A mage's familiar is a living Focus, a creature bound to a practitioner’s soul to serve as a biological bridge for channeling complex magical energies. Unlike static tools, the familiar acts as an extension of the caster's own senses and willpower, often assisting in the stabilization of raw power or acting as a secondary Vessel for storing minor spell charges.

All familiars have the following Abilities:

Familiars act on the same Initiative count as their owner.

The owner can dismiss the familiar at any time, severing the connection and reverting it to a mundane beast/spirit.

Familiars grant the following benefits to their spellcaster.

Soul Link - The familiar and its owner can transfer HP back and forth through their connection as a Reaction.

Familiar Senses - The Spellcaster can use its action to “see” through the familiar's senses. While doing so, the spellcaster does not have access to its own senses.

Spell Link - The spellcaster can treat the familiar as part of its “self” for the purpose of casting spells. The spell can originate with the familiar or the caster and touch spells can be delivered by the familiar.

The death of a familiar is a traumatic event akin to having an icy dagger plunged directly into your soul. When your familiar dies, you immediately lose concentration on all active spell effects and become Exhausted.

Further, you may not bond with a new familiar until you complete a Shift Rest.