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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 19:58:48
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Did the Mages of Netheril summon demons?
I have not found any reference to demon summonings however they where going on during the time of Netheril. IIRC one Empire in particular summoned hosts of demons and this became a part of their downfall.
However certian Archmages of Netheril where experimenting in Planar shifting (hence the Shades) this IMO would suggest that indeed Demons and devils too where summonded by the Archmages. The Archmages Elitest attitudes could explain reasons for summoning demons- who are a dangerous craft enemy and harnessing and binding them to do a mages will is surely a show of power.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks
Elrond
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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tauster
Senior Scribe
Germany
399 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 22:09:42
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although i have no answers for your questions (as i dont have my netheril-box here), my guess is that summoning demons (and devils, for those who emphasize this distinction) was as common among arcanists as it is among the mages of today. ...which means it depends on how "common" a part you potray it in your campaign. 
however, personally i can very well imagine that the arrogance of netherils arcanists (the three novels set in netheril show good examples of it!) led them to extensive summonings. which in turn could explain why demons hate being summoned so very much. of course netheril was not the only realm where demons were being summoned; concerning those immortal beings, one has to think in the context of
a) an infinite multiverse (or an infinite material plane at least, as i dont know whether or not they can be summoned to other planes) and
b) a VERY long time.
this equates in a quite large number of summoners, so the probability of getting hold of a demon that was summoned by an arrogant netherese arcanist should be rather small.
...at least thatīs what logic seems to imply, although i dont know whether the art of summoning has itīs own twisted logic...
however, a demon that is summoned by a mage of present-day faerun could very well be especially pi**ed off, for he is again bound to serve "one of those pesky mortals that destroyed their realms a short time ago"! 
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2004 : 00:19:02
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The Trio Nefarious, the three nycaloths that led the assualt on Myth Drannor and started the Weeping War, were originally summoned by Netherese archwizards who sent them off to 'test' the elves of Cormanthyr and their magic and defences. So yes, you could say that the wizards of Netheril did have some dealings with the denizens of the lower planes.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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bloodtide_the_red
Learned Scribe
USA
302 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2004 : 14:08:52
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The Archmages of Netheril created all the spells in the old 2E Players Handbook. This list includes Ensnarment, Binding, Demand and Gate. So they did have the spells, and there is a more then good chance that they used them.
In the Netheril Trilogy, Lady Polairs, summons up a Demon Prince to chat with.
BT |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2004 : 16:14:31
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quote:
Originally posted by bloodtide_the_red
The Archmages of Netheril created all the spells in the old 2E Players Handbook. This list includes Ensnarment, Binding, Demand and Gate. So they did have the spells, and there is a more then good chance that they used them.
In the Netheril Trilogy, Lady Polairs, summons up a Demon Prince to chat with.
BT
While they certainly created a lot of spells, I don't think they could be credited with all of the spells in the 2E PHB. After all, some of those spells were created by various Greyhawk mages, like Melf's Acid Arrow, Tenser's Floating Disk, and Bigby's Crushing Hand. |
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bloodtide_the_red
Learned Scribe
USA
302 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2004 : 16:45:32
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Ah.....guess that should be all unnamed spells in the 2E Players Handbook.
BT |
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Netheril and Demons
