Introduction
In magic, few schools captivate the imagination as much as the Summoning school. This powerful arcane tradition focuses on calling forth creatures, objects, and entities from other planes of existence to serve the caster’s will. Whether summoning celestial allies, terrifying fiends, or spectral guardians, summoners wield an unparalleled ability to manipulate the forces of the multiverse. In tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, summoning magic is a dynamic and versatile tool that shapes encounters, alters battlefields, and opens gateways to hidden realms.
Fundamentals of Summoning Magic
The Summoning school of magic is primarily concerned with the conjuration of creatures or objects, often from distant planes or unknown dimensions. Unlike spells that manipulate existing forces or energies, summoning spells bring entirely new entities into the material world, sometimes permanently, but often for a limited duration. Some key aspects of this school include:
- Creature Summoning: Casters can summon beasts, spirits, elementals, demons, and more to aid them in combat or exploration.
- Planar Manipulation: Advanced summoners can open portals to other planes or temporarily tether extraplanar beings to their command.
- Object Conjuration: Some summoning spells allow the caster to instantly create tools, weapons, or structures out of thin air.
- Binding and Control: More powerful summoners can bind unwilling creatures to their service, ensuring loyalty through magical restraints.
Notable Summoning Spells
Summoning magic manifests in a variety of spells across different magical traditions. Some of the most iconic summoning spells include:
- Find Familiar: A wizard’s first foray into summoning magic, this spell calls forth a loyal animal spirit that serves as an extension of its master’s senses.
- Summon Elemental: A powerful conjuration that brings forth an elemental being of fire, water, earth, or air to fight for the caster.
- Planar Ally: A divine spell that requests aid from celestial, fey, or fiendish beings in exchange for service or tribute.
- Gate: One of the most potent summoning spells, Gate allows the caster to open a rift between planes, potentially calling forth gods, demons, or otherworldly entities.
The Risks and Ethics of Summoning
While summoning magic is undeniably powerful, it comes with risks. Many extraplanar beings possess free will and may not be easily controlled, leading to unintended consequences. Some risks include:
- Unruly Summons: Summoned creatures may turn against their caster if not properly bound or appeased.
- Moral Consequences: Conjuring and binding creatures raises ethical questions—especially when summoning sentient beings.
- Magical Corruption: Some summoning spells, particularly those calling upon fiendish entities, can corrupt the caster or attract malevolent forces.
Summoning in Different Magical Traditions
Summoning is not limited to a single magical archetype. It appears across multiple traditions, each interpreting the art differently:
- Wizards: The most disciplined summoners, wizards approach the school through deep study and meticulous spellcraft.
- Clerics and Druids: Divine casters call upon celestial beings or nature spirits to aid in their holy or natural missions.
- Warlocks: Often bound by pacts with powerful entities, warlocks may summon creatures as part of their patron agreements.
- Sorcerers: Some sorcerers manifest innate summoning abilities through their bloodline, mainly if they descend from celestial, infernal, or elemental ancestry.
Conclusion
Summoning magic is one of the arcane arts’ most awe-inspiring and dangerous disciplines. From battlefield reinforcement to planar exploration, the possibilities are vast for those who dare to wield its power. Whether summoning a loyal familiar, calling upon celestial allies, or opening portals to otherworldly dimensions, mastery of summoning magic is a journey of power and responsibility. The question remains—will you control what you summon, or will it control you?