Nope! However, the circle is one of those things it needs to be complete and work at full capacity (it’s also the first line of defense for the summoner, so choosing not to draw it is dangerous).
A sloppy oval would work, just not as well. A complete lack of a circle could still work, but has a high chance of failure.
When it comes to craft, the most important thing is the symbol of the demon you wish to summon. A talented summoner may be able to manage with just that symbol and nothing else; but again, it has a high chance of failure, and it offers no protection.
But above all else, intent is what matters the most. This is why sometimes, a demon can be summoned with only a powerful will and a call of the demon’s name – spoken, or thought. But since a demon can outright refuse that summons when there’s a lack of their symbol, chances are they won’t answer (they have to use their own energy to manifest, which is cumbersome)… or they’ll answer simply because they know anyone stupid enough to summon them this way has no way to defend themselves. They could even devour the soul of the one who called them without a contract. Just depends on how lazy, or how hungry the demon is.
This is why summoners always take great care in crafting their complete summoning circles.
so like theoretically, does a summoning circle have to be a circle? so long as literally everything else is the same, does the shape matter?
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