INTO THE ABYSS: Ultimate Guide to Demon Binding in D&D

[@edgreenwoodofficial]

Are there any other practices or Rituals in the Realms that you'd like see explained in greater narrative detail? I love making practical resources that gamers can actually use at the their tables. ;} Your support is what makes these videos possible. It's because of you that I'm able to continue working on the Realms every day. THANK YOU! patreon.com/EdGreenwood

[@PeterDivine]

I posted this a couple of days ago under the video you did on general magic, but I'm reposting it here because I really want some answers on the matter (and hey, you asked.) What the devil is the lore deal with warlock pacts, pun intended? Because they're a cool class, but they've never made sense to me lore-wise in so many ways. Where did pact magic come from, and why is pact magic so supposedly rare yet so prevalent it can be used by seemingly any extraplanar creature? What even IS pact magic and how is pact magic apparently known to all mid- to high-level extraplanars, seeing as you can pact with such a variety of them indiscriminately? Why don't people rely on pact contracts over blind faith in matters with extraplanar deities if it would more easily quantify their terms, obligations and rewards? How have the Planes of Law not monopolized on pact contracts for obscene power and control in the whole cosmic power-balance? It's my general understanding that warlock contracts generally break down to "extraplanar creature gives me a portion of their power, I use it and it grows with me, I return that grown amount of power later while also maybe having fulfilled some terms or obligations the extraplanar creature has also stipulated to be completed during the time I have said power." That's an insanely good deal in the long-term for extraplanars compared to just "gathering worshippers and hoping they do my vaguely-defined business at some point for some sort of capricious rewards I would probably give them in turn," it's like a bond market for raw power. People should have to beat off extraplanar contract-peddling cults with a stick while grocery-shopping with that sort of appeal. Actually, is that why cults are so common? For that matter, what exactly is the benefit of going for any given extraplanar creature of a higher or lower power ranking if their boons are functionally identical, mechanics-wise? Why bother contracting directly with Baal or Geryon if any piddling horned devil or such would suffice? How do you "contract" with a chaotic being, isn't that antithetical to their chaotic nature? Forget the can, it's just a colossal bag of worms, like a full wriggling rucksack. Any chance we could please get some clarity? P.S- LOVE your videos, Mr. Greenwood, and that one comment you left about the NDA under the Netheril video has haunted my mind like a specter ever since you left it. Stay awesome, and thank you for the worldbuilding!

[@theshockmaster3781]

I would love to know which monsters are most sought out for their uses as ingredients for potions or spells. Like an eye of a hydra or some such, but I want to know rare creatures in the realms that a wizard would pay a high price for parts of it.

[@qwell1170]

I would like to know more about spectators and the rituals to summon them.

[@theprofessorkeen1911]

Mr. Greenwood, You told us of Demon binding, but is there any practices that do the same or similar to other outer or inner planer beings?

[@YouTubdotCub]

Would love something on the difference in rituals and practices between druids devoted to Silvanus and clerics devoted to Silvanus!

[@RyllenKriel]

So, demons are politicians and devils are lawyers. Got it, thanks Ed!

[@johnedwards5738]

U just figured that out ?

[@eddiebendigo7317]

Nah. They're both one in the same in this world so that's a pretty smooth brained take.

[@RyllenKriel]

@@eddiebendigo7317 Harsh comment, but at least I'm immune to mindflayers by your lofty standards.

[@RyllenKriel]

@@johnedwards5738 Not really, but confirmation from Ed is always nice.

[@bifflechips-t5r]

Perfect timing -- a few months into running a campaign in the Great Dale right now and the ancient history of Eltab, old Narfell, and its demonbinders, casts a heavy pall over the campaign so far.

[@VengefulJarl]

I started my current group in the Great Dale after getting a, then, new book on dmsguild. I really fell in love with the area and hope to bring them back after awhile.

[@bifflechips-t5r]

@@VengefulJarl Yeah, I grabbed those and the surrounding area to also do some stuff in Rashemen, Thay, and Narfell. One player made a Wychlaran and I look forward to her having a final test to be become a Hathran soon. Two players made volodni PCs and we're about to visit their home village for a holiday. It's such a cool area to focus a campaign around, and it's my first homebrew one too, and I'm having an absolute blast with it.

