ksbsnowowl
2017-11-08, 09:54 PM
My players are thinking of getting revenge on the BBEG Fiend of the previous module (she killed a PC, fought the party to a stand-still several times, and escaped) by casting Gate to bring said individual to their location, in an area that will neuter and lock-down the BBEG. They are planning to erect an Energy Transformation Field (set to trigger a targeted Greater Dispel Magic), in which they will place a Force Cage (note that the range on both Gate and Force Cage are long enough that they can be cast from outside the ETF, but brought into being inside the ETF, which ETF specifically allows for).
I have no issue with the PC's using spells intelligently to get revenge on a BBEG that they hate to no end (again, this is the previous module's BBEG; the party thwarted some of her plans, and she has gone back to an old position in the Baatorian heirarchy). I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly what would actually happen if they did this.
Gate
Conjuration (Creation or Calling)
...
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Casting a gate spell has two effects. First, it creates an interdimensional connection between your plane of existence and a plane you specify, allowing travel between those two planes in either direction.
Second, you may then call a particular individual or kind of being through the gate.
...
Calling Creatures: The second effect of the gate spell is to call an extraplanar creature to your aid (a calling effect). By naming a particular being or kind of being as you cast the spell, you cause the gate to open in the immediate vicinity of the desired creature and pull the subject through, willing or unwilling. Deities and unique beings are under no compulsion to come through the gate, although they may choose to do so of their own accord.
...
If you choose to call a kind of creature instead of a known individual... In the case of a single creature, you can control it if its HD do not exceed twice your caster level.
A controlled creature can be commanded to perform a service for you. Such services fall into two categories: immediate tasks and contractual service. Fighting for you in a single battle or taking any other actions that can be accomplished within 1 round per caster level counts as an immediate task; you need not make any agreement or pay any reward for the creature’s help. The creature departs at the end of the spell.
If you choose to exact a longer or more involved form of service from a called creature, you must offer some fair trade in return for that service. The service exacted must be reasonable with respect to the promised favor or reward...
Failure to fulfill the promise to the letter results in your being subjected to service by the creature or by its liege and master, at the very least. At worst, the creature or its kin may attack you.Okay, so they can call a "particular individual ... a known individual." Seems to be nothing preventing them from calling in the Pit Fiend BBEG. She's not unique (as Pit Fiends promoted further would be, as "unique devils", i.e. - Dukes of Hell, FC2 p. 9), she's just a standard MM1 Pit Fiend with a personality.
The last two paragraphs seem to only deal with each other; the last paragraph doesn't seem to apply for an immediate task.
The caster and the fiend BBEG called will be very close in level, so the fiend will be controlled. If she's ordered to just perform the "immediate task" of standing there while the party kills her, anything she can do about that?
The only possible defense that comes immediately to mind is if the Pit Fiend were anticipating the party exacting some sort of revenge, and having a Bone Devil minion constantly keeping it under the effects of a Dimensional Anchor spell:
Forms of movement barred by a dimensional anchor include astral projection, blink, dimension door, ethereal jaunt, etherealness, gate, maze, plane shift, shadow walk, teleport, and similar spell-like or psionic abilities. The spell also prevents the use of a gate or teleportation circle for the duration of the spell.It's quite possible the Pit Fiend would have done something like that to prevent being called soon after dealing with the PC's, but it has been about 2 months, in game, since she last saw the PC's. She would likely have lightened up by this point (but, I'm coming at it from a Human perspective, not a creature that has been around for eons).
So, what logical precautions and defenses could this Pit Fiend have in place, either before she is called, or after, to protect herself?
Also, I should note, the Pit Fiend used her once per year Wish to start the plot of the previous module rolling. There isn't a definite timeline since that occurred, but it has very likely been less than a year.
I have no issue with the PC's using spells intelligently to get revenge on a BBEG that they hate to no end (again, this is the previous module's BBEG; the party thwarted some of her plans, and she has gone back to an old position in the Baatorian heirarchy). I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly what would actually happen if they did this.
Gate
Conjuration (Creation or Calling)
...
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Casting a gate spell has two effects. First, it creates an interdimensional connection between your plane of existence and a plane you specify, allowing travel between those two planes in either direction.
Second, you may then call a particular individual or kind of being through the gate.
...
Calling Creatures: The second effect of the gate spell is to call an extraplanar creature to your aid (a calling effect). By naming a particular being or kind of being as you cast the spell, you cause the gate to open in the immediate vicinity of the desired creature and pull the subject through, willing or unwilling. Deities and unique beings are under no compulsion to come through the gate, although they may choose to do so of their own accord.
...
If you choose to call a kind of creature instead of a known individual... In the case of a single creature, you can control it if its HD do not exceed twice your caster level.
A controlled creature can be commanded to perform a service for you. Such services fall into two categories: immediate tasks and contractual service. Fighting for you in a single battle or taking any other actions that can be accomplished within 1 round per caster level counts as an immediate task; you need not make any agreement or pay any reward for the creature’s help. The creature departs at the end of the spell.
If you choose to exact a longer or more involved form of service from a called creature, you must offer some fair trade in return for that service. The service exacted must be reasonable with respect to the promised favor or reward...
Failure to fulfill the promise to the letter results in your being subjected to service by the creature or by its liege and master, at the very least. At worst, the creature or its kin may attack you.Okay, so they can call a "particular individual ... a known individual." Seems to be nothing preventing them from calling in the Pit Fiend BBEG. She's not unique (as Pit Fiends promoted further would be, as "unique devils", i.e. - Dukes of Hell, FC2 p. 9), she's just a standard MM1 Pit Fiend with a personality.
The last two paragraphs seem to only deal with each other; the last paragraph doesn't seem to apply for an immediate task.
The caster and the fiend BBEG called will be very close in level, so the fiend will be controlled. If she's ordered to just perform the "immediate task" of standing there while the party kills her, anything she can do about that?
The only possible defense that comes immediately to mind is if the Pit Fiend were anticipating the party exacting some sort of revenge, and having a Bone Devil minion constantly keeping it under the effects of a Dimensional Anchor spell:
Forms of movement barred by a dimensional anchor include astral projection, blink, dimension door, ethereal jaunt, etherealness, gate, maze, plane shift, shadow walk, teleport, and similar spell-like or psionic abilities. The spell also prevents the use of a gate or teleportation circle for the duration of the spell.It's quite possible the Pit Fiend would have done something like that to prevent being called soon after dealing with the PC's, but it has been about 2 months, in game, since she last saw the PC's. She would likely have lightened up by this point (but, I'm coming at it from a Human perspective, not a creature that has been around for eons).
So, what logical precautions and defenses could this Pit Fiend have in place, either before she is called, or after, to protect herself?
Also, I should note, the Pit Fiend used her once per year Wish to start the plot of the previous module rolling. There isn't a definite timeline since that occurred, but it has very likely been less than a year.