A familiar is more of a spirit than an actual animal, though most familiars take on an animal form of some kind to blend in with the world around them. For this reason, animal forms tend to be ones more common to the area and in natural colorations. Once the familiar has chosen its form, it will not change. The creature tends to choose its companion rather than the other way around. Once chosen, the familiar bonds with its companion and will continue to remain by their side, often until death.
Familiars and their companions innately know where one another is at all times. They can communicate with one another in a kind of limited telepathy, sharing of emotions, and impressions and seem to innately understand one another.
Familiars have a mind of their own and will perform requests for their companion but may interpret them according to their own personalities. There are no limits as to how far a familiar can travel from its companion or how long they can be away, but most prefer not to be separated for long. They are also more intelligent than an animal and can perform complex operations if they possess the appendages to do so.
Familiars can come in many different forms but none of them are humanoid. They are all some manner of animal or creature. Their telepathic communication only works within a short distance such as within the same home, small building, or small park. You are not required to have more than one familiar, but the size limits apply to each level. Three small familiars are possible. One large familiar is possible. One of each size is possible. Two large or three medium is not.
| Levels | |
|---|---|
| 1 | You have one small familiar no bigger than a large house cat and no smaller than a rat. |
| 2 | You have one additional familiar no bigger than a large dog and no smaller than a rat for a total maximum of two familiars. |
| 3 | You have one additional familiar no bigger than a draft horse which may act as a mount and no smaller than a rat for a total maximum of three familiars. |
When used with the FS3 combat system, each Familiar may be added to the combat as an NPC animal to fight at your side or, at Level 3, you may have your third familiar as a mount if it is large enough to serve as one.
Your ST will add the animal to the combat as an animal of the appropriate size with a name and you will be able to control the NPC during combat.
Familiars, unlike animals controlled by Animal Influence, do not automatically leave combat when KO'ed and may be treated, rallied, and get back in the fight just like a PC. When a Familiar is KO'ed they are not killed but are simply too injured to continue and flee to recover.