[@pedrostormrage]

I didn't know about the Nar folk (or Narfell), but the demonbinding description immediately reminded me of the Summon Greater Demon and Planar Binding spells. I've heard about the D&D satanic panic that happened in the 1980s, but seeing all the dangers (and requirements) involved with demonbinding, it's very clear that the message here is "don't try this at home" (I doubt people spreading that fear ever actually played the game, or knew anything about the lore). I like how the demon saying and Elminster's saying can be combined: "Show me someone who trusts a demon, and I'll show you a fool. Show me someone who wants to control a demon, and I'll show you a reckless fool" (demonbinding is something wizards can do, but I'd assume not all of them would be reckless enough to try it).

[@PuReWiReZ]

Ed Greenwood is the storyteller we deserve.

[@rknowling]

Thankyou Ed for your time and effort interacting with we fans through streaming! ❤ Please also convey thanks and gratitude to Elminster from a humble arcane apprentice of many, many decades. You make our lives brighter, richer and more fascinating. Thankyou also to all the Patrons who make these streams possible! ❤

[@nothomelessonyoutube]

I rolled up a bard college of lore, and realized this allowed me to pick summon greater demon. Picked a neutral character. I only summon the demons for support against attacking enemies. Don't believe that will change my alignment but I will move to Neutral Evil if I have too.

[@donniesnyman2517]

Forgotten realms are supreme

[@Kurokame723]

Literally Ed Greenwood, one of the pillars of this game, show some love and get his subscribers count up!!

[@SpiritWolf1966]

I enjoy all of Ed Greenwood videos

[@Foretelling]

Ed Greenwood, you are an international treasure

[@thedeaderer8791]

Deamons lie sooo much i have a good saying. "If a deamon says "good morning" to you, youd better get a second opinion"

[@animationlover219]

Thank you. I have a story I am working on that starts, and likely ends, in Impiltur, so information on Nar Demonbinding, the activities of Demons in the Realms, and what makes a person a desirable target for demonic pacts is all value information.

[@Billy.Bacsko]

These videos deserve 10X the views. I hope they can keep going and sustain while growing in popularity.

[@mad4it15]

Thank you ED! this couldn't have come at a better time! I'm playing a necromancer, in a land overrun by the nine and the abyss alike! we've already had several encounters with demonic and devilish patrons, and i would be a fool to not use them for my own gain, let alone rescue my companions from some certain binding pacts they have found themselves in!

[@joshuakanapkey6570]

I always dug the Unapproachable East!

[@Hexie_Rexie]

Legitimately just took a break from a four month project converting Demonbinder from previous editions of D&D (Drow style not Nar Style) and compiled the lore of them, though admittedly I went over board and did bits about every single type of demon. I like something is telling me to finish it!

[@Deathven1482]

Great timing. Running out of the abyss right now!

[@rowanfroese8577]

This will be very useful for my desent into avernus campaign

[@raymondharnack4160]

Why? Avernus is full of devils, we’re talking about demons.

[@rowanfroese8577]

@@raymondharnack4160 it's the abyss' main exit

[@DIEGhostfish]

​@@rowanfroese8577 Well to a degree, somtimes they have to fight actoss all three interceding planes

[@thewickedproducer579]

I'd love Ed's take on some of the Old AD&D & 2e Forgotten Realms books. Some of his favorite books / products he wrote or was a part of. Like some review stuff of old books / products and ones that did a good job conveying his Forgotten Realms. Maybe even insights on to how they were created, ideas, etc. Even thing hidden among some of the old pages at only a making of prospective could have. Thank you Ed for all the great Adventure from your Forgotten Realms and your new great video content.

[@trollsmyth]

Nice! Definitely going to use this in my current campaign. :D I'd love to hear more about how holidays are celebrated across the Realms.

[@ClarkyClark]

Thanks Ed! Always appreciate the master bard giving us some bits of lore of long forgotten realms and places.

[@mementomori771]

One of the major NPCs in my current campaign is a bound archdemon love the Lore Ed

[@BonusArea]

🤌 Another video!! Thanks Ed

[@silentline7698]

I'm loving the Lore Ed. OH yeah.

[@Natsirt666]

Was the city of Ilythiir related to the "Ilythiiri" the original name of the Drow that Vhaeraun uses for his "children"? (or at least i THINK this was the lore as i remember it).

[@TradeUaPikachu]

I've been waiting for this video my whole life and didn't even know it!

[@CaideJordan]

Thank you Ed. Commenting for the algorithm

[@hallavast]

This is perfect. Thank you.

[@darkocide]

Would love to see a video on exorcisms in the realm

[@edgreenwoodofficial]

Great idea!

