”Lesser and greater devils can’t freely make deals outside of their home plane, but there are ways it can be done. If a summoner on another plane knows a devil’s true name or has its talisman (as described in “Devil True Names and Talismans” in the Monster Manual), instead of binding the devil into service, the summoner can create a ritual circle that allows the devil to forge a deal. Once the deal is sealed with a contract, the devil returns to the Nine Hells.”
Doesn't this kinda get in the way of the whole ‘soul quota’ thing?
Also, why wouldn't they spread their true names around everywhere? My impression was that you could summon and control devils if you had their true names, and this makes it be the opposite. You'd think that devil true names would be common knowledge, and everyone would know a few devil true names, as there are thousands of devils, and they would try to spread their names everywhere.
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I mean, Wizards are notoriously jealous of their knowledge. Would you really want all of your rivals knowing the true name of the devil you discovered? What if they use that devil against you?
But you don't use this knowledge to benefit you much, just get a bit more temporary power if you're lucky, and I think that the devils would have some way of spreading their names without the help of wizards, like writing it down everywhere they visit on the Material Plane, and telling it to everyone you meet. I think this system could have been better. I liked it when true names allowed you to control devils and other creatures.
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I guess devils have to find their own way to the material plane. If an imp finds a planar portal in Avernus to the Sword Coast, it would be free to make deals left, right and center, and pop back through the portal in time for tea.
True names do more than allow a wizard to summon a devil, true names allow a measure of control over their being. As such, devils wouldn't want to spread their true names, as that could (in the wrong hands) cause them great harm. The true name of a creature can be manipulated to create any number of effects, from erasing their memories and existence to dominating them completely. Granted there are very few wizards that would summon devils and have the power to distort a true name to such an extent, but an experienced wizard can bring pain to the devil via the true name, and potentially keep a watch on the devil's activities. So, a devil won't give away its true name most of the time, unless it creates a bargain with a creature that would prevent the summoner from doing any of the above listed things or if it is put in a compromising scenario.
True names do more than allow a wizard to summon a devil, true names allow a measure of control over their being. As such, devils wouldn't want to spread their true names, as that could (in the wrong hands) cause them great harm. The true name of a creature can be manipulated to create any number of effects, from erasing their memories and existence to dominating them completely. Granted there are very few wizards that would summon devils and have the power to distort a true name to such an extent, but an experienced wizard can bring pain to the devil via the true name, and potentially keep a watch on the devil's activities. So, a devil won't give away its true name most of the time, unless it creates a bargain with a creature that would prevent the summoner from doing any of the above listed things or if it is put in a compromising scenario.
Hope this helps,
- Smoothies
Maybe in lore and previous editions. The only uses for it in 5e are too summon devils, and gain greater power over them with the Infernal Calling spell.
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Hmm, that’s odd. I haven’t done as much research on 5e as in 3.5 and Pathfinder, but if this is different I’ll have to do some research, as I’m running the Descent into Avernus campaign myself. Thanks for the heads up.
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The text in Appendix A reads,
”Lesser and greater devils can’t freely make deals outside of their home plane, but there are ways it can be done. If a summoner on another plane knows a devil’s true name or has its talisman (as described in “Devil True Names and Talismans” in the Monster Manual), instead of binding the devil into service, the summoner can create a ritual circle that allows the devil to forge a deal. Once the deal is sealed with a contract, the devil returns to the Nine Hells.”
Doesn't this kinda get in the way of the whole ‘soul quota’ thing?
Also, why wouldn't they spread their true names around everywhere? My impression was that you could summon and control devils if you had their true names, and this makes it be the opposite. You'd think that devil true names would be common knowledge, and everyone would know a few devil true names, as there are thousands of devils, and they would try to spread their names everywhere.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I mean, Wizards are notoriously jealous of their knowledge. Would you really want all of your rivals knowing the true name of the devil you discovered? What if they use that devil against you?
But you don't use this knowledge to benefit you much, just get a bit more temporary power if you're lucky, and I think that the devils would have some way of spreading their names without the help of wizards, like writing it down everywhere they visit on the Material Plane, and telling it to everyone you meet. I think this system could have been better. I liked it when true names allowed you to control devils and other creatures.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I guess devils have to find their own way to the material plane. If an imp finds a planar portal in Avernus to the Sword Coast, it would be free to make deals left, right and center, and pop back through the portal in time for tea.
Hey LeviRocks,
True names do more than allow a wizard to summon a devil, true names allow a measure of control over their being. As such, devils wouldn't want to spread their true names, as that could (in the wrong hands) cause them great harm. The true name of a creature can be manipulated to create any number of effects, from erasing their memories and existence to dominating them completely. Granted there are very few wizards that would summon devils and have the power to distort a true name to such an extent, but an experienced wizard can bring pain to the devil via the true name, and potentially keep a watch on the devil's activities. So, a devil won't give away its true name most of the time, unless it creates a bargain with a creature that would prevent the summoner from doing any of the above listed things or if it is put in a compromising scenario.
Hope this helps,
- Smoothies
Maybe in lore and previous editions. The only uses for it in 5e are too summon devils, and gain greater power over them with the Infernal Calling spell.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Hmm, that’s odd. I haven’t done as much research on 5e as in 3.5 and Pathfinder, but if this is different I’ll have to do some research, as I’m running the Descent into Avernus campaign myself. Thanks for the heads up.