Familiar
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Familiars are intelligent magical entities created to serve a spellcaster.[1]
Familiars can be divided into three distinct types of familiar: Power, Spell and Combat/Warrior.[1]
Chaos Sorcerers
They almost always summon minor Daemon summoned directly from the Realm of Chaos.[1] These are often, but not always, Imps.[4]
Colleges of Magic
Collegiate wizards fashion their familiars but the nature of this can vary - some take a physical object and summon a Aethyric Spirit directly into it, bringing it to life. Other wizards create the familiar from their own imagination, literally fashioning it via magic power. Witch Hunters often consider them all Daemons.[1]
History
Until the founding of the Colleges of Magic, animals were by far the most common type of Power Familiarbut the High Elf Archmage Teclis cautioned spirit-bonding could lead to Chaos corruption. Those few College wizards who do have animal familiars usually follow naturalistic traditions such as Beast or Life magic.[2]
Relationship with the Wizard
They usually share a strong bond with their creator and even genuine affection for one them but this can be hidden behind layers of argument, bickering, sarcasm, moaning and sulking. On occasion, they will grow to resent their creator but are still duty bound to serve them.[1]
Wizards only ever have a single familiar as the magical creatures see others of their kind as rivals and will soon attack each other until one is killed.[3]
Types
- Combat/Warrior Familiars: Skilled fighters who can provide their creator with a bodyguards.[1] They are not especially bright and if their master is unconsious or asleep they may attack friends or foes if they come close.[3]
- Power Familiars: Magical energy reservoirs who can assist their masters to cast spells and understand magic.[1] They tend to be shy and retiring who seek safety at the slightest hint of danger.[3]
- Spell Familiars: Spellcasters themselves,[1] they are usually curious and affectionate who enjoy being fussed over.[3]
Witches and Hedge Witches
They prefer to befriend and tame a natural animal or bird which they enchant to raise its intelligence and understanding becomming a magical creature in the process.[1] Gifted animals are spirit-bonded without a sacrifice but the death of an animal familiar is traumatic to its master or mistress.[2]
Notes
In 1st Edition Realms of Sorcery, there was a fourth kind of Familiar - the Assistant.[3]
Gallery
Animal Power Familiar
Spell Familiar
Miniatures
Chaos Familiars
Sources
- 1: Winds of Magic (book), "Familiars," pgs. 180-181
- 2: Archives of the Empire Vol III, "Animal Familiars," pg. 75
- 3: Realms of Sorcery (1st Edition), "Familiars," pgs. 242-245
- 4: WFRP Rulebook (2nd Edition), ch. XI, pg. 229