[@jaredrobinson7071]

Great video! I miss the Forgotten Realms. Hope we get more novels.

[@zacharyagee2010]

I would live to learn more about tuning forks and planar travel! I love your videos and the world youve made.

[@enderedik1690]

Okay, and what about Devils?

[@tkc1129]

Does a contract with a demon actually have any power ar all? Is it just enough for a target to open themselves up, and then they can do whatever they want? Or do they have to abide by rules, despite their chaotic nature? Also, is it possible for the target to expel a demon themselves? If not, what conditions need to be fulfilled by an exorcist?

[@eddiebendigo7317]

Tell us a story, Ed ❤

[@Jowjoneking]

That's an interesting saying. Considering Elminster is one of the greatest Wizards and Mystra's chosen, would he harbor a grudge against practicioneers of the arts? Even tho he is one himself?

[@scetchmonkey007]

I Have always been tinkering the demon spells in D&D to better reflect the lore and the books and the risks associated with conjuring fiends. Have a good handle on the immediate spells, wrangling a demon and trying to control them for a short time before banishing them back where they come from. But the long term madness associated with demon controlling thats hard to implement. Basically that should happen even to any conjurer that has a relatively weak demon under control like an imp or qua-sit. Getting this right will really make players second guess the demon summoning spells.

[@kekada912]

So if I summoned and kept some impa I could use them to farm magic spell regents?

[@brendancrosby2965]

I can't wait to detail a demon latrine during a dungeon crawl and see if the players figure out that they can use it to summon the demons lol

[@obfusciatehopper787]

A comment for the numbers brother

[@DIEGhostfish]

I remember the story that Gary made Fraz after realizing he probably shouldn't have given two player characters Vorpal swords, so he needed an enemy to blow up magical items with.

[@Nesseight]

Elminster's patron Mystra a demon confirmed right here by Ed himself.

[@OneLoneMan]

What group, tribe, clan, or kingdom fights demons with angelic powers?

[@RavenCoyote]

anyone using demon names freely is target for death in my book. if you can pronounce it you can summon it so time for you to visit Jergal

[@thetoweroftomes]

Hi! How far up through the timeline do you go with these lore videos? I used to visit forgotten realms a lot and read a lot of source material and your books as well, but stopped when fourth edition came out. Do you cover "newer" stuff as well? Thanks .

[@edgreenwoodofficial]

I cover everything from "right now" (1500 DR) back to centuries before, depending on the topic.

[@thetoweroftomes]

@@edgreenwoodofficial Thank you! For the response and all the adventures and memories!

[@TheSamuraijim87]

NO ED! YOU SAID THE NAME THREE TIMES!

[@Ceaudrious]

If i remember best demon/devil/daemon/celestial /genie binders in whole realms are located in utter east . .. They bind them in golems. Guessing a lot of warlocks running around there and have wars with each other .

[@haydenbsiegel]

Wait...wait...wait.. does that mean Elminster is a demon?!?! Interesting... Interesting...😅

[@waffleairways4015]

yeah, why is nobody talking about the ending?

[@AncientRylanor69]

Hello Mr Greenwood are this the same Demon Binders as the DEMONBINDERS (class) PAGE 72 OF Drow of the Underdark 3.5e???

[@edgreenwoodofficial]

No. The Nar learned from the drow, but being human, with different capabilities, their demonbinding is lesser (slightly different).

[@AncientRylanor69]

@@edgreenwoodofficial Thank you.

[@theprofessorkeen1911]

Mr. Greenwood, Is it easier to summon and deal with an Good aligned being than a demon? Those demon binders are not just foolish and reckless, they are profoundly DUMB. I would bank on even Volo wouldn't do that.

[@pheralanpathfinder4897]

Does the summoner want to sign a pact which compels them to always make the good choice even at the greatest of costs?

[@alexeisenhauer5874]

Who are the “Narr Folk”?

[@JaWick_WitaStick]

Are you trying to say Elminster is possessed by a demon?

[@hallows99]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Even watched that part again.

[@Skorion69]

Reckless fools… oh no, followers of both Mystra and Finder that cannot go well.

[@clarkside4493]

My character keeps floss on hand so they can bleed their gums rather than cutting a hand for such dark magic.

[@TrashJack3000]

It's all fun and games until the religious zealots barge into your session to burn all your dice, character sheets, maps, figurines, and books.

[@gregkun1]

This feels like a poor man's warlock origin story

[@visionsogeurope1324]

:)

[@Everescale]

❤💩