One year of the Survival Guide.
Spirits and Summoning
Four Types of Spirits
A goal in ED4 was to try and make spirits more than just a stat block.
Spirits are not common, but not unusual.
Example spirits in the GM Guide show variety.
Inspiration taken from Werewolf and Mage games from White Wolf.
Try to see spirits as more than a tool for summoners. Make them denizens of the setting.
Lower Strength Rating spirits are simpler and more “archetypal”.
Spirits have their own goals and motivations that may not make logical sense.
Ally spirits: Often “Spirits of Man”, but also could be other strange astral fauna.
Beast spirits: “Spirits of Nature”, animals, wild places.
Elementals: Connected to one of the five elements, often focus on strengthening their element.
Insect spirits, or Invae: Goal is usually to expand the hive. Possess and transform people.
Horrors are astral entities, but NOT spirits.
Tasked spirits: A spirit called up by a talent or spell to serve a specific function.
Strength Rating is a guide for how relatively powerful a spirit is. Modifies a spirit’s base game statistics.
Named spirits are more powerful and harder to control.
Might get a Name from their summoner, or develop one on their own.
Spirits can have a diverse array of powers, including access to spells and talents.
Spirits should be characters
Summoning
Ritual process, intentionally designed not to be quick.
Generic summoning, if not handled carefully, can overshadow other characters due to the variety of powers the spirit can bring to bear.
For each success on the Summon test, the spirit stays for one hour.
Spirit Talk or Elemental Tongues determines which powers the spirit will use.
Contest of Wills: Forcing the spirit to do what you want.
Banishing: Sending a spirit back to its native realm.
Failed summoning can cause damage like raw magic.
GM Advice: Look at the examples and the variety possible for spirits.
If you have summoners in your group, look at bringing spirits into your story before they get the summon talent.
Similar concerns to Beastmaster animal companions or Cavalryman mounts with regard to group balance and spotlight time.
Players: Some planning and preparation is using spirits.
Work with GM to develop a spirit you work with frequently.
Weird sidebar question about Sorcerous Apprentice.
Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden.
Take inspiration from legend and folklore, especially from other cultures.
Spirited Away (or Princess Mononoke) by Miyazaki
Once again: Look at spirits as characters.
Potential source of plot hooks, key knowledge.
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