[Kiirnodel]

Creating a spirit formula might be different to each tradition. Some might view it like the true love spell from Practical Magic, where she listed out all the unique features of this person.

Either way, it is still creating a spirit whose existence hinges on the concept that their primary purpose here is to serve/be partner to/guide the magician who serves as their master.

I don't have any issue with the idea that after years and years the ally will develop their own interests. I've seen situations where players' have seen their own ally grow and develop to the point that the Magician sets them free and they became a Free Spirit. But even in that situation, it still hung around the original magician because they were friends.

[RowanTheFox]

One thing I should mention about Rumpus is that while there isn't a distance limitation, it doesn't like to stray far from the shaman. The cafe is about as far as it'll go barring extraordinary circumstances. Nip treats his ally with the upmost respect, seeing Rumpus as an equal or even his better.

[Senko]

Ok one more comment to explain my reasoning a little since It might just be me. To me part of the whole primary purpose is to serve the summoner causes the seperate interests in the first place. That is if I just want tasks done I can summon a spirit for that, get one who's willing and pay their request. For an ally spirit though I want a friend as we are going to be together a very long time. Lots of common interests sure but also some different ones and different viewpoints.

Other people might want the Master and Servant type relationship but I want an ally. Someone who'll have my interests in mind but won't always agree with me "Yes, it's hot and you just want to laze in the air-conditioning but I'm not letting you skip our daily jog you need the exercise.". Someone with their own views and opinions so we can carry on a conversation without me knowing what they'll say. Yes we both wanted to see Moana and the new resident evil movies but we enjoyed different parts of them. Someone who can help me in my weak areas "For this kind of meeting you should wear this outfit." I want someone who'll slap their hand over my mouth and tell me to stop talking if needed not just blindly back me up. Most of all I don't want something that pops up sustains/assists some spells then vanishes back to its spirit realm.

If you see what I mean?

EDIT
Just occurred to me but wouldn't moving more than 100 feet also cover going to the spirit realm as it's in another dimension? Genuine question as I said I prefer to drop the limit entirely so I'm not sure where those who don't draw the limit and why.

[Desiani]

The current character I am playing is of the Psionic Tradition. He's made a Man spirit who is an extension of his 'mental prowess.' Where the Mysad focuses more on the more physical side of Mystic Adept, the Ally likes to engage in mental debates. She (that's what Shakespeare calls her since it is rude as he views it as part of himself manifest) often helps teach his college courses or sometimes debates with students during some parts of the cariculum. 

In combat she focuses on the magic slinging and combat support while Shakespeare zooms in with his shotgun and rips stuff up.


I know allied spirits are powerful (in the infinite services way), but does creating the formula cost karma? When I read SG it made it seem that you 'set' the karma cost when actually summoning it. Or is it that you pay the karma to make the formula and another chunk to summon?

Also... does spirit whisperer +1 extra force work on them or are they a different kind of beast entirely?

Edit: added content

[Senko]

My understanding is that developing the formula itself costs no karma that only gets paid when you actually summon them. What the formula does is determine what you summon spirit type, force, abilities, skills and so on. Most important in determining a spirits karma cost is its force the more powerful the more it costs although I think there are a few exceptions that can increase it such as extra forms.

Can't help on spirit whisperer as I've never used it.

[RowanTheFox]

So allies can in fact have more than one manifested form?

[Kiirnodel]

Materialized form, not manifested (manifesting is the psychic projection, materialization is the physical form).

Step 2 of Creating an Ally Spirit Formula on SG pg 201. Materialization spirits can have additional forms for +2 karma each. Inhabitation and Possession spirits' forms are determined by the vessel. But Inhabitation can use additional forms if they get a True Form merge.

And in response to the karma costs question, making the formula costs no karma (only time and effort). You determine the karma cost of the Ally during the formula creation, but only pay it to complete the ritual to conjure it.

The karma cost is based on the Force, but additional features cost extra karma. Like extra forms, powers, skills, and spells.

[RowanTheFox]

So allies can in fact have more than one materialized form?

Fixed. I always mix up those two.

[Reaver]

As Kiirnodel says, yes they can....

And it can be very useful! My ally has 3 forms available to it. Its 'regular' humanish form, A realistic human form, and what it calls its 'war form'....

Each has its own use and purpose.... its regular spirit form for when it just doesn't care.
Its realistic form for when guile, subterfuse or charm is needed and Spirits are 'unwelcome'.
Its 'warform' for when combat is going on for a psychological edge.


<note that whatever form a spirit takes, it has NO bearing on its stats or combat effectiveness. It is purely a Roleplaying Tool. Nothing more.>

[Senko]

I thought they were always realistic (except when they deliberately aren't) given the description in ally spirits that is they don't have the usual semi transparent spirit form. Mine has adult woman, adult man teenage woman, youg girl. It was expensive but it's been worth. I also wanted cat or fox form but it was pointed out this is a spirit of man and while different human forms are acceptable an animal one is not. They also look related I.e. All blond haired and blue eyed.

[firebug]

All ally spirits gain the Realistic Form power (page 198).  This gives a Materalize spirit the ability to turn into a single form that seems completely real (a human form would have a heartbeat and regular breathing rate, etc) in addition to their "normal" materialized form (maybe "native form" would be more accurate).  For Possession spirits, this power means that there is not clear visual indication that someone has been possessed, where as normally I believe they would have some flashy supernatural aura type stuff going on.

It doesn't say if the extra forms you can buy are realistic or not...  I suppose it'd be up to the GM.

[Senko]

I always looked at them as optional steps. I.e they get 1 form free (materialization type) and can purchase extras e.g. Blond haired, blue eyed girl and blond haired, blue eyed man then they can choose whether to have them appear as a normal spirit does or in their realistic form. However those two options hazy/realistic aren't forms as such but merely the level to which those forms are manifested.