Earth Elemental Familiar?

[Drake M]

I have several questions concerning Earth Elementals as familiars. One of my players wants one, and I think it will work out well.

1.) Can they wear magic items? They do not have fingers, so obviously can't wear rings, but clearly have a head/neck/shoulders, and could conceivably wear amulets. I know magic items can be given to summoned creatures, but see no rules as to what can wear what.

2.) Can they wield weapons? I know for a fact they could wear armor as per the "armor for unusual creatures" rules, but I'm uncertain about weapons.

3.) If it tried to move through stone while holding something, would the something accompany it?

 

[Runestar]

Being generally humanoid in shape, I am fairly sure an earth elemental could use the same magic items as a human PC, including wielding a weapon. Whether they follow him along in earth glide is another matter though (ie: I have no idea).

At least for me, I once statted an earth elemental warblade and gave him a greatsword.

 

[Jack Simth]

The answer for such questions is generally "Ask your DM" - but in this case, you're the DM, so that's out. The best you can get from us is opinions, really, as most of the things you have questions about are not clearly spelled out as written.

In general, any helpful effect that affects you also affects your equipment - if you turn invisible, so does your equipment; if you teleport, you don't arrive nude, and so on. If a player wanted the earth elemental to carry something through a wall, I'd *probably* let it.

As for wearing magic items, you won't find any hard-and-fast rules. If you look enough, you'll find a spot that says "ask your DM" or similar. In general, though, it's a matter of "Take a look at the picture. Does it look like it could reasonably wear/wield that item"?

As for weapons, it's a bit easier: Familiars don't get more feats, and elementals don't have proficiency with weapons.

 

[LuckyBoneDice]

The answer for such questions is generally "Ask your DM" - but in this case, you're the DM, so that's out. The best you can get from us is opinions, really, as most of the things you have questions about are not clearly spelled out as written.

In general, any helpful effect that affects you also affects your equipment - if you turn invisible, so does your equipment; if you teleport, you don't arrive nude, and so on. If a player wanted the earth elemental to carry something through a wall, I'd *probably* let it.

As for wearing magic items, you won't find any hard-and-fast rules. If you look enough, you'll find a spot that says "ask your DM" or similar. In general, though, it's a matter of "Take a look at the picture. Does it look like it could reasonably wear/wield that item"?

As for weapons, it's a bit easier: Familiars don't get more feats, and elementals don't have proficiency with weapons.

While yes, Familairs don't get more feats, you take the type into account. Along with everything elese, it is still first and foremost an Outsider, thus it has Outsider proficiencies

 

[Jack Simth]

While yes, Familairs don't get more feats, you take the type into account. Along with everything elese, it is still first and foremost an Outsider, thus it has Outsider proficiencies

They're Elementals Actually which... now that I look at it closer, get Simple Weapon Proficiency if they're "generally humanoid in form" - which is to say "Ask your DM"... which is unhelpful for the OP, as he IS the DM.

 

[Runestar]

As for wearing magic items, you won't find any hard-and-fast rules. If you look enough, you'll find a spot that says "ask your DM" or similar. In general, though, it's a matter of "Take a look at the picture. Does it look like it could reasonably wear/wield that item"?

Which wotc has ignored more often than not. For instance, even beholders can wear belts, bracers, up to 3 rings, 3 lenses and 3 amulets by dangling them all over its various eye stalks. This despite not having any limbs.

Personally, I would just allow them to use the same array of eq a generic PC can. If they lack the specific body slot, simply allow them to drap said item somewhere near that body part. If you think they lack fingers to wear rings, let them wear it as an earring, nose-ring or somewhere.

As for weapon prof, you can easily have your earth elemental swap out its 1st lv feat for a martial weapon proficiency feat. Or find him a weapon with the skillful weapon property. Who needs power attack anyways?

 

[LuckyBoneDice]

They're Elementals Actually which... now that I look at it closer, get Simple Weapon Proficiency if they're "generally humanoid in form" - which is to say "Ask your DM"... which is unhelpful for the OP, as he IS the DM.

Then allow it, since an Earth Elemental 99.99% of them are "Humanoid-Shaped"

 

[Starbuck_II]

I have several questions concerning Earth Elementals as familiars. One of my players wants one, and I think it will work out well.

1.) Can they wear magic items? They do not have fingers, so obviously can't wear rings, but clearly have a head/neck/shoulders, and could conceivably wear amulets. I know magic items can be given to summoned creatures, but see no rules as to what can wear what.

Wait, what: Your elementals have no fingers?

 

[Jhaelen]

As for wearing magic items, you won't find any hard-and-fast rules.

Of course there are. Magic Item Compendium has rules for non-humanoid creatures.

Other supplements such as Lords of Madness (for beholders) have rules for specific monsters.

 

[Jack Simth]

Of course there are. Magic Item Compendium has rules for non-humanoid creatures.

Other supplements such as Lords of Madness (for beholders) have rules for specific monsters.

Sort of. It specifies what to do with things that lack fingers... but it doesn't say what constitutes a finger, and doesn't list all creatures as whether or not they have fingers. Which amounts to "Check the picture: Does it look like it would fit?" - which I don't consider a "hard and fast rule", primarily because you'll get dissenting opinions with multiple people attempting to interpret the same critter.