Summon [Core]
As a standard action, you may spend a spell point to summon a creature you have made a contract with (called a companion) causing it to appear in an adjacent square, ready to act on your following turn. You must concentrate to maintain the companion’s presence, but may always spend an additional spell point to allow the summoned creature to remain for 1 minute per caster level without concentration.
Companions can take many forms; a caster could contract with sympathetic angels or demons, elemental spirits, or primordial beings only given form after the contract is made. Thus, a companion could have the form of a knight in armor, a demonic dog, a flying anthropomorphic cat, or indeed virtually any other form. You cannot choose a companion with the exact same appearance as another creature.
When you gain the Conjuration sphere, you automatically gain a single companion of your choice. If a companion is conjured multiple times during a day, they do not regain hit points or other resources spent. If a companion is reduced to 0 hp, they instantly disappear and cannot be summoned until the following day.A companion only recovers hp and resources (unless restored through the Heal skill or magical means) when the caster rests to recover spell points. A companion may be dismissed as a free action.
Companions may not carry equipment or items back and forth when summoned and so cannot be used to store items in their home plane or bring items to the caster’s plane. The exception to this rule is equipment gained through Conjuration talents.
Whenever you gain a companion, they immediately gain 1 (form) talent of your choice. Whenever you select a (form) talent as a magic talent, apply its effects to only a single companion. You may select (form) talents multiple times, but no more than once per companion, unless the talent says otherwise.
Type Talents: An individual companion may only benefit from a single talent with the (type) descriptor, though individual talents may still be taken multiple times if so noted. These talents otherwise function as normal for (form) talents. The Undead Creature talent in Spheres of Power counts as a (type) talent instead of a (form) talent.
Every companion comes with one of the following base forms, chosen by the caster. Once made, this choice cannot be altered. Companions also gain power as their caster’s power grows, according to Table: Companion.
Table: Companion
Caster's Caster level | Hit Dice | Base Attack Bonus | Skill Points | Feats | Natural Armor Bonus | Good Saves | Bad Saves | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 1 | +1 | 1 | 1 | +0 | +2 | +0 | - |
2nd | 2 | +2 | 2 | 1 | +1 | +3 | +0 | Evasion |
3rd | 3 | +3 | 3 | 2 | +1 | +3 | +1 | - |
4th | 3 | +3 | 3 | 2 | +1 | +3 | +1 | - |
5th | 4 | +4 | 4 | 2 | +2 | +4 | +1 | Ability Score Increase |
6th | 5 | +5 | 5 | 3 | +2 | +4 | +1 | Devotion |
7th | 6 | +6 | 6 | 3 | +3 | +5 | +2 | - |
8th | 6 | +6 | 6 | 3 | +3 | +5 | +2 | - |
9th | 7 | +7 | 7 | 4 | +3 | +5 | +2 | Multiattack |
10th | 8 | +8 | 8 | 4 | +4 | +6 | +2 | Ability Score Increase |
11th | 9 | +9 | 9 | 5 | +4 | +6 | +3 | - |
12th | 9 | +9 | 9 | 5 | +4 | +6 | +3 | - |
13th | 10 | +10 | 10 | 5 | +5 | +7 | +3 | - |
14th | 11 | +11 | 11 | 6 | +5 | +7 | +3 | Improved Evasion |
15th | 12 | +12 | 12 | 6 | +6 | +8 | +4 | Ability Score Increase |
16th | 12 | +12 | 12 | 6 | +6 | +8 | +4 | - |
17th | 13 | +13 | 13 | 7 | +6 | +8 | +4 | - |
18th | 14 | +14 | 14 | 7 | +7 | +9 | +4 | - |
19th | 15 | +15 | 15 | 8 | +7 | +9 | +5 | - |
20th | 15 | +15 | 15 | 8 | +7 | +9 | +5 | - |
(Note: A companion does not gain power from temporary increases to caster level; i.e., from a thaumaturge’s forbidden lore ability or from certain boons.)
Avian: Size Medium; Speed 20 ft., Fly1 15 ft. (average); AC +2 natural armor; Saves Fort (good), Ref (good), Will (bad); Attack Bite (primary, 1d4 Medium, 1d3 Small), 2 talons (primary, 1d4 Medium, 1d3 Small, creature must be airborne to use); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Avian creatures are birds and bird-like magical beasts and outsiders. An avian companion has a head, 2 legs, and 2 wings.
1: This fly speed only functions on the companion’s turn. If the companion is not on a surface that can support it on the end of its turn, it glides to the ground, taking no falling damage. If the companion gains a natural fly speed from the Avian Creature (form) talent, increase the maneuverability of that speed by 1 step.
Biped: Size Medium; Speed 30 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Saves Fort (good), Ref (bad), Will (good); Attack 2 slams (1d4); Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Bipeds are usually humanoids, and begin with 2 legs, 2 arms, and a head.
Ooze: Size Medium; Speed 20 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Saves Fort (good), Ref (bad), Will (bad); Attack slam (primary, 1d6 Medium, 1d4 Small); Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 8, Con 16, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 11.
Ooze creatures are usually oozes, puddings, or other amorphous creatures and lack discernable limbs. An ooze companion may not be tripped unless gaining legs from another source.
Orb: Size Medium; Speed 5 ft. Hover1 30 ft. (average); AC +2 natural armor; Saves Fort (bad), Ref (good), Will (good); Attack bite or slam (choose 1) (1d6); Ability Scores Str 7, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 102, Wis 12, Cha 11.
Orb creatures are lantern archons, will-o-wisps, gibbering orbs, and other mystical fey, outsiders, constructs, or aberrations with a floating sphere-like appearance and supernatural movement. An orb lacks any limbs, but may treat its body as a head for the purpose of adding natural attacks. An orb companion may not be tripped unless gaining legs from another source.
1: An orb may float up to 5 ft. plus 5 ft. per 5 Hit Dice above the ground, with a horizontal movement speed of 30 feet. When floating this way, fly checks are not required to hover or change direction. When falling the orb may choose to descend at a slower rate to control its fall and to negate all falling damage it would take. Each round it descends 30 ft., and may move in another direction for 30 feet. It may choose to drift sideways, gliding forwards while descending, or down, safely increasing its rate of descent. It may even choose to drift ‘upwards’ to reduce its rate of descent, even allowing it to negate it entirely and hover midair (though cannot move horizontally if it begins its turn doing so). This is a supernatural ability.
2: The Skillful Companion (form) talent raises increases this to 13 if taken.
Quadruped: Size Medium; Speed 40 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Saves Fort (good), Ref (good), Will (bad); Attack bite (1d6); Ability Scores Str 14, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Quadrupeds are usually beasts, and begin with 4 legs and a head.
Serpentine: Size Medium; Speed 20 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Saves Fort (bad), Ref (good), Will (good); Attack bite (1d6), tail slap (1d6); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Serpentine creatures are snakes, fish, and other elongated creatures. They begin with a head, but no arms or legs.
Vermin: Size Medium; Speed 20 ft., Climb 20 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Saves Fort (good), Ref (good), Will (bad); Attack bite (1d6); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Vermin are usually insects or arachnids, and begin with either 6 or 8 legs and a head and gain a +6 bonus to CMD verses trip attempts from its additional legs.
You may choose to make a companion Small size instead of Medium size. In this case, the companion gains a +2 bonus to Dexterity, a -2 penalty to Strength, as well as the usual changes for being Small (+4 Stealth bonus, +1 AC, +1 to-hit, decreased damage size, etc.).
A companion gains 2 skill points per level (reduced to 1 for low Intelligence) and gains the following class skills: Climb (Str), Fly (Dex), Knowledge (Planes), Stealth (Dex), Swim (Str). They possess a d10 Hit Dice and gain 2 good saves and 1 bad save dependent on the creature’s form. A Companion begins understanding and speaking one language that the caster also speaks.
Feats: A companion begins with one feat, and gains another feat at every odd Hit Die. A companion may gain any PC or monster feat for which it qualifies. While a companion may gain casting abilities through feats such as Basic Magic Training or Advanced Magic Training, a companion can never possess the Conjuration sphere.
Evasion: At 2 Hit Dice, a companion gains evasion, taking no damage on a successful Reflex save against an effect that grants half damage on a successful Reflex save. At 11 Hit Dice, they gain improved evasion, only take half damage on failed Reflex saves against effects that grant half damage on a successful Reflex save.
Ability Score Increase: Just like PCs and Monsters, a companion gains a permanent +1 bonus to an ability score of the caster’s choice for every 4 Hit Dice possessed.
Devotion: At 5 Hit Dice, a companion gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against charm and enchantment effects, such as enchantment school spells or the mind sphere.
