Hypersmurf said:Q. Can I make a dispel check to end Summon Monster III?
A. Is there an object or creature that is the effect of the ongoing spell in the area?
I can see an argument either way. One check per creature, or the check is either allowed or disallowed depending on whether or not there is a creature in the area.
Which leads us to a contradiction in how this spell works in the game with regards to other spells. This is something that does not happen elsewhere in the game.
You do not get a dispel check multiple times against the same spell elsewhere in the game (nor does any other spell affect one spell multiple times elsewhere in the game).
or
The text you quoted does not apply to every summoned creature in the area.
Either way, you have a weirdness in the rules.
Like I said, your interpretation is the literal one, it just happens to be one that does not match the rest of the spell (i.e. only dispelling part of another spell when the other spell is "spread out") nor the rest of the spell rules (i.e. a single target spell only affects one creature and an area spell only affects creatures within the area).
The spell appears to be in error with regard to this.