A spell for D&D, that is definitely problematic

[Edena_of_Neith]

Way back in ancient times, decades ago, the magazine called White Dwarf supported primarily D&D and AD&D, and once upon a time they came up with this 2nd level spell.
This 2nd level spell ... as a 2nd level spell, it can be cast by a mere 3rd level wizard, wizard subclass or sorcerer in the earlier editions ... by a low level wizard in 4E ...

It's name is: Summon Unbeliever.
If you know it and cast it, it may just summon Thomas Covenant (White Gold and all) in his incarnation in the 1st Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever.
If the spell does not summon Thomas Covenant, it will summon someone exactly like him (or her), with a problem or three similar in nature, and exactly the same attitude towards you, the group, the setting, and what is considered appropriate behavior therein. Said person will have a talisman of ultimate power (in D&D terms, on a level with the Hand of Vecna) which can save or damn the campaign, and ...

Well, you DO know who (and what) Thomas Covenant is, don't you?
You don't?

This is a case of What You Don't Know Can Hurt You. A fiendish (actually, rather sadistic) DM could give you this spell, and you cast it, and ... well, you would then find out all about Thomas Covenant.

It is only 2nd level. It was 2nd level all those decades ago, and it is still only 2nd level *now* (even in 4E, it is a low level power - merely summoning the Unbeliever is quite easy.)

As long as you remain alive, the summoned Unbeliever will stick around (which might not be long, considering that your party might kill you to put an end to the spell.) The Unbeliever himself (or herself) cannot depart the campaign setting and return home. All he (or she) can - and will relentlessly - do is declare that you, your party, and the setting, do not exist. You and they and it, are a dream. (And that's just the start of the fun ... it gets better.)

So, the next time your party is in desperate straits, and you stumble across this 2nd level spell with very strange runes, and your DM is particularly nasty, you might want to consider looking carefully before you leap.

(Oh, and regardless of what edition of D&D you are playing, the Unbeliever transcends not only said edition, but all the other rules as well. It is best to treat the Unbeliever, the person himself (or herself) as an Artifact/Relic, for that really is the truth. They cannot be killed by any normal means, since they must leave the world in exactly the condition they arrived, and also in addition upon the death of the Summoner. The power they carry, transcends all realities of the campaign. Unfortunately for those who Summoned the Unbeliever, he is 50% likely to ultimately use it against them, 50% likely to use it for them, 100% likely to cause endless grief and harm first, and in any event he will not use the power at all at first, denying it's very existence. No amount of argument, reason, threat, force, or even empirical evidence will change this.)

[Trainz]

I have never been aware of this spell, and have no idea what you're talking about.

[Edena_of_Neith]

Heh, it's a spell from a long ago White Dwarf.
Unless you've read the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, it is meaningless. If you have read the Chronicles, you know it's a good spell for the party to get itself into deep doo-doo with. :)

If you haven't read the Chronicles, I recommend them. You will either love or hate them (there is never an in-between with these books.)
I was very surprised when I ran into that spell. I'm a collector, and ran into it while gathering those old magazines.

[AZRogue]

They're good books.

As for such a spell as you mentioned, I'm not sure I'd allow it, as a DM. I don't think I'd introduce it unless I was very sure of the players and had a very definite idea where the campaign was going.

By his very nature, Thomas Covenant would be the person to decide the final "Question" of whatever story arch your campaign was based upon. He'd be the guy at the end who got to choose. The rest of the party would become only spectators to the final resolution, basically taking Foamfollower's place in the Creche, and I just don't think that's a good ending for a normal campaign.

Also, I don't think it would be reasonable to keep it 2nd level just because it was 2nd level back during AD&D in a magazine article somebody wrote. As a matter of fact, I don't think it should be a spell at all. If we're talking 4th Edition, I would make it a very complicated ritual and use complicated requirements that would, in part, rely upon the DM's active participation so as to control when he was summoned.

I guess I'm not really that fond of adding real fictional characters into campaigns. The requirements for a good fictional character are different than the requirements for a good NPC, IMO.

[Cat of Ulthar]

I hate the Thomas Covenant chronicles. Managed to squirm my way through the first book, but with difficulty. The main character is an asshole, the setting is uncomfortable, I really, really could not get on with them. My ex loved them though.

[The Winslow]

That's the kind of spells that I wouldn't even consider adding. Why not Summon Jedi? Or Break the Fourth Wall? It's about as good for the campaign's integrity as having an NPC tell the PCs something like "You think you are heroes, but really you're just the pawns of a bunch of fat, dorito-eating losers who only control you because it makes them forget they'll never get laid."

[Edena_of_Neith]

Actually, I meant this thread in humor.

Obviously, the Unbeliever would wreck the campaign.
The Unbeliever, would wreck the party. Real quickly.

If you're going to summon someone from books or films ... it should be someone more agreeable than Thomas Covenant!

[Name Lips]

Hey, I just found this in an old issue of Dragon. :tongue:


Summon Edena of Neith
Level: Wizard 0 (cantrip)
Components: V
Casting time: 1 full round
Duration: Until campaign is no longer playable
Save: No
Resistence: No
:tongue:

[The Winslow]

It shouldn't be anyone, actually.