Multiattack: At 7 Hit Dice, a companion gains Multiattack as a bonus feat if it has 3 or more natural attacks and does not already have that feat. If it does not have the requisite 3 or more natural attacks (or it is reduced to less than 3 attacks), the companion instead gains a second attack with one of its natural weapons, albeit at a –5 penalty. If the companion later gains 3 or more natural attacks, it loses this additional attack and instead gains Multiattack.
Conjuration Talents
Call the Departed
If your companion is reduced to 0 hit points and disappears, you may re-summon it by increasing the spell point cost of summon by one. The companion reappears at one quarter of its maximum hit points with 1 temporary negative level. Any other conditions or ongoing effects on the companion are removed. This negative level lasts until you rest to regain spell points but otherwise may not be removed. Negative levels from multiple uses of this ability stack. If the companion accumulates negative levels equal to its Hit Dice, it may not be summoned again until the negative levels are removed by resting to regain spell points. 1 Hit Die companions may be summoned by this ability once per day, but take a -1 penalty on all d20 checks in place of the negative level.
Extra Companion [Core]
You gain an additional companion. Whenever you summon a companion, you must select only one of your companions, although you may have multiple companions summoned at once. You may select this talent multiple times. Each time it is selected, gain another companion.
Greater Summoning [Core]
When you spend a spell point to allow a companion to remain for 1 minute per caster level without concentration, it instead remains for 10 minutes per caster level.
Link [Core]
You gain a telepathic link to each of your companions. So long as you are on the same plane as one of your companions, you may communicate with that creature over any distance.
Ranged Summoning [Core]
When you summon a companion, they may appear in any square within Close range, rather than only in an adjacent square.
Spell Conduit
Your companions can deliver touch spells and sphere abilities for you. If you and one of your companions are in contact at the time you cast a touch spell or sphere ability requiring a melee touch attack, you can designate your companion as the “toucher.” You may touch a companion within your natural reach as a free action during your turn to initiate this contact; your companion may do the same during its turn. The companion can then deliver the touch spell or ability just as you would. As usual, if you cast another spell or sphere ability before the touch is delivered, the touch spell or ability dissipates.
You may take this talent a multiple times. If taken twice, the companion may be anywhere within close range of you when you cast the touch spell or ability and may also deliver ranged touch attacks, using its attack modifiers and serving as the effect’s point of origin. Each additional time this talent is taken, increase the range at which this ability functions by one step, to a maximum of long range.
Spell-Linked Companions
When you target yourself with a sphere effect, you may spend an additional spell point to apply the effect to up to one Conjuration sphere companion, +1 companion per 5 caster levels. All affected companions must be within 5 ft. + 5 ft. per 5 caster levels. This ability may be used even on effects that normally can only target the caster.
Form Talents
Additional Limbs (form) [Core]
Your companion gains one of the following sets of limbs: a head, 2 arms, 2 legs, a tail. This does not automatically grant any additional attacks. See the alteration sphere for descriptions of bonuses gained from these limbs. A companion may gain this talent multiple times. The effects stack.
Aligned Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion is connected to great forces of alignment, such as angels, devils, or other extraplaners. Choose one end of the alignment spectrum your companion possesses (good, evil, lawful, chaotic). Your companion becomes connected to that alignment, and may smite a target of its opposed alignment once per day, as the Paladin class feature. Your companion may smite its opposed alignment an additional time per day for every 7 Hit Dice possessed.
Altered Size (form) [Core]
Your companion increases or decreases permanently by 1 size category. A companion may gain this talent multiple times. The effects stack. A companion cannot become smaller than Diminutive or larger than Huge. Size changes cause the following changes to ability scores, which are cumulative:
Original Size | New Size | Str | Dex | Con |
---|---|---|---|---|
Small | Tiny | -4 | +2 | - |
Tiny | Diminutive | -2 | +2 | - |
Medium | Large | +4 | -2 | +2 |
Large | Huge | +4 | -2 | +2 |
Amorphous Creature (form)
You may spend an additional spell point to choose a different base form for your companion each time you summon it. Any (form) talents that cannot be applied to the new base form become inactive until a valid base form is chosen.
Animal Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion has the qualities of a great beast. It gains a +20 ft bonus to its land speed, as well as the scent property. It gains an additional +10 ft bonus to its land speed for every 2 Hit Dice.
Armored Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion gains armor as appropriate for its form and appearance (a suit of armor, a tougher hide, buffeting winds, etc.). Your companion gains a +2 armor bonus, +1 at every odd Hit Die beyond 1st.
Avian Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion gains wings and a 30 ft fly speed with a maneuverability of average. This increases by 10 ft per 2 Hit Dice. Alternately, your companion may gain flight through magical means: it does not gain wings, instead gaining a maneuverability of perfect. This then becomes a supernatural ability, and is subject to anti-magic fields and other such limitations.
Battle Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion is learned in the ways of war. It gains proficiency with all simple weapons and when summoned, appears with up to 2 weapons it is proficient with (masterwork, but of unremarkable composition). These weapons gain a +1 enhancement bonus for every 3 Hit Dice possessed to a maximum of +5. A companion may gain this form talent twice. If gained a second time, it gains proficiency with all martial weapons and treats its Hit Dice as fighter levels when meeting the prerequisites for feats.
Bestial (form) [Core]
Your companion gains a new set of natural attacks chosen from the list below. A companion must possess the prerequisite limbs and cannot already have a natural attack attached to that limb. A companion may gain this talent multiple times. Each time they gain this talent, they gain a new set of natural attacks.
- 2 claw attacks (primary, 1d4, 1d3 small, requires arms).
- 2 hoof attacks (secondary, 1d4, 1d3 small, requires 2 legs, but creature must possess at least 4).
- 1 tentacle attack (secondary, 1d4, 1d3 small, no requirement).
- 2 wing buffets (secondary, 1d4, 1d3 small, requires wings).
- 1 tail slap (secondary, 1d6, 1d4 small, requires tail).
- 1 bite attack (primary, 1d6, 1d4 small, requires head).
- 1 gore attack (primary, 1d6, 1d4 small, requires head).
- 2 slam attacks (primary, 1d4, 1d3 small, requires arms).
- 2 pincers (secondary, 1d6, 1d4 small, requires arms).
- 1 sting (primary, 1d4, 1d3 small, requires tail).
- 2 talons (primary, 1d4, 1d3 small, requires 2 legs and creature must be airborne to use).
Boon Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion’s abilities and Hit Dice are determined as if your caster level were 5 higher, to a maximum effective caster level equal to your character level.
Camouflaged Companion (form)
Your companion may shift its coloration to mimic its environment, granting a circumstance bonus on stealth checks equal to 1 + 1/2 the companions Hit Dice. Additionally, the companion gains 1 rank in the Stealth skill per Hit Die; if it already possesses ranks in the Stealth skill, those ranks may be immediately re-trained at no cost.
Capable Companion (form)
Your companion gains a bonus feat for which it qualifies, chosen at the time this talent is taken. This talent may be taken more than once for each companion; each time it grants an additional bonus feat to that companion.
Climbing Companion (form)
Your companion may climb virtually any surface, no matter how slick or sheer. It can climb and travel on vertical surfaces or even traverse ceilings as well as a spider does. The companion must have at least 3 limbs free to climb in this manner. The companion gains a climb speed of 20 ft., including the +8 racial bonus on Climb skill checks from having a climb speed; furthermore, it need not make Climb checks to traverse a vertical or horizontal surface (even upside down). A companion climbing this way retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing. If the companion already possesses a climb speed, it gains a +10 ft. bonus to that climb speed.
Crafting Creature (form)
You may treat your companion as if it had the Cooperative CraftingAPG feat and possessed all your Craft skill ranks and item creation feats. All Craft and Profession skills are class skills for your companion. This talent does not remove the need for your companion to have appropriate anatomy in order to be capable of crafting.
Draconic Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion is draconic in nature. It gains a breath weapon which it may use once per 1d4 rounds. You must decide when this talent is gained whether your companion will breath a 30 ft cone or a 60 ft line and whether it deals fire, cold, acid, or electricity damage. It deals 1d8 damage per 2 Hit Dice (minimum: 1d8), and creatures may make Reflex saves (DC 10 + 1/2 Hit Dice + Constitution modifier) for half damage.
Earth Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion is a creature used to living in the ground. It gains a 15 ft Burrow speed and Tremorsense 10 ft. Its Burrow speed and Tremorsense increase by 5 ft per 2 Hit Dice.
Elemental Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion is a being attuned to a particular element. Choose either cold, fire, acid, or electricity. Your companion deals 1d3 damage of that element’s type with all of its natural attacks. This damage increases by one die size per 5 Hit Dice.
Explosive Companion (form)
When your companion is reduced to 0 hit points or fewer, it explodes in a burst of energy, dealing 1d6 damage per Hit Die to all creatures within 5 ft. + 5 ft. per 5 Hit Dice. This damage is either acid, cold, electricity, or fire, chosen when this talent it gained. A successful Reflex save versus your Conjuration sphere DC halves this damage.
