Magic Circle against X and called beings

[Bladesong]

Hi,

Im playing a mage who specialises in sumoning and barganing with elementals/oustiders and have all the sort of spells you would expect from such a mage. Recently we fought with an Efreet, and after defeeting it we needed to question it.

Now my query:

I cast a macic circle against evil, focused inward and spend the additional time to cast Dimentional Anchor into it. Now the wording on the circle spells suggest that this will hold an oustider for 11 days while we question/threaten/bribe/beg him, however it also says this only works if i cast the spell that summons him the round after preparing the circle. What hapens in the case where the outsider is already present (called by someone else) and just lying subdued on the floor while I suround him with my circle?

I realise we could probably have the same effect by chaining him up, but this way is more in character if it works.

[Were-Sandwich]

AS a DM, I'd let it fly, for creativity and clever use of spells. In my group, its a miracle if they put more thought into spell selection that "whichever does the most damage".

[daggaz]

I would totally let this fly. Seems to me, WotC had the idea that the circle turned inwards would have a much longer duration (notice its hours now instead of minutes) as long as you summon a creature into the spell while the magic is still fresh.

Notice this makes it hard to trap evil creatures, something they explicitly write as being a problem with the spell ie "A magic circle leaves much to be desired as a trap." The idea is, you could make the magic circle, remove its aura, make it invisible or whatever, and then have an evil being chase you down a hallway until it runs into the circle and then bam! But WotC specifically removes this cheese tactic (can you imagine how overpowered that would be?).

However, casting a FRESH circle on a helpless target seems totally in hand with the spirit and flavor of the spell description, if not the exact wording. I would definitely allow it.

[Emperor Tippy]

I would also allow it.

[Bladesong]

Thanks chaps, in the end my DM did alow it, but neither of us were sure what the RAW said

[TheOOB]

One key thing of note, while I would allow you to trap an unconsious outsider in an inward circle, without a planer binding spell there is nothing forcing the outsider to stand by any deal they make. With a planer binding spell an outsider has to abide by any deals they make as part of their release(though how they meet their end of the deal might vary).

Remember that in this case you are relying on the honest of an Efreet, not always the wisest of options.

[Person_Man]

By RAW, it wouldn't work. But I'd allow it too. Talk to your DM. As long as you avoid abusing it, he'll probably allow it as well.

[MrNexx]

I agree with TheOOB; I'd allow it, but the efreet is under no obligation to abide by his promises.