Player's Handbook[]
By means of this spell, a wizard on the Prime Material Plane seeks to force or enable a creature from another plane of existence to return to its proper plane. Magic resistance, if any, is checked if this spell is used to force a being home. If the resistance fails, the caster's level is compared to the creature's level or Hit Dice. If the wizard's level is higher, the difference is subtracted from the creature's die roll for its saving throw vs. spell. If the creature's level or Hit Dice is higher, the difference is added to the saving throw roll.
If the creature desires to be returned to its home plane, no saving throw is necessary (it chooses to fail the roll).
If the spell is successful, the creature is instantly whisked away, but the spell has a 20% chance of actually sending the subject to a plane other than its own.
The material component is any item that is distasteful to the subject creature.
Notes: Common spell (PHB). Known to be in the Demonomicon of Iggwilv (WoG).
Encyclopedia Magica[]
Definition: By means of this spell, the wizard attempts to send a creature from another plane back to its own plane. The creature's magic resistance, if any, must be overcome before the spell takes effect. The wizard must name the type of creature to be dismissed and must speak its personal name, if any. The level of the wizard is then compared to the Hit Dice of the creature. If the creature's Hit Dice are higher, the difference between its Hit Dice and the caster's level is added to its saving throw. If the caster's level is higher, the difference is subtracted from its saving throw. (Note: if the creature wants to be sent back to its own plane, there is no adjustment to its saving throw.)
If the spell is successful, the creature is immediately whisked away, but there is a 20% chance it will be sent to a plane other than its own, determined randomly.
- See also Beckon (Priest Spell).
The reverse of this spell, beckon, attempts to conjure a creature from another plane. The type of creature, and the personal name (if any), must be spoken in the spell.
Magic resistance is checked only if the creature has no personal name. The creature's saving throw is determined as in the dismissal spell. If the creature fails its save, it is immediately transported to the spellcaster's location. This does not guarantee that the creature will be friendly to the spellcaster, nor does the spell caster have any form of control over the creature.
The material components of the spell vary with the form of the spell. Items which are despised by the creature are used for a dismissal. Items which are pleasing or desirable are used for a beckon spell. Certain arcane books are rumored to exist that allow an enhanced chance of success for this spell.