Extreme Adaptation (form)
Your companion suffers no harm from being in a hot or cold environment and can exist comfortably in conditions between -50 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 and 60 degrees Celsius) without having to make Fortitude saves. The companion’s equipment is likewise protected. This doesn’t provide any protection from fire or cold damage, nor does it protect against other environmental hazards such as smoke, lack of air, and so forth.
If your companion also possesses Avian Creature, it is acclimated to living at high altitudes and additionally can treat its altitude zone as one lower, plus an additional 1 zone lower per 7 Hit Dice.
If your companion also possesses Water Creature, it is immune to the pressures of the ocean and takes no damage from water pressure.
Fortified Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion’s Constitution increases by 2, +1 per 2 Hit Dice.
Infectious Creature (form)
Choose one of the following diseases: blinding sickness, bubonic plague, cackle fever, filth fever, leprosy, mindfire, red ache, shakes, or slimy doom. When a creature takes damage from a manufactured or natural weapon attack made by your companion, it must succeed on a Fortitude save with a DC of 10 + 1/2 your companion’s Hit Dice + Constitution modifier or contract the disease immediately (the onset period does not apply). Use the disease’s listed frequency and save DC to determine further effects. Regardless of the success or failure of this save, the creature is immune to further applications of this ability by your companion for 24 hours.
Lingering Companion (form) [Core]
When you spend a spell point to allow this companion to remain for 1 minute per caster level without concentration, you may spend an additional spell point to allow it to remain for 1 hour per level instead. If you also possess the Greater Summoning talent, your companion instead remains for 1 day, only disappearing when you rest to regain spell points. Once you have spent a spell point to summon such a creature for a full day, you may dismiss and re-summon this companion at will without having to spend any additional spell points that day.
Magic Attacks (form) [Core]
Your companion’s natural attacks are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. At 7 Hit Dice they are treated as cold iron for this purpose, and at 14 Hit Dice they are treated as adamantine.
Magical Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion’s Charisma increases by 1/2 its Hit Dice (minimum: +1). It also gains a spell pool equal to its Charisma modifier and a caster level equal to 1/2 its Hit Dice. The companion may select magic talents with its feats and treats Charisma as its casting ability modifier. With GM permission, your companion may also gain a casting tradition. A companion can never possess the Conjuration sphere.
Monstrous Attacks (form) [Core]
Your companion gains one of the following traits. This trait applies an effect or ability to one of its natural attacks. See the Alteration sphere for details on these abilities. A companion may gain this talent multiple times, gaining a new trait each time. It cannot attach the same trait multiple times to the same natural attack.
- Trip, grab, pull, lunge, constrict, poison.
Mount (form)
This talent may only be applied to companions with a base form suitable to serve as a mount (usually quadruped, serpentine, or vermin, though others may be allowed at the GM’s discretion). Your companion always acts on your initiative while you are mounted upon it and always appears equipped with a suitable military saddle for its form that does not count against its carrying capacity. You may mount such a companion as part of casting summon if the companion appears within your natural reach. You gain a +1 insight bonus on Ride checks while mounted on your companion. This bonus increases by +1 per 5 caster levels.
If your companion possesses a burrow speed or the earth glide ability, you may travel with it while mounted. This does not grant any ability to perceive your surroundings or any ability to breathe while underground.
Mystical Companion (form)
Your companion gains a pool of ki points, supernatural energy it can use to accomplish amazing feats, as the unchained monk class feature. The number of points in your companion’s ki pool is equal to 1/2 his Hit Dice + its Wisdom modifier (total minimum 1). As long as it has at least 1 point in its ki pool, its unarmed strikes and natural attacks are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. It may take ki powers from the unchained monk list in place of feats, using its Hit Dice in place of unchained monk levels for meeting prerequisites.
Natural Aspect (form) [Core]
Your companion gains one of the following special monster qualities. A companion may gain this talent multiple times. Each time it is gained, they gain a new trait from the list. See the Alteration sphere for a description of each ability.
- Pounce, leaping attack, rend, trample, rock catching, rock throwing, Fast Healing 1.
Powerful Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion’s Strength increases by 2, +1 per 2 Hit Dice.
Quick Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion’s Dexterity increases by 2, +1 per 2 Hit Dice.
Raging Companion (form)
Your companion gains the ability to rage, as the barbarian class feature, for a number of rounds per day equal to the higher of its Constitution modifier and its Hit Dice. While in rage, the companion gains a +4 morale bonus to its Strength and Constitution, as well as a +2 morale bonus on Will saves. In addition, it takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class. The increase to Constitution grants the companion 2 hit points per Hit Dice, but these disappear when the rage ends and are not lost first like temporary hit points. While in rage, a companion cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
The companion can end its rage as a free action and is fatigued after rage for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the rage. The companion cannot enter a new rage while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise enter rage multiple times during a single encounter or combat. The duration of the fatigue or exhaustion expires even when the companion is not summoned. If the companion falls unconscious, its rage immediately ends, placing it in peril of dismissal from hit point loss.
The companion may take rage powers in place of feats, if it qualifies for them, using its Hit Dice in place of barbarian levels.
Special: If your GM permits, you may instead use the rage ability per the unchained barbarian, modifying the above ability accordingly.
Ravenous Creature (form)
You companion gains the swallow whole ability, allowing it to make a grapple attempt to swallow a creature that it has grappled at the start of its turn as a standard action. If the companion possesses a bite attack, a successful grapple check to swallow whole deals bite damage.
Each round the creature remains swallowed, it is dealt 1d6 bludgeoning damage plus an additional 1d6 acid damage per 3 Hit Dice (minimum 0d6). Your companion may swallow creatures up to one size smaller than itself. This trait may be taken twice; the second time allows your companion to swallow creatures up to their own size and grants a bonus to CMB and CMD equal to 1 plus 1 per 3 Hit Dice on grapple checks made to swallow creatures or to prevent them from escaping once swallowed. More than one creature may be swallowed at a time, but you may not exceed the maximum total size that can be swallowed, counting two Tiny creatures as one Small creature, two Small creatures as one Medium creature, etc.
A swallowed creature can try to cut its way free with any light slashing or piercing weapon, or it can try to escape the grapple. The amount of cutting damage required to get free is equal to 1/10 the companion’s total hit points. This damage is inflicted on the companion as normal.
The Armor Class of the interior of a creature that swallows whole is 10 + 1/2 its natural armor bonus, with no modifiers for size or Dexterity. If a swallowed creature cuts its way out, the swallowing creature cannot use swallow whole again until the companion is receives healing equal to the damage dealt. If the swallowed creature escapes the grapple, success puts it back in the attacker’s mouth, where it may be bitten (if the companion possesses a bite attack) or swallowed again.
Resistance (form) [Core]
Choose one energy type from the following list: fire, acid, cold, electricity, or sonic. Your companion gains Resistance to that element equal to 5+ its Hit Dice. You may select this talent multiple times, granting Resistance against a different element each time.
Roguish Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion is a creature of guile. Your companion deals +1d6 sneak attack damage as the rogue class feature, which increases to +2d6 at 7 Hit Dice and +3d6 at 14 Hit Dice. In addition, your companion may select rogue talents as feats. At 10 Hit Dice, it can select advanced talents as feats.
Sage Companion (form)
Your companion’s Intelligence increases by 2, +1 per 2 Hit Dice and gains a bonus on skill checks to identify the abilities and weaknesses of creatures equal to half its Hit Dice (minimum 1). This increase stacks with the Skillful Companion talent. Your companion gains additional skill points from this increased Intelligence as usual.
Sanguine Creature (form)
Choose one of the following abilities. This talent may be taken more than once; each time a different ability may be gained:
Bleed: Choose one natural attack your companion possesses. That attack inflicts 1d2 bleed damage. This bleeding can be stopped by a successful DC 15 Heal skill check or through the application of any magical healing. The die size of this bleed damage increases by one size for every 4 Hit Dice the companion possesses (1d3, 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, etc.).
Blood Drain: Your companion drains blood at the end of its turn if it grapples a foe, inflicting 1 point of Constitution damage. This damage increases to 1d2 at 5 Hit Dice, then one die size for every 5 additional Hit Dice thereafter (1d3, 1d4, etc.).
Thirst: Your companion gains 1 temporary hit point per Hit Die of the grappled creature whenever it uses its blood drain ability. These temporary hit points last for 1 minute per Hit Die of the companion and do not stack with other uses of this ability. The companion must have the blood drain option of this talent to be eligible to gain this ability.
Shadow Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion is a being made of shadow. It gains Darkvision 60 ft, low-light vision, and a +8 racial bonus to Stealth checks made in dim light or darkness. Your companion takes half damage from attacks and magic originating from corporeal creatures and only deals half damage to corporeal creatures with its own attacks and magic. However, your companion deals full damage to incorporeal creatures and suffers full damage from incorporeal creatures.
