Familiars as Baby-Sitters

[roguerouge]

Pseudodragons do have telepathy, kicking sense motive and good senses for hide and seek.

Stirge, shocker lizard, and the elementals seem like trouble, however.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Maybe not so much; changing diapers, feeding, putting to bed kind.

But I could so see a hyper-intelligent familiar as a child's mentor or teacher. I can just imagine a kid studying a tome as the Imp sits beside him correcting his wording of summoning words.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

But I could so see a hyper-intelligent familiar as a child's mentor or teacher. I can just imagine a kid studying a tome as the Imp sits beside him correcting his wording of summoning words.

Yes, with a rose stem across the knuckles when the kid gets it wrong. We are talking about an Imp after all. But at least they're predictable, it's the chaotic ones you'd need to worry about. I mean even assuming through the link an affection for the child was transferred their nature is still what it is. And thus would color the sort of lessons being taught and means by which to encourage the child.

 

[Graf]

Thread subtitle:
"Or: How to get your familiar to resent you."

Thread subsubtitle:
"And: possibly scar the child for life"

It's a good idea though, for older kids.

 

[Kesh]

I can just imagine the first time someone leaves their raven familiar to watch their kid.

Kid: "Hey, look! A nickle!" *throws over a hill*
Raven: "SHINY!" chases nickle while kid goes off to play

 

[Slife]

Unless the familiar is humanoid in form, it would make a poor babysitter. Can't change a diaper.

Ring of prestidigitation, along with a

Can't feed the kid.

hand of the mage.

That's like, what? 2 k gp, tops? And they're somewhat useful when adventuring as well.

 

[sckeener]

Ring of prestidigitation, along with a

hand of the mage.

That's like, what? 2 k gp, tops? And they're somewhat useful when adventuring as well.

Dang that is a useful idea. snagged.

 

[billd91]

Maybe not so much; changing diapers, feeding, putting to bed kind.

But I could so see a hyper-intelligent familiar as a child's mentor or teacher. I can just imagine a kid studying a tome as the Imp sits beside him correcting his wording of summoning words.

I could see this with an apprentice and his own familiar. While the familiar is technically the apprentice's, it's really doing the bidding of the master wizard by trying to keep the naturally lazy kid on task.

 

[Crothian]

Maybe not so much; changing diapers, feeding, putting to bed kind.

But the first time the kid cries, too sleep it goes

 

[Voadam]

I'd say they'd be good mental sitters, but not physical ones. They may be smart enough to mind the baby and instruct the child, but if the kid is intent on mischief, you need a sitter that is physically capable of making the kid mind.

This is D&D. One of the familiar options is a housecat. They are physically capable of taking out full-fledged adult commoners.

The toad however . . .