The Al-Qadim Netbook

2.6 Summoning Malfunctions

From: Martin Rhéaume
Original by "unkown". First publish in Dragon Magazine #???

Modified for use in Al-Qadim by Martin Rhéaume

The original tables where use for the world of Dark Sun. I modified the table to use them in my Al-Qadim campaign. If anyone can provide me with the Dragon magazaine reference number and the writer name, I will give them the propper credit.
This is what can happen when a PC attempts to summon an Elemental or Genie. If you have any comments, do not hesitate to contact me.
Step 1 A malfunction can happen when:

* Fails a wisdom check while using the NWP rituals

* Attempting summoning via spell

Elementalists and Kahins have a 5% of malfunction

Sha'irs have a 10% of malfunction

Rangers have a 15% of malfunction

Clerics and Sorcerer have a 20% of malfunction

Other spellcasters have a 25% of malfunction

Any others Fighter and Thieves have a 30% of malfunction

* Any magical devices have a 10% of malfunction

Step 2 Type of malfunction:

* Standard malfunction

On a successful malfunction, DM must consult the appropriate Summoning Malfunction table and roll 2d8 to dertermine the random elemental effect.

* Spectacular malfunction

Roll 1d4 for a random effect based on the attempt elemental summoning. All special elemental spells are treated as if the cleric had cast the spell himself. Spectular effects take place immediately wheter or not the caster controls the spell. A caster is allowed a S.T. against any malevolant effect targeting the cleric but the caster must not be surprised. A caster who is affected by a benevolent spell receives full knowledge. The caster cannot cast any conjuration/summoning spells for the next 1d4+2 hours.
TABLE 1: Conjure Lesser Elemental Summoning Malfunctions

2d8	Result
2	Roll on subtable 1 for spectacular elemental spell effect
3	A 10 HD para-elemental attack the caster
4	Caster body continually exudes small usless amount of the element for 24 hours
5	1d3 Free Gens appears
6	2d4 elemental vermin
7	Elemental beasts
8	1d4 elemental grues
9	Spell functions but elemental have only 1hp per HD
10	Spell functions but elemental does only 1hp of damage
11	Spell functions but elemental will be banished upon the first hp of damage
12	Caster is cut of from elemental sphere for 2d6 rounds
13	Caster is bathed in the elemental and cure for 2d8+2 hp
14	Caster casts all elemental spells as if 2 level higher for the next 12 hours
15	Spells function as the 5th level conjure elemental spell
16	Roll on subtable 1 for spectacular elemental spell effect

Subtable 1: Spectacular minor elemental spell effect

1d4	Result
1	Earth:	Caster grabbed by Maximillian earth grasp
	Air:	Stinking Cloud centered on caster
	Fire:	Caster struck by Burning Hands
	Water:	Caster affected by heat exhaustion
2	Earth:	Caster affect by Fist of Stone
	Air:	Caster can cast call lightning
	Fire:	Caster can cast Flaming Sphere
	Water:	Caster can cast insatiable thirst
3	Earth:	Caster grabbed by Maximillian stony grasp
	Air:	Solid Fog centred on caster
	Fire:	Caster affected by heat exhaustion
	Water:	Caster can cast insatiable thirst
4	Earth:	Caster can cast Stone Shape
	Air:	Caster can cast Air Walk
	Fire:	Caster can cast Fireball
	Water:	Caster can cast Curse Serious Wounds

TABLE 2: Conjure Elemental Summoning Malfunctions

2d8	Result
2	Roll on subtable 2 for spectacular elemental spell effect
3	A 12 HD para-elemental attack the caster
4	Caster receive 2d8+4 hp of damage and caster is unable to cast spellst of the element for d6 turns
5	2d4 Free Gens appears
6	Elemental beasts
7	2d4+2 elemental grues
8	Spells function as the 3th level conjure lesser elemental spell
9	Spell functions but elemental have only 1hp per HD
10	Spell functions but elemental will be banished upon the first hp of damage
11	Caster casts all elemental spells as if 3 level higher for the next 12 hours
12	Caster is teleported 1 mile to random direction
13	Caster is healed of all wound, diseases and poisons
14	Caster is transformed into a standart 12HD elemental with caster hp and THAC0
15	Spells function as the 7th level Conjure Greater Elemental spell
16	Roll on subtable 2 for spectacular elemental spell effect

Subtable 2: Spectacular elemental spell effect

1d4	Result
1	Earth:	Caster affected by Infestation
	Air:	Cloud Kill centered on caster
	Fire:	Caster struck by Flame Arrow
	Water:	Caster affected by Lung of Water
2	Earth:	Wall of Stone in front of caster
	Air:	Wind Wall in fron t of caster
	Fire:	Wall of Fire in front of caster
	Water:	Wall of Ice in front of caster
3	Earth:	Whirpool of Doom centred on caster
	Air:	Death Fog centred on caster
	Fire:	Caster affected by Fireball
	Water:	Ice Storm cantered on caster
4	Earth:	Caster can cast Stoneskin
	Air:	Caster can cast Airboat
	Fire:	Caster can cast Fire Shield
	Water:	Caster can cast Cone of Cold

TABLE 3: Conjure Greater Elemental Summoning Malfunctions

1d12	Result
1	Roll on subtable 3 for spectacular elemental spell effect
2	A 16 HD para-elemental attack the caster
3	Anti-Elemental Sphere of 1d10 miles moves with caster (no casting, no memorizing)
4	Element is gated within 50' for the next 4d4 rounds
5	Caster is summoned by the Genies Ruler
6	Spells function as the 3th level conjure lesser elemental spell
7	Spell functions but elemental will have only 1 hp per HD
8	For the next d10+10 rounds, each round d2 items are randomly transformed in the element permanently
9	Caster is attacks by a Genie of the element
10	Caster is transformed into a fearfull 15' elemental avatar. Caster is healed of all damage and granted double hp, fights as a 20 HD monster, #AT for 5d6 damage, AC -5 and MR of 25%. Transformation lasts for 1 turn then caster is unconsious.
11	Roll on subtable 3 for spectacular elemental spell effect
12	DM's choice

Subtable 3: Spectacular elemental spell effect

1d4	Result
1	Earth:	Glass Storm centered on caster
	Air:	Siroco centered on caster
	Fire:	Incendiary centered on caster
	Water:	Acid Storm centered on caster
2	Earth:	Caster affected by Claws of the Umber Hulk
	Air:	Caster can cast Death Fog
	Fire:	Conflagration centered on caster
	Water:	Caster can cast Life Water
3	Earth:	Sink centred on caster
	Air:	Suffocate centred on caster
	Fire:	Delayed Blast Fireball is centered on caster
	Water:	Caster can cast Maelstorm
4	Protected from all elements for the next 24 hours