Bonded objects and familiars. Are they balanced?

[JacktheRabbit]

An invitation from the queen is not an invitation, even if it may look like one.
Its a command to appear.

If that is so then the Queen can try to send her guards to prove that. But if she is asking for the party to appear then that is because she needs them to do something and being an annoying wench to a group of people who can generally level a small city when made angry is not a good way to accomplish that.

 

[DragonLancer]

The idea that city gate guards are going to have casters with them to find spellcasters or magically tooled up individuals entering the city, is using magic as technology which I detest. I want a mediveal world with my D&D added.

As for the debate, reading through the book I instantly jumped at bonded items. IMO they are far superior to taking a familiar. That the wizards has an extra spell for whatever he needs ("damg, I don't have a knock spell. Time to camp up till tomorrow morning lads...") is fantastic. I'd much rather have that than a bonus save or skill mod from a familiar.