Academic Guide to Spirit Summoning

A collection of texts discussing the summoning and transport of spirits in between their home realm and the mortal world.

These three documents can be found in the Leefside library when a player searches for guides on spirit summoning:

Guide to Spirit Summoning and Control

by G. Dorrel

“Those looking for assistance outside the normal mortal realm tend to look towards the spirits for answers and power, however these deals can sometimes leave the summoner at a disadvantage if careful steps are not taken. To speak plainly, spirits tend to be on the mischievous side and selfish when making deals as they wish to get the best outcome for themselves or their goals. However, there are methods that can be used to give the caster an advantage, although most spirits see this as hostile and tensions between the caster and spirit can remain high during the length of the contract. It is never advised to kill a spirit as it is illegal and the consequences of a specific spirits death can be unknown. Use caution in your methodology when you approach spirits.”

GM NOTE: As you read the chapters, you find several bits of knowledge used when dealing with spirit summoning:

You find the method to summon lesser and greater spirits but there is also a warning that attempting to summon superior spirits can have grave consequences to the caster.

Tucked in the section on handling unruly spirits, you find the process and ritual needed to banish a spirit back to its realm. Reading further you find strength of the banishment spell is reliant on its casters. For stronger spirits, a group of mages is recommended. In the case of a spirit possessing a body and refusing to release its contract, this ritual can be used to sever the bond/contract but results vary depending on the contract/binding made.

The section on taming spirits contains a binding ritual that can be cast during the summoning to tether a spirit to a location/object. Once again a warning that the strength of the binding is determined by the casters and if a spirit breaks loose of a binding the fallout could be grave.

In the case that a mutual agreement is made between a bound spirit and its controller, a binding can be undone with a simple ritual and a new deal that frees the spirit. Be careful when doing this, as the spirit might attempt to slip in a term in retaliation to its original binding.

Near the end, there is a section on superior spirits:

“Superior spirits are those that have obtained power over a large aspect of the world. Deals with these types of spirits should be handled with extreme caution as they tend to be the most powerful class of spirits known, with some gatherings calling them gods. There is no recorded death of a superior spirit, but it's theorized that their death would have realm-changing effects.”

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The Ethereal Concordance: A Comprehensive Critique

By L. Thornberry

GM NOTE: Inside the book you find a pamphlet written by L. Thornberry who is described as “an esteemed mage and scholar of the Highrock University College in Astana.” It is titled The Ethereal Concordance: A Comprehensive Critique Skimming through it appears to be a rebuttal to Dorrel's guide.

"Whilst G. Dorrel's 'Guide to Spirit Summoning and Control' provides a foundational understanding of the ethereal arts, it is imperative to address the oversimplifications and potential misconceptions within its pages. Dorrel posits that spirits are inherently mischievous and self-serving, a view that paints these complex entities with an unfairly broad brush. It is my contention that spirits, much like mortals, exhibit a spectrum of dispositions and intentions.

Dorrel's assertion that spirits are predisposed to seek the best outcome for themselves is not without merit; however, it fails to consider the possibility of symbiotic relationships between spirits and summoners. Through respectful negotiation and mutual understanding, a summoner can forge alliances with spirits that are beneficial to both parties without resorting to coercive methods.

Furthermore, the guide's emphasis on binding and banishment rituals underscores a confrontational approach that may incite unnecessary hostility. The strength of a banishment spell, while indeed reliant on its casters, should not be the sole focus. The art of persuasion and diplomacy can often yield more favorable results than raw magical force.

The section on taming spirits, with its warnings of grave fallout, instills a sense of fear rather than fostering a spirit of cooperation. It is my belief that a binding ritual should be a last resort, not a standard practice. The tethering of a spirit to a location or object is an archaic method that disregards the autonomy and agency of the spirit.

In the case of superior spirits, Dorrel's cautionary stance is understandable, given their immense power. However, the term 'gods' is a misnomer that elevates these beings to a status that may not reflect their true nature. While the death of a superior spirit is indeed a matter of great consequence, it is the responsibility of the summoner to approach such entities with reverence and humility, seeking partnership rather than dominion.

Dorrel's guide serves only as a rudimentary primer aimed at printing copies rather than truly seeking to explode the complex subject of spirits. It is the duty of the modern mage to transcend these basic tenets and strive for a more enlightened and ethical engagement with the spirit realm.”

GM NOTE: Much of the pamphlet goes on to criticize Dorrel's work. At the end of the article Thorneberry changes his tone, and addresses a more serious topic - emphasizing the inherent dangers involved in spirit summoning and control.

"Despite my previous contentions with G. Dorrel's guide, it is crucial to underscore the perilous nature of spirit interactions. Dorrel's work, while informative, gravely underestimates the risk of death and grievous harm that accompanies the summoning and binding of spirits. It is a truth universally acknowledged among mage-scholars that meddling with the ethereal can lead to one's untimely demise.

To engage with spirits—be they lesser, greater, or superior—is to dance with the arcane unknown. The rituals and methods described by Dorrel, though seemingly meticulous, cannot account for the unpredictable and often volatile will of the spirits. A summoner may find themselves outmatched and ensnared in a fatal bargain, their life extinguished like a candle in a tempest.

The act of binding, while presented as a means of control, is akin to shackling a storm; the potential for catastrophic backlash is immense. Should a spirit break free, the consequences may extend beyond the individual caster, wreaking havoc upon the physical and ethereal planes alike.

It is with a heavy heart and a solemn mind that I implore practitioners of the arcane arts to heed this warning: the path of spirit summoning is fraught with shadows and should only be traversed by those prepared to face the ultimate sacrifice. Let this serve as a dire admonition to all who dare to reach beyond the veil."

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— L. Thorneberry, "The Ethereal Concordance: A Comprehensive Critique”

A response letter from Dorrel to Thoreberry

GM NOTE: Attached with the pamphlet, is a copy of a letter that is described as having been printed in the Marilune Magical Arts Journal. The letter is a response from Dorrel to Thorneberry.

“Dear L. Thorneberry,

I have read your so-called "comprehensive critique" of my guide, and I must say, I find your arguments to be as ethereal as the spirits you claim to understand. Your romanticized view of spirit summoning is not only naive but dangerously misleading.

You accuse me of oversimplification, yet it is you who fail to grasp the gravity of the subject. Spirits are not mere playthings to be negotiated with over a cup of tea. They are powerful entities that demand respect and caution, something your critique sorely lacks.

Your call for symbiotic relationships with spirits is idealistic at best. The real world of spirit summoning is not a utopian fantasy where all beings coexist in harmony. It is a complex and often perilous practice that requires strict guidelines and control—guidelines that my guide provides and your critique conveniently overlooks.

Furthermore, your dismissal of binding rituals as "archaic" shows a profound ignorance of their necessity. Without these practices, the arcane arts would be a field of chaos and disaster. It is easy to preach about ethics and cooperation from the safety of your study, but in the field, such luxuries are often not an option.

In conclusion, your critique, while eloquently written, is nothing more than an academic exercise detached from the realities of our craft. I suggest you spend less time philosophizing and more time understanding the true nature of the spirits you so wish to befriend.

Regards,
G. Dorrel”