rare occasion where it refuses, the summoner may use the Social Interaction mechanic to convince the spirit but with penalties (requires +1 success).
6- Finally, the spirit may refuses completely if it consider the service hazardous for it. In that case, we go for contest of will.
So, is everything above correct? Looking forward for your inputs.
Thank you.