Table of Contents
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.
๐งฟ 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 casterโs class, magical affinity, or personality, and should be represented by a prop, token, costume piece, or visible marker.
๐ฎ 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
๐ญ 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.
๐ Roles of a Familiar
1. Character Enhancement
- May grant minor, GM-approved effects such as:
- Bonus spell uses
- Minor resistances
- Ritual support
- Effects are passive and thematicโnot 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
๐งฌ 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.
๐ซ 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.
Related Sections
Volaire LARP โ Your magic has a face. It watches, follows, and remembers.