Familiar Question

[Datt]

Can an animal that becomes a familiar die of old age before the wizard? Or does it no longer go by it's usual life span?

 

[Nail]

Can an animal that becomes a familiar die of old age before the wizard? Or does it no longer go by it's usual life span?

Given this statement:

....A familiar is a magical beast that resembles a small animal and is unusually tough and intelligent.....

One can assume that it will have the lifespan of the wizard. That is: an animal doesn't "become" a familiar. A familiar is not an animal at all. Given it's magical nature, it's lifespan is up to the DM, not nature.

 

[Datt]

Actually,

In the 3.5 SRD
A familiar is a normal animal that gains new powers and becomes a magical beast when summoned to service by a sorcerer or wizard....Only a normal, unmodified animal may become a familiar.

 

[Rath the Brown]

From Tomb & Blood page 10;

If the familiar has a shorter lifespan than the master, it ceases aging at its normal rate and instead ages at the standard rate for the master. If dismissed, it resumes its normal rate of aging but suffers no immediate ill effects. If the familiar has a longer lifespan that the master, it continues aging at its normal rate

 

[Datt]

Thanks Rath.

 

[Pax]

Datt: the "only a normal, unmodified animal" statement is not COMPLETELY true.

Ice Mephits, after all, aren't "normal, unmodified animals" ... ... all it takes is the Improved Familiar feat.