Shield Bearer (form) [Core]
Your companion gains the shield proficiency feat, and when summoned, appears carrying a type of shield it is proficient with. If the creature possesses the Tower Shield Proficiency feat, this may be a tower shield. The shield is masterwork, but of unremarkable composition. This shield gains a +1 enhancement bonus for every 3 Hit Dice your companion possesses, to a maximum of +5.
Skillful Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion’s Intelligence increases by 3 (raising its base Intelligence to 10), and it gains an additional skill point per Hit Die (raising its total to 3 per level). In addition, it gains 3 new class skills of your choice.
Spell-warded Companion (form)
Your companion gains spell resistance equal to 10 + its Hit Dice. This spell resistance does not apply to any effects originating from you.
Staff-wielding Companion (form)
Your companion appears with a staff of a sphere chosen when this talent is gained. The staff gains a +1 enhancement bonus for every 3 Hit Dice possessed (minimum +1) to a maximum of +5. This enhancement bonus applies to both the caster level of the chosen sphere as well as to attack and damage, treating the staff as a quarterstaff appropriately sized for the companion. If any creature other than the companion wields the staff, they treat it as a mundane masterwork quarterstaff. The companion is proficient with this staff. If the companion possesses the Battle Creature talent, it may choose to combine the benefits of the staff with the benefits of one of the weapons gained from that talent. As usual, the enhancement bonuses do not stack.
Stinking Companion (form)
Your companion gains one of the abilities listed below.
This talent may be taken more than once; each time a different ability may be gained:
Stench: Your companion secretes a stinking chemical offensive to most living things. Any creature other than you adjacent to your companion must make a Fortitude save or be sickened until 1d6 rounds after they are no longer adjacent. A creature that saves against this effect is immune to any instance of it from the same companion for 24 hours. This is a poison effect.
Nauseating Spray: As a standard action your companion may spray noxious chemicals in a 15-ft. cone. Any creature in this cone must make a Fortitude save with a DC of 10 + 1/2 Hit Dice + Constitution modifier or be sickened for 1d6 rounds. This is a poison effect.
Superior Senses (form)
Choose one of the following benefits:
Your companion gains either low-light vision, darkvision 60 ft., or the scent ability. If your companion possesses darkvision from another source, increase its range by 30 feet. If it already possesses the scent ability, it may either increase its range to 60 ft. or gain the keen scent ability. Keen scent: The companion can notice other creatures by scent in a 180-ft. radius underwater and can detect blood in the water at ranges of up to a mile.
If you or your companion possesses the Life sphere, your companion may gain lifesense 30 feet. The creature notices and locates living creatures within range, just as if it possessed the blindsight ability. You must spend 2 additional spell points as part of your summon to grant your companion the benefit of this ability.
If you or your companion possesses the Mind sphere, your companion may gain thoughtsense 30 feet. This ability functions similarly to blindsight. Nondetection, mind blank, and similar effects can block thoughtsense. Thoughtsense can distinguish between sentient (Intelligence 3 or greater) and nonsentient (Intelligence 1-2) creatures, but otherwise provides no information about the creatures it detects. You must spend 2 additional spell points as part of your summon to grant your companion the benefit of this ability.
If you or your companion possesses the earth package of the Nature sphere, your companion may either gain the ability to see through up to 5 ft. of dirt and stone or gain tremorsense 30 feet. A companion with tremorsense is sensitive to vibrations in the ground and can automatically pinpoint the location of anything that is in contact with the ground. Aquatic creatures with tremorsense can also sense the location of creatures moving through water. You must spend 1 additional spell point as part of your summon to grant your companion tremorsense.
If you or your companion possesses the fire package of the Nature sphere, your companion may gain the ability to see through both magical and mundane smoke, ignoring the miss chance for these obstructions, up to its normal range of vision.
If you or your companion possesses the metal package of the Nature sphere, your companion gains the scent metal ability. This ability functions much the same as the scent ability, except that the range is 90 ft. and the companion can only use it to sense metal objects (including creatures wearing or carrying metal objects). If the companion already has the scent ability, increase the range of this ability by the companion’s scent range.
If you or your companion possesses the plantlife package of the Nature sphere, your companion can see through thick plant matter as though it were transparent, with a range of 30 feet. Leaves, vines, greenery, and undergrowth offer no concealment to the companion’s sight, though solid wood still blocks its line of sight.
If you or your companion possesses the water package of the Nature sphere, your companion may see through fog, mist, and murky water as if they were perfectly clear, ignoring the miss chance for these obstructions, up to its normal range of vision.
If you or your companion possesses the Telekinesis sphere, your companion may gain touchsight 30 feet. You must spend 2 additional spell points as part of your summon to grant your companion the benefit from this ability.
If you or your companion possesses the Dark sphere, your companion may gain the see in darkness ability. You must spend 1 additional spell point as part of your summon to grant your companion the benefit from this ability.
A companion may gain this talent multiple times. Each time it gains this talent, select a new sense or increase the range of their darkvision by 30 feet. If a selected ability requires an additional spell point cost, the caster must choose to grant the ability and pay the cost each time the companion is summoned.
Thorned Companion (form)
The companion grows spines, quills, or thorns. These may be treated as armor spikes of their size (1d6 Medium, 1d4 Small, 20x2, piercing) but may be enhanced as natural weapons and may be wielded as a secondary natural weapon if beneficial. The companion is automatically proficient with these spikes. This talent may be taken a second time, allowing the companion to launch spines as a thrown weapon (1d6 Medium, 1d4 Small, 20x2, piercing) with a range increment of 20 feet. The companion may draw the spines as a free action and throw them for any attacks it is entitled to normally. Launched spines regenerate at the end of its turn.
Transformative (form) [Core]
Your companion can change its appearance at will. It gains Disguise as a class skill and can make Disguise checks as a standard action. This is a spell-like ability, with a caster level equal to its Hit Dice.
Trapbreaking Companion (form)
Your companion is a natural talent for the trapbreaker’s art. The companion adds 1/2 its Hit Dice to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). The companion can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps. It may take rogue talents in place of feats, if it qualifies for them, using its Hit Dice in place of rogue levels. At 10 Hit Dice, it can select advanced talents as feats.
Water Creature (form) [Core]
Your companion gains a 30 ft Swim speed, the ability to breath underwater, and Blindsense 15 ft (only in water). For every 2 Hit Dice, the Swim speed increases by 10 ft and the Blindsense increases by 5 ft.
Web Spinner (form)
Your companion gains the ability to use webs to support itself and up to one additional creature of the same size. In addition, it can throw a web up to once per minute as a standard action. This is similar to an attack with a net but has a maximum range of 50 ft., with a range increment of 10 ft., and is effective against targets up to one size category larger than the companion. An entangled creature can escape with a successful Escape Artist check or burst the web with a Strength check. Both are standard actions with a DC equal to 10 + 1/2 the companion’s Hit Dice + the companion’s Con modifier. Attempts to burst a web by those caught in it take a –4 penalty.
The companion can create sheets of sticky webbing in adjacent squares up to three times its size (so a Medium companion can create a sheet that is 15 ft. by 15 ft.). Doing so requires a full-round action and counts as having used its web. Approaching creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Perception check to notice a web; otherwise they stumble into it and become trapped as though by a successful web attack. Attempts to escape or burst the webbing gain a +5 bonus if the trapped creature has something to walk on or grab while pulling free. Each 5-ft.-square section of web has a number of hit points equal to the Hit Dice of the companion that created it and DR 5/—.
If the companion possesses a climb speed, it can move across its own web at its climb speed. While touching a web it created, the companion can pinpoint the location of any creature touching its web. If your companion is dismissed, any webs it created immediately disappear.
Willful Companion (form) [Core]
Your companion’s Wisdom increases by 2, +1 per 2 Hit Dice. In addition, whenever your companion rolls a Will saving throw, it may roll twice and take the higher result. If it may already roll twice and take the higher result, it instead rolls three times.
Type Talents
Constructed (type)
Your companion is mechanical in its nature, whether it is a full construct or a modified biological creature. While it is still an outsider, magical effects and spells that specifically target objects or constructs may affect the companion as if it were one. The companion gains moderate fortification and DR 2/adamantine +1 per 3 Hit Dice.
You may take this talent twice. If taken twice, your companion gains heavy fortification, DR 3/- +1 per 3 Hit Dice, and your companion no longer needs to breathe, granting it immunity to drowning, suffocation, or gas-based effects.
Ooze Companion (type)
Your companion mimics the properties of oozes. While it is still an outsider, magical effects and spells that specifically target ooze creatures may affect the companion as if it had the ooze type. Your companion can move through an area as small as one-quarter its space without squeezing or one-eighth its space when squeezing. The companion gains moderate fortification.
