What does summon undead do?

What Does Summon Undead Do?

Summon Undead is a powerful spell in the world of Dungeons and Dragons that allows a caster to conjure forth a variety of undead creatures to do their bidding. In this article, we will delve into the details of what Summon Undead does, exploring its mechanics, limitations, and potential applications.

Conjuring the Undead

To cast Summon Undead, a caster must first have access to the spell, which is typically learned by a wizard or sorcerer. The spell requires a verbal component, a somatic component, and a material component of a vial of holy water (or a substitute of equivalent value). Once the caster has prepared the spell, they can cast it by speaking the incantation and making the required gestures.

What Creatures Can Be Summoned?

Summon Undead allows a caster to summon a variety of undead creatures, including skeletons, zombies, and even more powerful entities such as ghosts and demons. The specific type of creature that can be summoned is determined by the caster’s level and the type of undead they are attempting to summon.

• Skeletons: At 1st level, a caster can summon 1d4 skeletons. These skeletons are unarmored and unshielded, but they are fiercely loyal to the caster and will defend them to the death.
• Zombies: At 5th level, a caster can summon 1d4 zombies. These zombies are slower and less intelligent than skeletons, but they are much more durable and can take a significant amount of damage before being destroyed.
• Ghosts: At 10th level, a caster can summon a ghost. Ghosts are intelligent and can communicate with the caster, but they are also fiercely independent and may not always follow the caster’s commands.
• Demons: At 15th level, a caster can summon a demon. Demons are powerful and malevolent entities that can cause significant harm to both allies and enemies. They are also fiercely independent and may not always follow the caster’s commands.

Summoning and Control

When a caster summons an undead creature, they gain control over the creature and can use it to do their bidding. The creature is bound to the caster and will remain loyal to them until it is destroyed or the caster releases it.

• Control: The caster has complete control over the summoned creature, including its actions, movements, and abilities.
• Loyalty: The summoned creature is fiercely loyal to the caster and will defend them to the death.
• Binding: The summoned creature is bound to the caster and will remain loyal to them until it is destroyed or the caster releases it.

Limitations and Risks

While Summon Undead is a powerful spell, it is not without its limitations and risks.

• Limited Duration: The duration of the spell is limited to 1 hour per caster level.
• Tiring Effect: The spell can cause the caster to become tired and weakened, especially if they are summoning powerful creatures.
• Unpredictable Behavior: Summoned creatures may not always behave as expected, and may even turn against the caster if they are not careful.
• Risk of Corruption: The caster may be at risk of corruption if they summon powerful undead creatures, especially demons.

Strategies and Tactics

Summon Undead can be a powerful tool in the right situation, but it requires careful planning and execution.

• Choose the Right Creature: The caster should choose the right type of creature for the situation, taking into account the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Use the Right Tactics: The caster should use the right tactics to control and command the summoned creature, taking into account its strengths and weaknesses.
• Be Prepared for Unpredictability: The caster should be prepared for the possibility that the summoned creature may not behave as expected, and have a plan in place for dealing with unexpected situations.

Conclusion

Summon Undead is a powerful spell that can be used to conjure forth a variety of undead creatures to do a caster’s bidding. However, it requires careful planning and execution, and carries significant risks and limitations. By understanding the mechanics and limitations of the spell, a caster can use it to great effect in the right situation.

Appendix

Table 1: Summoned Creatures

Table 2: Summoning and Control

Table 3: Limitations and Risks

Note: The above article is a rewritten version of the original content, with additional information and clarification on the mechanics and limitations of the Summon Undead spell. The tables and headings have been added to make the article more readable and easier to understand.