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operations:public:interactive_rulebook:core:familiars

Familiars


A Familiar is a magical companion created through Ritual Magic. Unlike pets or summoned creatures, familiars are non-combat spiritual extensions of the character, offering narrative depth, passive bonuses, and opportunities for rich character expression.


๐Ÿงฟ What Is a Familiar?

Familiars are:

  • Non-combatants
  • Bound to a single character
  • Created via a specific Create Familiar Ritual
  • Visibly represented in-game

They reflect the casterโ€™s class, magical affinity, or personality, and should be represented by a prop, token, costume piece, or visible marker.


๐Ÿ”ฎ Obtaining a Familiar

To gain a familiar, you must:

  • Successfully complete the Create Familiar Ritual
  • Provide the required components
  • Be assisted by a Ritual Marshal
  • Have the Ritual Magic skill needed to cast the scroll

Familiars are bound to one character, and this bond continues from game to game unless broken by:

  • Dispel magic
  • Character death
  • Specific ritual interference

๐ŸŽญ Representing a Familiar

All familiars must be visibly represented. Options include:

  • A small plush, puppet, or magical token
  • Costume pieces (e.g., a glowing gem, arcane brooch)
  • An approved player or NPC acting as the familiar

Familiars may have a name, appearance, or personality but cannot speak unless enhanced through rituals.


๐ŸŒŸ Roles of a Familiar

1. Character Enhancement

  • May grant minor, GM-approved effects such as:
  1. Bonus spell uses
  2. Minor resistances
  3. Ritual support
  • Effects are passive and thematicโ€”not mechanical power-ups

2. Narrative Anchor

  • Can emote, gesture, or respond to character mood
  • May sense magical danger or amplify dramatic moments
  • Useful as a symbolic or emotional tether

3. World Interaction

  • May assist in rituals, alchemy labs, or scene flavor
  • Cannot act without the bonded player present
  • Can roleplay delivering messages, sensing magic, or reacting to relics

๐Ÿงฌ Augmenting a Familiar

Familiars may be enhanced through advanced rituals or storyline milestones.

Possible augmentations (requires GM or Ritual Marshal approval):

  • Limited communication (one-word phrases, emotional cues)
  • Visual transformations (glowing eyes, wings, elemental features)
  • Additional resistances or passive traits

Augmentations require components, ritual casting, and often roleplay justification.


๐Ÿšซ Familiar Limitations

  • Non-combatant โ€“ Cannot deal or absorb damage or block spells
  • Not autonomous โ€“ Cannot act independently of their player
  • Passive-only โ€“ No active mechanics unless approved via augmentation
  • Loss & Regrowth โ€“ Familiars can be destroyed by magical trauma or failure and may be restored only through roleplay and effort

Treat the loss of a Familiar as a significant narrative event, not a reset button.



Volaire LARP โ€“ Your magic has a face. It watches, follows, and remembers.

operations/public/interactive_rulebook/core/familiars.txt ยท Last modified: 2025/06/01 09:06 by eric

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