You may take this talent twice for a given companion. If taken twice, your companion gains heavy fortification, and your companion can engulf creatures in its path. As a standard action, the companion may move up to its speed and attempt to engulf any creature smaller than itself that is in its path. It cannot make other attacks during a round in which it engulfs. The companion merely has to move over its opponents, affecting as many as it can cover.
Targeted creatures can make attacks of opportunity against the companion, but if they do so, they are not entitled to a saving throw against the engulf attack. Those who do not attempt attacks of opportunity can attempt a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 Hit Dice + Strength modifier) to avoid being engulfed—on a success, they are pushed back or aside (companion’s choice) as the companion moves forward. Engulfed creatures gain the pinned condition, are in danger of suffocating, are trapped within the companion’s body until they are no longer pinned, and take slam damage from the companion each round (1d4 Medium, 1d3 Small if no slam attack is possessed). An engulfed creature may attempt to escape as if escaping a pin.
Planar Creature (type)
Your Conjuration companion is strongly tied to the alignment planes. Choose one of the following alignment groups. Your companion gains two of the options listed under than alignment group. Taking this talent a second time grants the remaining two options under that alignment.
Anarchic
- DR 2/lawful (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- Energy resistance (acid, electricity, sonic) equal to 1/2 Hit Dice
- +1 saves vs. mind-affecting effects (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- Attacks count as chaotic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Axiomatic
- DR 2/chaotic (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- DR vs. nonlethal damage equal to 1/2 Hit Dice
- +1 saves vs. death effects (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- Attacks count as lawful for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Celestial
- DR 2/evil (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- Energy resistance (acid, cold, electricity) equal to 1/2 Hit Dice
- +1 saves vs. disease (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- Attacks count as good for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Fiendish
- DR 2/good (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- Energy resistance (cold, fire) equal to 1/2 Hit Dice
- +1 saves vs. poison (increasing by +1 per 5 Hit Dice)
- Attacks count as evil for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Plant Creature (type)
Your companion mimics the properties of plants. While it is still an outsider, magical effects and spells that specifically target plant creatures may affect the companion as if it had the plant type. The companion gains low-light vision and a +2 bonus on saves against paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep, and stunning effects. This bonus increases by +1 per 2 Hit Dice.
You may take this talent twice. If taken twice, your companion gains a +2 bonus on saves against mind-affecting effects that increases by +1 per 2 Hit Dice, immunity to paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep, and stunning effects, and no longer requires sleep.
Undead Creature (type) [Core]
Your companion mimics the properties of undead. It is healed by negative energy and harmed by positive energy. While it is still an Outsider, magical effects and spells that specifically target undead may affect the Companion as if it were undead. The companion also gains +2 Channel Resistance, as well as a +2 bonus on saves against disease, exhaustion, fatigue, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning. These bonuses and channel resistance increase by +1 per 2 Hit Dice. You may take this talent twice. If taken twice, your companion gains immunity to disease, exhaustion, fatigue, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning, and your companion no longer needs to breath, granting it immunity to drowning, suffocation, or gas-based effects.
Wiki Note: This is a (form) talent in Core. The Conjurer's Handbook errata'd this into a (type) talent.
Old Conjuration Feats
Click the header above to visit the Sphere-Focused Feats page. This section includes feats that directly improve or rely upon this sphere.
Old Advanced Conjuration Talents
Click the header above to visit the Advanced Talents page. This page includes talents that are more powerful than the ones presented on this page - but remember, Advanced Talents are only available with GM permission.
Old Conjuration Drawbacks
Click the header above to see the Sphere-Specific Drawbacks for this sphere. If you're using the optional Casting Tradition rules, Drawbacks allow you to acquire one or more bonus talents in a sphere in exchange for a limit on using this sphere.
Companion Archetypes
Upon gaining a Conjuration sphere companion, you may select archetypes to apply to it. Once selected, the archetype cannot be removed from that companion. Each companion may have different archetypes. A companion may have more than one archetype as long as the archetypes do not replace or modify the same features or abilities.
Multiple changes to the cost to summon a companion stack (so a companion with the familiar and puppet archetypes would have its cost to summon reduced by 3).
Aquatic
Your companion reduces one of its speeds by 20 ft. and gains a 20 ft. swim speed. Companions with a base form that grants a speed of less than 20 ft. are not eligible for this archetype. If this companion later gains the Water Creature (form) talent, increase the swim speed granted by that talent by +10 feet.
Bestial
Your companion has an animal intellect, with its starting Intelligence reduced to 2. A bestial companion may not have its Intelligence raised by any (form) talent (though may still receive other benefits from such talents). Bestial companions count as possessing the animal creature type in addition to the outsider creature type for all skills and effects and require the use of the Handle Animal skill to direct. Without direction, they are friendly to the creature that summoned them but otherwise act according to their nature. A bestial companion gains an additional free (form) talent. A companion that has this companion archetype may not also possess the mindless or puppet companion archetypes. A bestial companion begins play trained for one purpose (see the Handle Animal skill) plus gains 1 bonus trick, +1 at 3 Hit Dice and every 3 Hit Dice thereafter. If using Spheres of Might, your bestial companion counts as an animal ally, though is not a valid target for the tame ability (per the rules in the Beastmastery sphere).
Familiar
Your companion only gains half its normal Hit Dice (rounded down), but has the spell point cost to summon it reduced by 2 (minimum 0). If the companion would normally only have 1 Hit Die, it still has 1 Hit Die, but receives half its normal hit points (rounded down, minimum 1).
Mage
Your companion gains poor base attack bonus progression (equal to 1/2 Hit Dice, rounded down) and uses a d6 for its Hit Dice. The companion must choose the Magical Companion (form) talent as its free (form) talent, but may choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as its casting ability modifier, and is a Mid-Caster. A mage companion gains spell points equal to its Hit Dice plus its casting ability modifier and may gain a casting tradition.
A mage companion must still spend feats to gain additional magic talents, as usual. A mage companion loses Climb and Swim as class skills but gains Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft as class skills. This archetype cannot be combined with the mindless companion archetype.
Reminder: The Magical Companion (form) talent does not grant the two free bonus talents for possessing the casting class feature.
Martial Companion
A martial companion may combine combat spheres and talents to create powerful martial techniques. Martial companions use the Proficient talent progression. When first summoned, they may choose either Charisma, Intelligence or Wisdom as their practitioner modifier. A martial companion does not gain the evasion, devotion, multiattack, and improved evasion special abilities. A martial companion may choose to give up the natural attacks granted by its base form to gain the Battle Creature (form) talent as a bonus talent.
This archetype requires Spheres of Might.
Mindless
Your Conjuration sphere companion is mindless, having no Intelligence score (Int -) and cannot gain any (form) talents that would increase its Intelligence score. It gains no feats or skills and cannot speak, though it is still capable of following your simple instructions. A mindless companion is immune to mind-affecting effects. A mindless companion can receive bonus feats and skill ranks to a specific skill from talents such as Capable Companion and Camouflaged Companion. The companion gains an additional Hit Die at 4th caster level and every 4 caster levels thereafter.
Puppet
Your Conjuration sphere companion is incapable of action without your direct control. You must spend an action for your companion to take the same action (swift for swift, standard for standard, etc.). A puppet companion may make attacks of opportunity by spending your attacks of opportunity if you have controlled it since the beginning of your last turn. Spending at least a move action this way counts as concentrating on the summon for that round. Any round you do not spend directing the companion, it stands mindlessly and counts as having the dazed condition. Your companion may still gain feats and skills (unless also possessing the mindless archetype); you may use the companion’s feats, skills, casting, and other abilities when directing the companion, though you may not use your own through the companion. Any effect that would possess or exercise mental control over a puppet companion (including enchantment [charm] effects and enchantment [compulsion] effects) requires a successful MSB check against the summoner’s MSD.
A puppet companion takes a -2 penalty on all rolls if it is outside of your close range. If you do not have line of sight to the puppet companion, it is treated as being blinded. Both these penalties are removed if you possess the Link talent.
As a standard action, you may order a puppet companion to follow. Doing so causes the puppet to take move actions on its turn (including trading its standard action for a move action) to attempt to move adjacent to you (or as close as it is able) to the best of its ability. Should the companion be unable to find you (such as in a complex maze when you are out of sight for too long, if you are teleported out of view, etc.), the companion will remain in its current position. Taking any other action through the companion ends this ability. The spell point cost of summoning a puppet companion is reduced by 1 (minimum 0).
Warrior
This archetype may only be applied to bipedal companions. Your companion loses all natural attacks granted by its base form and never gains multiattack, but gains the benefits of the Battle Creature (form) talent taken twice.
