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Familiars

SeverinR

Vala
I wrote up the process for calling a familiar,
Bascially the wizard goes out into the wild and anything within miles could be drawn to the wizard.
It could be done in town, but anything that doesn't live in town might get killed looking for the wizard, and in town you are stuck with cat, dog, rat, mouse, snake or large spider.
There is no guarantee of safety from animals not affected by the magic, ie the wolf that wonders into the circle might or might not be the animal drawn by the magic, and the wizard might be potential dinner. Even the attracted animal can deem the caster unfit and flee, or attack.
The familiar can be any animal living or dead other then humanoid. (There is set up to prevent undead familiars, such as bless the imediate area, and don't use the magic near a graveyard.)
Casting near a plane portal, could attract a beast from another plane, unless really powerful mage, I would assume the wizard would be attacked and killed for the attempt.

The problems with larger familiars is housing them and keeping them safe when not at home. A cow for example, would be a welcomed meal for many poor family, and would not be welcome in a tavern or inn.

Some examples might be: Frog, newt, large spider, squirrel(not jus any squirrel, a twained squirrel), song bird, bird of prey,
vulture, owl, ferret, ground hog, badger, wolverine(not freindly to anyone else),Weasel, pig, fox, skunk(now that would be an unwelcomed friend.), wolf, coyote, wild dog, mountain lion, snake, lizard, deer, bison, rhino, elephant, how about giant insects?
To give a few ideas of what might come to the calling.
 

Saigonnus

Auror
The problems with larger familiars is housing them and keeping them safe when not at home. A cow for example, would be a welcomed meal for many poor family, and would not be welcome in a tavern or inn.

Some examples might be: Frog, newt, large spider, squirrel(not jus any squirrel, a twained squirrel), song bird, bird of prey,
vulture, owl, ferret, ground hog, badger, wolverine(not freindly to anyone else),Weasel, pig, fox, skunk(now that would be an unwelcomed friend.), wolf, coyote, wild dog, mountain lion, snake, lizard, deer, bison, rhino, elephant, how about giant insects?
To give a few ideas of what might come to the calling.

I think the rhino and elephant would face the same problem as other large creatures, though any wizard worth their salt could easily put up wards to protect their familiar if it is housed in a stable. Wolves and mountain lions would likewise face other challenges. I am imagining a mountain lion walking on the heels of the wizard through a crowded city... the townsfolk would probably freak out and call the city guards to "handle" it. Let one into an inn or tavern? Not likely, it might decide to feast on the resident mouser or the innkeepers' pet Parrot.
 

Addison

Auror
Smaller familiars like cats, snakes and birds may be more convenient (less doody duty). But bigger familiars are more powerful and can be more helpful like bears, stags, dragons.

I have heard of two ways to call/make a familiar. One is you find an animal, your choice, draw a circle and recite a spell proclaiming that the circled animal is now your familiar.

The other is not so easy.
 

Addison

Auror
This ritual is from Aldwyns Magic Academy. (From a Practical Guide to Wizardry)

The students at this academy partake in a ritual until they get a familiar. Their familiar is the one thing in their life that won't change. When a wizard, in this version, calls a familiar it is actually the familiar that chooses the wizard. The wizard has no idea what kind of animal will appear, but the animal will be perfect for the wizard. Sometimes the animal will have chosen the wizard before the festival.

Once the calling process begins, the wizard can no eat, drink, speak or move until a familiar has come and accepted the wizard's offering. This can takes from hours or days. (The festival is a week long) The wizard must follow direction to the letter. If a mistake is made the familiar won't come and the wizard will have to wait another year, or the familiar will be something else. (A wizard who ate the food left for the familiar got a pig for a familiar.)

After the familiar has come the bond will grow. They will bond, change. If a wizard gets a...iguana for a familiar the wizard may start to enjoy laying in the sun. If the wizard enjoys making potions the iguana could start pushing ingredients around. Often times physical changes will occur. In this example the wizard's hair could become spiked, the iguana's skin could shade to the wizard's or it could take on the wizard's habit of clicking its tongue.

Each familiar requires both compassion and care, which are necessary not just for health but for the bond.

The book, "A Practical Guide to Wizardry" is a great read.
 

Ireth

Myth Weaver
Once the calling process begins, the wizard can no eat, drink, speak or move until a familiar has come and accepted the wizard's offering. This can takes from hours or days. (The festival is a week long)

If the calling process can last for days, how does the wizard not starve or dehydrate to death?

Oh, wait... magic. Duh. XD
 

Addison

Auror
Could be magic or they could stuff themselves the entire week prior. So the festival is like a fasting. The book didn't say exact details of the process, just the rules and requirements.
 

Addison

Auror
Lightning bird...:redface: Cool!

Just make sure your character either has protective, enchanted clothes or a rubber saddle. Lightning birds, in the mythology I know, send lightning from their eyes and their bodies are covered in electricity.
 
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