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.

Familiars are:

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

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

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

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.

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 thematic—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

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.

• Non-combatant – Cannot deal or absorb damage or block spells
• Not autonomous – Cannot act independently of their player
• Passive-only – No active mechanics unless approved via augmentation
• Loss & Regrowth – 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.

• Ritual Magic
• Magic & Spellcasting
• Status Effects

Volaire LARP – Your magic has a face. It watches, follows, and remembers.