A companion with this archetype may never benefit from (form) talents that modify or grant natural attacks, though may still make unarmed strikes and benefit from feats and abilities that affect unarmed strikes as normal.
Note: Conjuration Companions and Spheres of Might
Conjuration companions that possess the Battle Creature (form) talent taken twice may trade in their proficiency with all martial weapons for a martial tradition (See Spheres of Might).
Extended Companion Table
In some cases, such as extending gameplay past level 20, using monsters with high Hit Dice and casting abilities, the mindless companion archetype, etc., it is possible to have greater than 20th caster level for the Conjuration sphere or a companion with more than 15 Hit Dice. Refer to the follow table to determine the statistics of a Conjuration sphere companion for such a case. The progression remains the same should the table need extension beyond 40th caster level.
Caster’s Caster Level | Hit Dice | Base Attack Bonus | Skill Points1 | Feats | Natural Armor Bonus | Good Saves | Bad Saves | Special |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21st | 16 | +16 | 16 | 8 | +8 | +10 | +5 | Ability Score Increase |
22nd | 17 | +17 | 17 | 9 | +8 | +10 | +5 | |
23rd | 18 | +18 | 18 | 9 | +9 | +11 | +6 | |
24th | 18 | +18 | 18 | 9 | +9 | +11 | +6 | |
25th | 19 | +19 | 19 | 10 | +9 | +11 | +6 | |
26th | 20 | +20 | 20 | 10 | +10 | +12 | +6 | Ability Score Increase |
27th | 21 | +21 | 21 | 11 | +10 | +12 | +7 | |
28th | 21 | +21 | 21 | 11 | +10 | +12 | +7 | |
29th | 22 | +22 | 22 | 11 | +11 | +13 | +7 | |
30th | 23 | +23 | 23 | 12 | +11 | +13 | +7 | |
31st | 24 | +24 | 24 | 12 | +12 | +14 | +8 | Ability Score Increase |
32nd | 24 | +24 | 24 | 12 | +12 | +14 | +8 | |
33rd | 25 | +25 | 25 | 13 | +12 | +14 | +8 | |
34th | 26 | +26 | 26 | 13 | +13 | +15 | +8 | |
35th | 27 | +27 | 27 | 14 | +13 | +15 | +9 | |
36th | 27 | +27 | 27 | 14 | +13 | +15 | +9 | |
37th | 28 | +28 | 28 | 14 | +14 | +16 | +9 | Ability Score Increase |
38th | 29 | +29 | 29 | 15 | +14 | +16 | +9 | |
39th | 30 | +30 | 30 | 15 | +15 | +17 | +10 | |
40th | 30 | +30 | 30 | 15 | +15 | +17 | +10 |
1: Based on 2 skill points per Hit Die and an Intelligence of 7.
Adaptation
While the Conjuration sphere provides a wide variety of options for creating the companion that fits your concept, not every conceivable possibility can be anticipated by the author nor fit into print. In cases where a concept doesn’t fit readily into existing talents, GMs are encouraged to work with their players to modify existing talents and create new ones.
Generally, existing base forms, companion archetypes, and talents should be used as guidelines. Taking a base form and replacing one type of natural attack with another, say trading out a bite attack for a pair of claws that use damage dice one step lower. While having two attacks is better than one, the claws are also subject to the limbs to which they are attached being needed for shields, weapons, holding other objects, casting spells, or other activities.
As a more involved example, let’s say that a player wants to have a companion based on a marilith. Neither the biped not the serpentine base forms are quite right. While taking the serpentine base form and using the Additional Limbs talent from Spheres of Power would allow you to get there, doing so requires several talents, which may be beyond the investment reasonable at low level. Instead, we can make a new base form, starting from the serpentine base.
Serpentine: Size Medium; Speed 20 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Saves Fort (bad), Ref (good), Will (good); Attack bite (1d6), tail slap (1d6); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Serpentine creatures are snakes, fish, and other elongated creatures. They begin with a head, but no arms or legs. Adding a pair of arms is worth about a talent, per Additional Limbs, so we will start by removing the bite attack and giving it a pair of arms. Now since this is a base form, granting three pairs of fully functional arms would be potentially problematic. However, we can still keep the appearance by allowing the form to have three pairs of arms, but treat them as one set mechanically. Base statistics can shuffled as well. As the marilith is stronger than it is dextrous, we will swap the Strength and Dexterity starting scores. We will also swap the good Will save for a good Fortitude save to better reflect the monster’s stat.
That gets us pretty close. Down the road, the Additional Limbs talent can be used to make the extra arms function mechanically while other talents can fill in resistances, weapon proficiencies, and size, reflecting the increased power of the summoner’s connection with his companion. This should line up reasonably well with other base forms. You end up with:
Echidna: Size Medium; Speed 20 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Saves Fort (good), Ref (good), Will (bad); Attack tail slap (1d6); Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Echidna creatures are suitable for lamias, mariliths, merfolk, and other, similar creatures. An echidna creature begins with a head, a pair of arms, a tail, and no legs. An echidna creature has no legs and may not be tripped unless gaining legs from another source.
Similarly, a scorpion could start with the vermin base form and replace the bite attack with a pair of claws (primary, 1d4 Medium, 1d3 Small, piercing and slashing), possible sacrificing the climb speed for a tail with a stinger (secondary, 1d4 Medium, 1d3 Small, piercing).
Additional (form) talents may also be created, though particularly powerful abilities may increase the cost to summon the companion. Powerful abilities like attacks that deal ability drain or damage would be a good example of an ability that should carry an additional spellpoint cost.
Conjuration-Focused Archetypes
Old Alter-Ego
The Alter-Ego is an archetype for the Vigilante that allows them to swap places with a summoned entity.
Old Awakener
The Awakener is an archetype for the Armiger that allows them to call up the spirits of their weapons. (Requires Spheres of Might)
Old Knight-Summoner
The Knight-Summoner is an archetype for the Mageknight that allows them to call forth a mount, whether it's a celestial horse, a mechanical platform, or a beast from the depths of the world.
Old Pact Master
The Pact Master is an archetype for the Thaumaturge that trades normal casting power for the ability to summon and gain power from other companions. Combos well with the spirit ideas of Pact Magic.
Old Twinsoul Elementalist
The Twinsoul Elementalist is an Elementalist that creates and commands a splinter of themselves that manifests as elemental power.
Old Void Wielder
The Void Wielder is an Armorist that siphons the very souls of their enemies, then calls them forth to do battle.
