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SummoningSystemThe Summoning System is a variation on the standard Magic system in the AnimeRPG rules. Although this would be normally not be common enough on Thirteen to be an example ability, on Sharna summoning is far more common. This should be considered the standard unique ability for summoning on Sharna.
Introduction to SummoningWhile Magic is a power that just merely defies the laws of normal existence, Summoning is a power that allows a summoner to borrow power from very powerful spirits (called |Espers|, although there are a few things that can be summoned that aren't Espers) who perform a particular task under an agreement with the summoner. Practitioners of Summoning rarely bother with non-summoning magics and the realm of conjuration is beyond that of nearly all standard mages.
ContractSummoning requires a contract with one of these powerful spirits. This contract requires an agreement by the individual(s) summoned and the summoner. Typically, summoners agree to perform a quest (or series of quests) in exchange for the spirit's power, although more unorthodox contracts are far from unheard of.
Calling and ConjuringA contract allows the summoner to ask the spirit (via summoning) to perform one of a limited set of actions and then return to their domain. This is known as Calling and is the most common method of using a spirit's power. Spirits will allow a summoner to call the spirit to perform a set of actions up to their Capacity, or the maximum number of abilities per character. Each of the actions must be something the spirit would agree to, and examples are listed in the Esper section of the NPC listing. In addition, a spirit can only allow for abilities up to a certain power level, called its Limit. Alternately, a strong enough summoner can simply bring the spirit out for a length of time to fight along side the conjurer instead of performing a single task at a time. This is known as Conjuring. Conjured spirits cannot be called, and vice versa. Instead, the summoner can conjure any contracted spirit at one power level higher than the standard Limit.
Summoning Uses and Limitations
Benefits to Knowing SummonsSimply having the ability to summon creatures has some added benefits. Anyone that has the Summoning Skill and a contract can perform orisons. These orisons are very simple requests that a spirit would not expend any effort to perform, such as asking Shiva to cool down your drink. Orisons cannot have any direct combat effect because they are too weak to act as either an attack or defense. Using these orisons does not affect the Limit of a particular summon, but the summoner can only perform orisons based on any spirit they hold the contract for.
Anyone that has any contract with a spirit and Summoning Skill also automatically has the proficiency Summoning Lore (INT) at a skill level that corresponds to the most powerful type of call or conjure they can perform. The table below shows what power levels of calls and conjures grant what skill level of Summoning Lore.
Summoning versus MagicSummoning and Magic are similar in many of the ways they work, but very different in others. In general, summoning is significantly more powerful than standard casting and is not reliant upon the intelligence of the summoner so much as their personal charisma or decision making skills. On the other hand, mages are significantly more versatile due to not having to agree with a spirit to perform a particular action. Both being forms of magic, both standard spellcasters and summoners require the same particular talent for magic.
Calls/Conjures Allowed per LevelThe number of Calls or Conjures allowed per level is the same as the number of spells allowed per level. See Section 3.1 of the AnimeRPG Rules PDF.
Acquiring Summon AbilitiesBasic RequirementsSimilar to the requirements for spells, the requirements of acquiring summon abilities are different for each power level.
Basically, the three things that are required of a summoner include a capacity to convince or lead (Charm or Leadership), the Summoning Skill, and Magic Talents. The Summoning Skill is a proficiency that costs 10 SP and cannot be reduced by any talent. Purchasing the Summoning Skill also grants you one contract with a Moderate Limit or lower spirit for free, and an additional one contract for each Magic Talent you have. So if the summoner has the Summoning Skill and two Magic Talents, the summoner will start the game with three Moderate Limit or lower spirit contracts.
Buying Abilities Individually or Automatically.The cost of calls or conjures is the same as the cost of spells. See Section 3.2 of the AnimeRPG Rules PDF. Keep in mind that you still require a contract for any spirits you summon and you cannot exceed Capacity of any spirit, even if you buy the Unlimited Summoning Talent ability.
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