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Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 04:17:16
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Why are these spells ignored in the novels? There are quite a few uses for conjuration spells that call allies, but I haven't seen them used in any major way. Only major creatures are summoned, such as powerful elementals, demons, devils, or divine emissaries. Is it a game balance issue? Or is it a need for characters to do their own fighting?
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But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
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Hymn
Senior Scribe
Sweden
514 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 04:52:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Sourcemaster2
Why are these spells ignored in the novels? There are quite a few uses for conjuration spells that call allies, but I haven't seen them used in any major way. Only major creatures are summoned, such as powerful elementals, demons, devils, or divine emissaries. Is it a game balance issue? Or is it a need for characters to do their own fighting?
Haven't thought about it that much. But now that you mention it I find me questioning as well.
Perhaps it's because they lack "effect", in lack of a better word. (ah that came out nice ) Which thing would be more interesting reading about, a few conjurers summoning in some spiders to fight the hero or a rampaging demon from the lower leves braking through the wall to slay the hero. Just my opionon or, reason why as I see it.
and on the Hero front it might be as you say, the hero fights "better" alone. But then again we have Drizzit and Ghuenhewyr (*cough* don't burn me if I spelled it wrong). I can't think up of any other Hero having a summoned partner, alltough the cat is a stand alone and dosn't fall within these spells.
Hmm, have to ponder this some more, and leave it to those who have read more novels then I, since I have been really slack on that front this year. |
Sauro moki kara ochiro - Even monkeys falls from trees.
The path that leads to truth is littered with the bodies of the ignorant - Miyamoto Musashi |
Edited by - Hymn on 01 Jun 2004 04:58:23 |
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Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 05:37:51
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| Fighting by proxy isnt's that uncommon, but its usually in the form of a golem, magical item (like the big black cat we see so often), and almost always used by an evil char (obviously excluding Drizzt) It's the summon spells that we see so rarely. |
But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 14:33:25
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Ed doesn't like those spells, I gather, and by extension most mages of Faerūn don't. I'm sure it's a lot to do with it being undramatic and unheroic to move attention to some monster who isn't a character. The various summoning spells are extrapolations from demon-summoning, which I'm sure happens its fair share of times in the Realms but we saw it less due to Code of Ethics/Standards for Content.
Guenhwyvar *is* a character, that's the difference there. |
Edited by - Faraer on 01 Jun 2004 14:38:22 |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 14:59:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
Ed doesn't like those spells, I gather, and by extension most mages of Faerūn don't. I'm sure it's a lot to do with it being undramatic and unheroic to move attention to some monster who isn't a character. The various summoning spells are extrapolations from demon-summoning, which I'm sure happens its fair share of times in the Realms but we saw it less due to Code of Ethics/Standards for Content.
Guenhwyvar *is* a character, that's the difference there.
I completely agree with Faraer, i think that the reason of this "omission" of the summoning spell is that's not the saame say:
"The ogre killed the fiends" that "Janos bravelery looked into the eyes of the fiends and charged with his flaming sword beatting them easily".
I thinks this is the reason.  |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe
USA
758 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 20:36:06
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| Then again, how many books have a wizard, other than Elminster, for a hero. Even the supporting casts are a little light on the wizard pool. They make better baddies than goodies. |
"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium
Candlekeep proverb: If a thing is said often enough, fools aplenty will believe it to be true. |
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Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 21:17:18
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| That's true. I guess it's because a clever wizard could find a fairly cheap way to get rid of most enemies with even low-level spells and a bit of planning. |
But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 21:53:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
Ed doesn't like those spells, I gather, and by extension most mages of Faerūn don't.
From what I recall, Ed's one of the few authors to depict wizards using summoning spells. I can't remember the sources, but tt seems that at least two times Zhentilar wizards used summoning spells to sick "pets" on the heroes of the story.
Sarta |
Edited by - Sarta on 01 Jun 2004 21:54:10 |
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cpthero2
Great Reader
USA
2286 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2018 : 17:04:15
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Senior Scribe Sourcemaster2,
I feel that the reason is much like why we don't see much, specific, high end magic. For example, divination magic as it is truly available in Halruaa, is skipped in the Murder in Halruaa book and other sources because the problems would get figured out in a hot second. The Arkaiun's (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Arkaiun) were found out by powerful divination wizards before major attacks for example.
I think if the true, full power of wizards, especially specialists, were unleashed the novels would be about 11 pages long, lol.
Best regards,
quote:
Originally posted by Sourcemaster2
Why are these spells ignored in the novels? There are quite a few uses for conjuration spells that call allies, but I haven't seen them used in any major way. Only major creatures are summoned, such as powerful elementals, demons, devils, or divine emissaries. Is it a game balance issue? Or is it a need for characters to do their own fighting?
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Higher Atlar
Spirit Soaring |
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Summon monster