Wild Magic
Wild Magic Generator
Wild Magic Table
d100 | Result |
---|---|
1 | (Combat) The caster is stunned for 1 round. |
2 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains resistance to electricity equal to your caster level. This stacks with any resistance it already possesses. |
3 | For the duration of the effect, all the summoned or called creature’s natural attacks have their damage die size increased one step. |
4 | The summoned or called creature is one size smaller than normal, per the Altered Size (form) talent, to a minimum size of Fine. This may decrease the companions size beyond the limits of Altered Size, granting an additional -2 Strength and +2 Dexterity per additional size category. |
5 | The caster is fatigued. |
6 | The summoned or called creature appears with its Hit Dice minimized (1 hit point per Hit Die before Constitution and other bonuses). |
7 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains vulnerability to cold. |
8 | Effect receives a -4 penalty to caster level (minimum 1). This penalty may decrease your companion’s Hit Dice. |
9 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature leaves a trail of foul smelling slime. This slime persists until washed away or otherwise cleansed. |
10 | The summoned or called creature is distrustful of the caster and attempts to resist any effects the caster uses on it and does not benefit from flanking or aid another bonuses from the caster. |
11 | For the duration of the effect, all effects dependent on alignment treat the summoned or called creature as if it had no alignment subtypes and a true neutral alignment. |
12 | The summoned or called creature is one size larger than normal, per the Altered Size (form) talent, to a maximum size of Colossal. This may increase the creature’s size beyond the limits of Altered Size, granting an additional +4 Strength, -2 Dexterity, and +2 Constitution per additional size category. |
13 | For the duration of the effect,the first time each round that the summoned or called creature received damage from any source, it must succeed on a Fortitude save with a DC equal to the damage dealt or be banished. The creature may be summoned or called again as normal. |
14 | (Combat) The summoned or called creature becomes staggered for 1 round per caster level. |
15 | The caster gains knowledge of one talent of his choice from this sphere for 1 round. |
16 | The spell point cost of the effect decreases by 1. If the effect did not require any spell points, the caster instead gains 1 temporary spell point that expires at the end of his next turn. |
17 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature is invisible to the caster. |
18 | The summoned or called creature is mindless (Intelligence -) until banished, dismissed, or slain. |
19 | (Combat) The summoned or called creature becomes shaken for 1 round per caster level. |
20 | Effect receives a +2 bonus to caster level. This bonus may increase your companion’s Hit Dice. |
21 | The casting time increases by 1 step. |
22 | The effect fails, but the action is not lost. Spell points or spell slots spent are lost. |
23 | The caster takes untyped nonlethal damage equal to caster level. This damage does not force concentration checks to cast or maintain sphere effects or spells. |
24 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature is completely undetectable by the caster. |
25 | For each summoned or called creature, a duplicate creature also appears, identical to original. The second creature is uncontrollably violent toward the first and attacks immediately and implacably. |
26 | Roll again on the Universal wild magic table. |
27 | Roll twice and choose the result. Ignore any results that require rerolls. If both rolls thus ignored, there is no effect. |
28 | The effect fails and the action is lost. Spell points or spell slots are not lost. |
29 | The summoned or called creature gains regeneration 1/ fire or acid. This stacks with any regeneration it may already possess. |
30 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains vulnerability to nonlethal damage. |
31 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature is staggered for 1 round any time it received damage. |
32 | For the duration of the effect, all effects dependent on alignment treat the summoned or called creature as if it had alignment subtypes and alignment opposed to its actual alignment (choose randomly for true neutral creatures). |
33 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature may roll twice and take the better result on any save to prevent being dismissed or banished. If an effect that would dismiss or banish the creature does not normally allow a save, the creature may attempt a save to negate the effect. |
34 | The summoned or called creature is two sizes larger than normal, per the Altered Size (form) talent, to a maximum size of Colossal. This may increase the creature’s size beyond the limits of Altered Size, granting an additional +4 Strength, -2 Dexterity, and +2 Constitution per additional size category. |
35 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains vulnerability to sonic. |
36 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature is deaf. |
37 | The caster loses knowledge of any of the talents used in the effect (but not the base sphere) for the length of the effect (minimum 1 round). |
38 | The summoned or called creature gains fast healing 1 + 1 per 5 CL. This stacks with any fast healing it may already possess. |
39 | (Combat) The caster is dazed for 1 round. |
40 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains resistance to sonic equal to your caster level. This stacks with any resistance it already possesses. |
41 | The caster is merged with the summoned or called creature for 10 minutes per caster level. The summoned or called creature retains all mental ability scores, feats, base saving throw bonuses, and casting ability but uses the physical body (including physical ability scores, extraordinary abilities, hit points, and all abilities derived from race) of the caster. The caster does not retain any feats or casting ability he would have and the companion does not retain any abilities derived from physical form (natural attacks, breath weapons, fast healing, regeneration, etc.). The caster issue mental instructions to the summoned or called creature, but has no direct control. |
42 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature is confused for 1 round any time it received damage. |
43 | The summoned or called creature automatically deals nonlethal damage with all attacks, abilities, and sphere effects for the duration of the summon. |
44 | The summoned or called creature arrives in the chosen space 1 hour after the effect is cast. If the caster attempts to summon or call the same creature again during this time, the casting fails. |
45 | The summoned or called creature and the caster are empathically linked, splitting all damage either receives evenly between them regardless of distance. Apply the target’s damage reduction, immunity, and resistance prior to splitting the damage. The transferred damage bypasses all damage reduction, resistance, and immunity. |
46 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature cannot regain hit points or have ability damage, ability drain, or negative levels removed by any means. |
47 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature laughs loudly almost incessantly, making Stealth impossible and imposing a -2 penalty on all concentration checks made within 30 feet. |
48 | The creature closest to the caster must succeed on a Will save or be merged with the summoned or called creature for 10 minutes per caster level. The summoned or called creature retains all mental ability scores, feats, base saving throw bonuses, and casting ability but uses the physical body (including physical ability scores, extraordinary abilities, hit points, and all abilities derived from race) of the affected creature. The affected creature does not retain any feats or casting ability he would have and the companion does not retain any abilities derived from physical form (natural attacks, breath weapons, fast healing, regeneration, etc.). The summoned or called creature acts as normal. |
49 | An outsider of an alignment opposed to the caster’s (for true neutral, LG, CG, LE, or CE is randomly selected) of the GM’s choosing is called per the Summoning advanced talent, appearing adjacent to the caster. This creature has HD equal to the maximum possible for that talent and is not bound or controlled in any way. |
50 | The summoned or called creature appears with its Hit Dice maximized. |
51 | Any time the chosen summoned or called creature is summoned or called for the next 1 hour per caster level, it is illusory, allowing a Will save for half damage against on all damaging effects and a Will save to negate all non-damaging effects originating from it. |
52 | The caster is merged with the summoned or called creature for 10 minutes per caster level. The caster retains all mental ability scores, feats, base saving throw bonuses, and class abilities but uses the physical body (including physical ability scores, extraordinary abilities, hit points, and all abilities derived from (form) talents) of the summoned or called creature. The summoned or called creature does not retain any feats or casting ability it would have and the caster does not retain any extraordinary or supernatural abilities derived from race, template, or other sources other than classes and feats. |
53 | The spell point cost of the effect increases by 1d4. If the caster does not have enough spell points, he is instead dazed until the end of his next turn. |
54 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains resistance to acid equal to your caster level. This stacks with any resistance it already possesses. |
55 | The caster takes a number of points of ability damage to his casting attribute equal to the effect’s caster level/4 (minimum 1) even if he would normally be immune to ability damage. |
56 | The caster disappears to the native plane of the summoned or called creature for 10 minutes per caster level or until the summoned or called creature is dispelled, banished, or slain. The triggering effect does not require concentration for this time. The caster returns unharmed at the end of this period, though he continues to subject to all on-going effects and such effects continue to expend duration as normal. The caster can in no way act or be targeted by any effect during this time. |
57 | The summoned or called creature and the caster are empathically linked. Any time the caster receives damage, the summoned or called creature takes half that amount of nonlethal damage regardless of distance. Apply the target’s damage reduction, immunity, and resistance prior to splitting the damage. The transferred damage bypasses all damage reduction, resistance, and immunity. |
58 | (Combat) The summoned or called creature becomes confused for 1 round per caster level. |
59 | The effect fails and the action is lost. Spell points or spell slots are lost. |
60 | For 10 minutes per caster level, all calling, summoning, and teleportation effects within long range of the caster automatically fail, wasting any spell points, spell slots, and actions used to cast them. |
61 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains vulnerability to acid. |
62 | One time during the effect, as a free action the summoned or called creature may take a standard action. |
63 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature is completely undetectable by the caster’s allies. The caster is unaffected. |
64 | The summoned or called creature refuses to remain in any space not adjacent to the caster. |
65 | The summoned or called creature appears without any (form) talents, evolutions, or the benefits of any feats than improve the caster’s summons. |
66 | For the duration of the effect, any creature targeted by an attack originating from the summoned or called creature may succeed on a Will save to negate the attack. |
67 | For each summoned or called creature, a duplicate creature also appears, identical to the original. The second creature is apathetic to both the caster and the original creature and wanders away to spend the duration of the effect performing a harmless activity such as gathering flowers or sweeping the floor in a nearby building. |
68 | For each summoned or called creature, a duplicate creature also appears, identical to the original. Each creature has half their normal maximum hit points. Both react to the caster as normal. |
69 | A swarm of butterflies appears in the summoned or called creature’s square and follows it until slain. This is a Diminutive swarm with 1 hit point per caster level, 30 ft. (perfect) fly speed, AC equal to caster level, all saves equal to caster level/2, no swarm damage, and a distraction DC equal to the effect’s DC. |
70 | (Combat) The summoned or called creature is dazed for 1 round the first time it receives damage. |