[Edena_of_Neith]

Hey, I just found this in an old issue of Dragon. :tongue:


:tongue:

(laughs in manical glee)

Ok, fess up! Which Dragon Magazine # is it in? Because THAT issue of Dragon Magazine, will be the Ultimate Collector's Issue! :D

Oh, and for heaven's sake, don't cast that spell. You haven't got the faintest inkling of what you are getting yourselves into.

(Mind you, anyone could summon Edena with the 9th level Gate spell, a Limited Wish or Wish, Miracle, or even Teleport Other. It is easy enough to summon Edena ... just like it is quite easy to get INTO Ravenloft ... )

EDIT:

Winslow, the spell in White Dwarf does not summon anyone specific, really. It merely summons an Unbeliever with the equivalent of White Gold.
Thomas Covenant himself is already is use (by Stephen Donaldson.) So, the spell won't summon him (or Linden Avery.) Instead, the spell will, summon someone who is LIKE Thomas Covenant or Linden Avery. And that is all that is ... required.

[Edena_of_Neith]

Here's a spell that is more perilous:

Summon Alustriel
Level: 0
Casting Time: Varies
Area of Effect: Alustriel
Range: About 300 miles
Duration: Varies
Saving Throw: Not Applicable

There are many audacious hopefuls who attempt to summon the Lady Hope of Silverymoon, Queen of the Silver Marches, 25th level wizard (2nd edition), chaotic good champion of the remaining bastions of Civilization in the north of Faerun.
One almost certain way to do this is by starting a forest fire (FOR7 The Seven Sisters.) It is extremely likely she will show up to douse the fire, as protecting the forests (especially the Moonwood) are priorities to her. The DM should consider there is a 75% chance or greater of her appearing to deal with the situation.

Of course, another way is simply to speak her name (from anywhere in Realmspace) and request her presence. She can hear her name being spoken and the next 12 words, regardless of magical items that protect the speaker from detection (FOR7 The Seven Sisters.) However, in this case, it is highly questionable whether she will appear.

Smokey the Bear is against forest fires. Alustriel of Silverymoon, is really against forest fires, especially forest fires deliberately set in her realm, and tends to be totally infuriated with those who start them (although this anger may not manifest in her face or voice or cloud her judgement, it will be there.)
The party is well advised to have a good explanation for their actions, if they wish to avoid Alustriel's Justice. They will need a better explanation yet, if they desire any kind of assistance from her.

[Lmik]

If we summon a Edena of Neith while it is in the shower will it arrive naked along with a bar of soap or does it automatically morph into a 161st level Cleric.

Could not stand Thomas Covenant but still read three of the books believing that some where along the line I would start enjoying it.

[Edena_of_Neith]

(evil grin)

If you (foolishly) summon an Edena_of_Neith, it could arrive male, female, human, elven, dragon, clothed, naked, armored, unarmored, 161st level, 1st level, and in just about any possible mood.
That is for it to know, and for you to find out (the hard way.)

[Cat of Ulthar]

Could not stand Thomas Covenant but still read three of the books believing that some where along the line I would start enjoying it.
See, I was like that. Until I made myself stop in favour of all the other books pining on their shelves waiting to be read by me which are worth my while. I am still unable to not finish a book I have started for the same reason though... It might get good! I might cheat myself of greatness! Those two hundred pages I read might not be wasted!
(evil grin)

If you (foolishly) summon an Edena_of_Neith, it could arrive male, female, human, elven, dragon, clothed, naked, armored, unarmored, 161st level, 1st level, and in just about any possible mood.
That is for it to know, and for you to find out (the hard way.)
So there *is* the possibility for it to arrive female, human, naked, unarmoured, 6th level and in a horny mood. Just saying...

[Edena_of_Neith]

See, I was like that. Until I made myself stop in favour of all the other books pining on their shelves waiting to be read by me which are worth my while. I am still unable to not finish a book I have started for the same reason though... It might get good! I might cheat myself of greatness! Those two hundred pages I read might not be wasted!

So there *is* the possibility for it to arrive female, human, naked, unarmoured, 6th level and in a horny mood. Just saying...

Heh. Do you *really* want the answer to your second question? You do? Well then ... there is the possibility of it arriving as an elven female, very horny, eager for both the arms of women and men ...

As far as Thomas Covenant goes, there are three trilogies worth of him (and his companion, Linden Avery the Chosen.) The last trilogy, however, is still being written, and only 2 out of the 4 books are available as of yet.
If you read these trilogies, do read the English versions. Because I don't think the Translator liked Thomas Covenant much more than most of the rest of us do.
You hate Thomas Covenant? You should. We all should. That's not the problem. The PROBLEM starts when we start rooting for the bastard, even sympathizing with the bastard, when we know very well that he is a ... well, you know.

[Dacke]

The last trilogy, however, is still being written, and only 2 out of the 4 books are available as of yet.
When did Stephen Donaldson turn into Douglas Adams?

[Name Lips]

When did Stephen Donaldson turn into Douglas Adams?

More like Piers Anthony. I think each Xanth trilogy has 9 books in it or something. Just to annoy critics.