The AL-QADIMTM Monstrous Compendium introduces many new creatures, including tasked genies and noble dao, marids, and efreet. Sha'irs have no power over genies other than those listed above. For example, a sha'ir cannot bind a noble genie into servitude, nor can a sha'ir use a genie prison to snare a janni or a gen.
The tasked genie is an exception, however. At one time these strange creatures were ordinary dao, marids, efreet, and djinn. Each has performed a given task so long that its form has changed to match. For example, the warmonger, who encourages strife between men, has blood oozing from every pore. And the winemaker, who nurtures grape vines, has a long trunk with which it can crush the fruit.
A sha'ir who intends to call forth a tasked genie must first know how to call forth an ordinary genie. The sha'ir also needs another bit of knowledge: the proper ritual for calling forth the tasked genie. Such rituals are beautiful, esoteric blends of whispered poetry and gestures. Each type of tasked genie responds to a different ritual.
Learning a ritual is like researching a spell, with the same cost and chance for success. A tasked genie's Hit Dice define the ritual to which it responds.
Consider each ritual to be a spell whose level equals half the affected creature's Hit Dice, rounded up. (For example, to call upon a 7 HD tasked genie is as difficult as researching a 4th-level spell.) A successful check indicates that the wizard has learned enough to call upon that particular type of tasked genie. Failure means additional research is required. (The effort must be repeated.)
If a sha'ir intends to bind a tasked genie, the same steps apply: (1) the wizard must first know how to bind an ordinary genie, and (2) the wizard must research the tasked genie's habits to learn the proper ritual. The same is true when a sha'ir intends to imprison a tasked genie. In short, each ritual is specific to one action as well as to one type of genie.
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