Summoning Marraenaloths

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Center of All's picture
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factotums
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Summoning Marraenaloths

I know it may not properly work like this all the time, but it seems that some cutters wanting to cross or travel the Styx might learn darks that'll allow the bashers to call a marraenaloth to them wherever they are on the river.  For the sake of argument, let's assume any berk can do some kind of ritual or somesuch that'll cause a marraenaloth to answer and come promptly, no matter where you are on the river.  These rituals only guarantee the arrival of an oarsman, mind you.  They don't guarantee passage.

But anyway, do you have any ideas for what these rituals could entail?  What sort of magic or action could merit the immediate attention of one of the mysterious ferrymen?

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Kobold Avenger's picture
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factotums
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Throwing something into the

Throwing something into the River Styx like a small animal would be a start.

Kobold Avenger's picture
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factotums
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Another idea for a ritual is

Another idea for a ritual is that you can fill out a contract, tear it up and burn it, dumping the ashes in the River Styx.  It might compel a Marraenoloth to come, but they could increase they likelihood they'd betray you.

inkoia's picture
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Throwing coins and treasure

Throwing coins and treasure to the river and making the wish? ;P (you have to pay them well anyway, so should not be a big problem to carry more money...)

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I have read somwhere that

I have read somwhere that there docks dotted along river styx designed specificaly for that purpose. Each dock have some sort of magical sounding device (horn, gong, bell, whistlle...), you sound it, and marraneloth appears several rounds later.

Also I guess that summoning ritual would be diferent for each lower plane...

Acheron: Soldires bang on their shields  shouting and chanting.

Baator: Elaborate, long and complex magical ritual with magical circle, sacrifice and all that...

Gehena: Betray someone by pushing it in Styx.

Gray Waste: No ritual is needed, one Marraneloth will pass soon enough. (It is their home plane, after all).

Carcery: Drown gereleth in Styx. (It is no easy feat, but if planewalkers pull it of, the ride is free).

Abyss: Depends on layer. Usualy someting wicked and perverse.

Pandemonium: Since Styx water in Pandemonium is weakened and it does not cause compleate memory llos. Passangers who wish to summon marraneloth must sacrifice some of their memories by drinking sip of Styx water.

 

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charl's picture
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How about taking a cue from

How about taking a cue from the old Greek mythology this is based on? In order to get passage you need to place two copper coins over your eyes and then wait until the Marraenaloth comes and collects them. Of course, two copper coins is not much of a price, so the fiend may ask for something else once it has arrived.

Stix's picture
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I'm rather fond of the

I'm rather fond of the phrase "speak of the devil and he shall appear."

At one point, my PCs were marooned on Oinos.  One of them, standing on the banks of the Styx, said, "A marraenoloth would come in mighty handy about now." From around the bend of the river came one of the silent boatmen, poling his skiff along quietly until he landed by the party.

They decided to take their chances with the Waste.

Jem
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Joined: 2006-05-10
Hey, I found it!  Fiendish

Hey, I found it!  Fiendish Codex I, page 111!

Quote:
To call a marraenoloth to the banks of the river Styx, a character must cast summon monster VIII, holy word, or blasphemy.  A marraenoloth-piloted skiff appears 1d6 rounds later.

The fee is "at least" 100gp per passenger, though many descriptions of Lower Planes indicate that some are easier or harder to get out of or into than others.

Center of All's picture
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factotums
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Jem wrote: Hey, I found

Jem wrote:

Hey, I found it!  Fiendish Codex I, page 111!

Quote:
To call a marraenoloth to the banks of the river Styx, a character must cast summon monster VIII, holy word, or blasphemy.  A marraenoloth-piloted skiff appears 1d6 rounds later.

The fee is "at least" 100gp per passenger, though many descriptions of Lower Planes indicate that some are easier or harder to get out of or into than others.

Well, that takes some of the literary fun out of it Eye-wink

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