71 | A small elemental is called adjacent to the caster. This elemental is hostile to the caster and his allies. The size of this elemental increases with caster level: CL 5 - medium, CL 10 - large, CL 15 - huge, CL 20 - elder. Roll 1d4 to determine the elemental type, 1 - air, 2 - earth, 3 - fire, 4 - water. |
72 | A rift appears adjacent to the caster, opening a portal to a plane of the GM’s choice (the denizens of the chosen plane should be naturally hostile to the caster). One creature of the GM’s choice native to the selected plane with a CR not exceeding caster level appears out of the rift each round for a 1d6 rounds and attacks the caster and his allies. |
73 | The casting time increases by 2 steps. |
74 | (Combat) All summoned creatures within long range of the caster must succeed on a Will save or be dismissed. |
75 | An outsider of an alignment matching the caster’s of the GM’s choosing is called per the Summoning advanced talent, appearing adjacent to the caster. This creature has Hit Dice equal to the maximum possible for that talent and is not bound or controlled in any way. |
76 | One imp, lantern archon, mephit (any type), or quasit (GM’s choice, should be naturally hostile to caster) per caster level is called and appears within close range of the caster. These creatures are not controlled and act according to their natures. |
77 | (Combat) The caster is nauseated for 1 round. |
78 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains resistance to fire equal to your caster level. This stacks with any resistance it already possesses. |
79 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature glows brightly (per the glow ability of the Light sphere). This counts as a glow originating from the caster. |
80 | The caster loses access to this sphere for 1d6 rounds. |
81 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains resistance to cold equal to your caster level. This stacks with any resistance it already possesses. |
82 | The casting time decreases by 1 step. |
83 | The casting time decreases by 2 steps. |
84 | The caster is exhausted. |
85 | The spell point cost of the effect increases by 1. If the caster does not have enough spell points, he is instead staggered until the end of his next turn. |
86 | A small elemental is called adjacent to the caster. This elemental is hostile to all creatures and attacks the nearest to the best of its ability. The size of this elemental increases with caster level: CL 5 - medium, CL 10 - large, CL 15 - huge, CL 20 - elder. Roll 1d4 to determine the elemental type, 1 - air, 2 - earth, 3 - fire, 4 - water. |
87 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature loses 1 hit point per round. This cannot reduce the creature below 1 hit point. |
88 | The summoned or called creature refuses to remain in any space not adjacent to an ally of the caster chosen randomly at the time the effect is cast. |
89 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains alignment subtypes for all alignments. |
90 | Roll twice and take both results. Ignore any results that require rerolls. If both rolls thus ignored, there is no effect. |
91 | The caster takes 1d4 points of Constitution damage even if he would normally be immune to ability damage. Creatures without a Constitution score instead take Charisma damage. |
92 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains vulnerability to fire. |
93 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature is invisible to the caster’s allies. The caster is unaffected. |
94 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains vulnerability to electricity. |
95 | The summoned or called creature is two sizes smaller than normal, per the Altered Size (form) talent, to a minimum size of Fine. This may decrease the companions size beyond the limits of Altered Size, granting an additional -2 Strength and +2 Dexterity per additional size category. |
96 | The creature closest to the caster must succeed on a Will save or be merged with the summoned or called creature for 10 minutes per caster level. The affected creature retains all mental ability scores, feats, base saving throw bonuses, and class abilities but uses the physical body (including physical ability scores, extraordinary abilities, hit points, and all abilities derived from (form) talents) of the summoned or called creature. The summoned or called creature does not retain any feats or casting ability it would have and the affected creature does not retain any extraordinary or supernatural abilities derived from race, template, or other sources other than classes and feats. |
97 | The summoned or called creature is staggered until banished, dismissed, or slain. |
98 | The summoned or called creature is distrustful of the caster and attempts to resist any effects the caster or the caster’s allies use on it and does not benefit from flanking or aid another bonuses from the caster or the caster’s allies. |
99 | The summoned or called creature and the caster are empathically linked. Any time the companion receives damage, the caster takes half that amount of nonlethal damage regardless of distance. Apply the target’s damage reduction, immunity, and resistance prior to splitting the damage. The transferred damage bypasses all damage reduction, resistance, and immunity. |
100 | For the duration of the effect, the summoned or called creature gains resistance to nonlethal equal to your caster level. This stacks with any resistance it already possesses. |
Gamemastering
Too Many Companions
The Conjuration sphere raises concerns among many regarding both action economy overwhelming encounters and additional bodies swamping the game. While the Conjuration sphere offers interesting options for solo campaigns, letting a single character cover numerous other roles, the more standard group campaign requires different considerations.
The simplest expedient is not allowing a player to have a large number of companions summoned simultaneously. A gentleman’s agreement with the GM and other players to either not take Extra Companion frequently or to not summon more than one or two at a time is an obvious solution. Specializing your companions for different situations and only summoning them when needed, such as summoning a rogue-like companion to check for traps, then dismissing it to summon a more battle focused companion before setting an ambush, reduces the number of bodies on the field.
Another option is to allow other players to control some of the companions, keeping the other players engaged and active, investing them in the companion’s development and wellbeing. The other players could be allowed a degree of latitude to portray a unique personality for the companion, emphasizing that it is a separate intelligence rather than a mere extension of the caster. This should only be done after consulting with the other players, obviously. Be aware that this invites the other players’ input in how the companion, and by extension the caster, is built, which may be unwelcome to some players.
Keep It Moving
The responsibility to keep turns manageable ultimately belongs to the player. Sheets for companions should be kept ready and be well known to the player to limit sheet-searching for the proper ability. If the character possesses ways to change companions from day to day, the player should keep up-to-date sheets for any variations he or she expects to use to prevent having to make others wait while statting up a new companion. Expedients such as rolling multiple different colored dice, using dice rolling software, or otherwise speeding rolls can also prove conducive to shorter turns with multiple creatures.
Summoning and Calling
The base summon ability has the [summoning] descriptor, and as such a Conjuration sphere companion cannot touch creatures warded with the appropriate protection from (alignment) spell, the Hallow word of the Fate sphere, and similar effects. This limitation bars the companion from striking a creature so warded with any weapons that the companion gains from Conjuration sphere talents. A Conjuration sphere companion is sent home by dispel magic, the Counterspell feat, and similar effects, though may be re-summoned as if the duration of the summon had ended, incurring the normal cost and casting time. If the companion is dismissed, dispelled, or slain, any spells or sphere effects it cast expire immediately (per the summoning descriptor). A Conjuration sphere companion winks out if they enter an antimagic field or similar effect. They reappear in the same spot once the field goes away. Time spent winked out counts normally against the duration of the summon.
If an antimagic field spell, Spell Ward ward from the Protection sphere, or similar effect is cast in an area occupied by a Conjuration sphere companion that has spell resistance, the caster must make a MSB check against the companion’s spell resistance to make it wink out. Natural and weapon attacks originating from Conjuration sphere companions are not normally subject to spell resistance.
The Summoning advanced talent, despite its name, has the [calling] descriptor. Thus creatures brought with this talent actually die when they are killed; they do not disappear and reform. Additionally, they may attack creatures warded with the appropriate protection from (alignment) spell, the Hallow word of the Fate sphere, and similar effects normally, can enter antimagic fields and similar effects, and can’t be dispelled.
Companion Details
Similar to a summoner’s eidolon, a Conjuration sphere companion does not gain the normal skill points, weapon proficiencies, or darkvision trait normally granted by the outsider type. Companions act on their own initiative count unless otherwise noted.
There is no limit on the alignment of a Conjuration sphere companion relative to the alignment of the caster, though if the companion possesses a non-neutral alignment the summon ability gains spell descriptors matching its alignment.
A companion that disappears due to being reduced to 0 hit points does not benefit from fast healing, regeneration, or other similar effects until such a time as the caster can summon it again normally (usually after the caster rests for 8 hours to regain spell points). Ongoing effects continue to have effect and expend duration while a companion is not summoned. Ability damage, ability drain, and other effects persist while the companion is not summoned.
Should a companion be slain by Constitution drain, negative levels, or other similar effects, it may be summoned after resting to regain spell points as usual, with the penalty reduced by the minimum value required to allow the companion to be alive.
The Magical Companion (form) talent does not grant the two free bonus talents for possessing the casting class feature.
Roleplaying a Companion
Conjuration sphere companions are normally directly under the player’s control. They obey commands, even if the commands would obviously cause the companion harm, as the worst that can happen is that they vanish to be re-summoned another time. However, the GM may choose to have the companion refuse orders that needlessly cause the companion to suffer, such as ordering it to stand in the campfire (without fire resistance) for no reason. Consistent abuse and being forced to act outside of its desires could, however, lead some companions to breaking their link with the caster. If this were to happen, the caster can form a link with a new companion after resting, transferring (form) talents as appropriate (or retraining them to suit, with GM permission).
If the player wishes the relationship between the caster and companion to be coerced or antagonistic, consider having the companion be controlled by the GM, giving the companion more freedom to argue and interpret its orders in ways favorable to its views. Such a relationship can be especially interesting when the caster and companion have significantly opposed views. This should be discussed and agreed upon before such an independent companion is obtained.
The process of forming a bond with a Conjuration sphere companion is intentionally left vague. While some companions resemble denizens of the planes, others may be less concrete in their origin. Ghosts, vestiges of cosmic powers, unformed spiritual energy, and the sheer will of the caster can all be valid sources of a companion, each offering differing methods to form a bond. Creatures tied to alignment planes may consent to the bond to increase their patron’s influence in the world or to guide the caster toward their alignment and goals, potentially leaving once they feel their goals are sufficiently advanced or that the caster has gone beyond the limits of what they are willing to assist with. More ephemeral sources may simply seek an opportunity to exist in the material world, freely copying their summoner’s outlook and ends for the joy of existing. Others may seek out casters whose goals align with their own to aid them, whether for grand cosmic purpose or simple revenge. Companions with a single definite purpose may wish to end the connection once the purpose is served, though they could easily see staying with their (usually mortal) summoner for longer out of obligation or fondness.