FAMILIARS

A familiar is a small creature, in the likeness of a house pet, which has bonded soul-to-soul with its mage and has become their companion. Familiars can speak, but can only be understood by their own mages.

However, a Life mage can also understand other mages' familiars if they have the magical ability to communicate with animals.

TYPES

BAT — Natural enjoyers of Blood and Shadow, and avoiders of Light, being nocturnal.

BIRD OF PREY — A class of strong hunters championed by the eagle, who can hunt creatures as large as foxes and wolves. Violence is a part of the cycle of life for these birds- they would not do well with pacifist individuals. They are best suited for travellers. Variants include all species of buzzard, eagle, falcon, hawk, kite, kestrel, and vulture.

CAT — A reputation for laziness. They are swift when the situation calls for their action. Cats will not hesitate to argue with their mage's poor decisions. Not very fond of Water magic, as one might imagine. Variants include cats of all coats and breeds. Magical variants include mutant cats such as the Meowclops.

DOVE — Curious, friendly and affectionate birds. Native to the Heartland. The soft white feathers of the dove stand in stark contrast to the darkness of the Haunted Woods.

DRAKE — Tiny dragons the size of a large housecat. They are resistant to magical attacks and are able to communicate with dragons. Food is the path to their little hearts.

FOX — Known for their strategy and cunning, for their ability to evade hunters. Variants include the arctic fox, fennec fox, red fox, and silver fox.

FLYING MONKEY — Natives of the distant Isle of the Vual'hi.

HEDGEHOG — The hedgehog much prefers a cozy home over travelling afar.

LIZARD — Associated with Life for the fact that they molt and regrow their skins. Variants include all species of lizards such as the chameleon, gecko, and skink.

OWL — Loyal to their mages. They need no address to find the recipients of the letters they carry. Variants include all owl species. Magical variants include the killing owl.

PEACOCK — Prideful birds who dislike the messy and ugly.

PHOENIX — Powerful birds of Fire. As familiars these creatures are exceedingly rare.

RABBIT — The cautious and timid cottontail would not make a good match for a foolhardy mage. They are not fond of long travel, and they avidly avoid Death magic.

RAT — Rats don't mind messy and ugly- they often get their paws in it.

RAVEN — Intelligent birds who make excellent guides. Ravens have always been associated with Death, as they feed on carrion. Trinkets are the way to these birds' hearts.

SALAMANDER — Long associated with the element of Fire. Variants include all salamander and newt species.

SCORPION — Creatures with a poisonous sting of value to Alchemists.

SNAKE — Associated with Life and Death magic, with venom of value to Alchemists. Variants include all snake species.

TARANTULA — Large spiders native to the Haunted Woods and Isle of the Vual'hi. Not many mages would pick the tarantula as their first choice in a companion, but maybe those mages are out there somewhere...

TOAD — Friends of Water. Variants include frog and toad species.

WEASEL — Playful creatures who like mages that can take a joke.