Has this been done yet?

[Napftor]

I'm working on a proposal for DRAGON but don't want to waste my time on a topic that's already been addressed. The topic is: animated objects as familiars. These would be along the lines of a PC's favorite cloak, mug, sword, etc. Anyone ever come across this in an official source?

 

[Paraxis]

Item familiars is covered in UA.
Here is link to SRD with info.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/itemFamiliars.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[Jubilee]

The Urban Druid from the Dragon Compendium can have an animated object instead of an animal as a companion - although, I think it refers you to either the spell or an entry in the MM for stats and the like, as opposed to presenting rules or abilities with the class.

 

[Piratecat]

Item familiars is covered in UA.
Here is link to SRD with info.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/itemFamiliars.htm

Hope this helps.

Note that the UA's item familiars are fairly badly balanced in my opinion; I have no doubt you could do much better.

 

[Napftor]

Note that the UA's item familiars are fairly badly balanced in my opinion; I have no doubt you could do much better.

Yeah, after looking these over the rules do look a tad wonky. I want to stay closer to the PHB familiar rules and rule out already magical familiars (which UA addresses). That said, I am borrowing one thing from that book's writeup. Animated objects need "senses" after all. Thanks for the help all!

 

[Mistwell]

I think it's a great idea. You could have an animated chest as your familiar, ala the Discworld series. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Luggage