Bartimaeus Trilogy (Stroudian) magic

[Anonymouswizard]

Insert quote from the amulet of samakand here

In the Bartimaeus trilogy magic is normally achieved by the summoning of demons. I believe that this type of magic could be balanced against other casters, as characters would have to rely on their demons remaining strong and alive. So, without further ado, I present Storudian magic:
[spoiler]Magic relies on summoning demons to do your bidding, although magicians can perform simple spells without their help. To summon a demon a magician must first uncover their name, meaning almost all demons who are summoned have been summoned for centuries. All demons are unquie beings with many magical abilities. To summon a demon a character must speak their name and make a DC20 summoning check. Before summoning a demon a character must draw a two pentacles, one for them and one for the Demon. As long as the magician does not step outside their pentacle when commanding the demon than the demon also may not move from their pentacle.

Slaves
Magicians may make demons work for them permanently. This is no different to summoning a demon normally, although the wrong choice of demon could make a magician unpopular amoung his fellows.

Planes
there are seven planes of exsistance, on which each demon appears. The first plane is the normal world, while the other six planes show different types of magic, including the more true forms of demons.[/spolier]

So please review honestly, and add additions, including stats for imps, filiots, djinn, afrits and marids.

[DracoDei]

What kinds of bonuses apply to the summon check? Class level?

I feel like you are hinting at a class, but giving next to no details.

[Anonymouswizard]

The summon check is either a caster level type check or a skill ceck, although an intelligence or charisma check would work well.

The main thing about this magic is that it would probally have to be resricted on the maximum number of demons you can summon.

Also, For the class, I was thinking of posting one when the system was nearer completion, but i'll post this and add features when they are needed. (note: demon does not mean the monster type).
Magician
Insert fluf here.
{table]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1|+0|+0|+0|+2|Summoning (imps, foliots)
2|+1|+0|+0|+3|Punitive jab
3|+1|+1|+1|+3|Red hot stipples
4|+2|+1|+1|+4|Inferno
5|+2|+1|+1|+4|Summoning (djinn)
6|+3|+2|+2|+5|The indifinate confinement
7|+3|+2|+2|+5|Sysmatic vice
8|+4|+2|+2|+6|The stimulating compass
9|+4|+3|+3|+6|Stricture
10|+5|+3|+3|+7|Summoning (Afrits)
11|+5|+3|+3|+7|Plasm
12|+6|+4|+4|+8|The indifinate confinement
13|+6|+4|+4|+8|The shrivvlling fire
14|+7|+4|+4|+9|Mournful orb
15|+7|+5|+5|+9|Summoning (Marids)
16|+8|+5|+5|+10|Detonation
17|+8|+5|+5|+10|Convulsion
18|+9|+6|+6|+11|Hurricane
19|+9|+6|+6|+11|Master of Demons
20|+10|+6|+6|+12|Summoning (greater beings)[/table]
Weapon and armour proficiency: as the wizard.
Summoning: this is the highest level grade of spirit the magician can summon on his own. Two or more magicians add their levels together to work out the highest grade of demon they can summon.
Spells: each of the abilities not described is a new spell. A magician can use each of these spells by paying a number of hit points equal to the spell level x2.
Master of demons: at 19th level the magician adds half his class level on rolls to influence demons.

[industrious]

The thing about Stroudian magic is that don't need to be a higher level to summon the more powerful demons. Nathaniel certainly wasn't level 5 when he summoned Bartimaeus. I'd make demon summoning a skill (using INT) and give magicians access to various abilities at will, similar to a warlock. They can get the various names of demons using a knowledge check, then make the demon summoning check against a DC equal to the grade of demon(CR+some constant+grade of demon?).

[Da Pwnzlord]

I think part of it should be a matter of time. Nathanial spent a long time preparing to summon Bartimaeus, but more experienced magicians seemed like they could summon imps and foliots with a wave of their hand. (if I remember correctly)

To make it balanced, I suggest a cap on the number of HD the summoner can control.

[industrious]

Or at least a cap on the HD of the highest level of beings a magician is able to summon. Whitwell summoned an afrit as well as several other lower level demons.

[osyluth]

There should be a DC 10 check to draw the pentacles, because if they're drawn incorrectly the demon can escape and kill you.