Pet Rock Familiar

[Shampoohorn]

I recently picked up an about-to-be third level wizard in a pbem game. For some unknown reason the previous owner never chose a familiar. I started considering what to do about it; how to fit it into her story; maybe go with the improved familiar feat. Then I remembered a thread on the wizard boards and realized what I had to do...

My Pet Rock

Hit Dice: 1/4, 1hp / As per familiar
Initiative: -5 (dex)
Speed: 0'
AC: 13 (-5 Dex, +8 size); hardness 8
Attacks: --
Damage: 1d6 (thrown)
Face/Reach: -
Special Attacks: Stun (thrown)
Special Qualities: Elemental Traits
Saves: Fort 1, Ref -5, Will 0
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 0, Con --, Int (as per familiar), Wis 11, Cha 11
Skills: Hide +26 (+15,-5 Dex, +16 Size), Listen +4, Spot +4
Feats: --


Damage: 1d6+Str when thrown

Special Attack: Stun DC:9

Wizard Bonus: +2 Fort Save

Elemental Traits: Immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning; not subject to critical hits or flanking; darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be raised or resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell can restore life)

-----------------------------

And just wait until I cast Elemental Familiar and turn him into an air -- errr, earth elemental.


How's it look? I mixed together the specs for a psicrystal and for a theoretical 'fine' earth elemental.

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

This is awesome. I am quite impressed. It is perfect and I would use it in my campaign.

You rock dude!

 

[Valicor]

I like it, He makes a good weapon, when your mage rusn out of spells to.
heh, good show.

 

[cossakking]

huh

you must be stoned! what you have is a good foundation but nothing you can build on yet....

don't forget that pet rocks are -10 on swimming. (unless they are the pet rock subspecies known as lava....)

plus you might be able to take improved familiar and get a moon rock.....

would they also get a +2 bonus to perform (1/2 of rock and roll...)

 

[Shampoohorn]

don't forget that pet rocks are -10 on swimming

Please! He (he? who can tell.) has +30 on diving and can hold his breath as long as he wants. As for perform, such things don't interest a rock; they're much more meditative, on-the-mountaintop types.

Seriously though, thanks for the praise. A pet rock is a great way to explain away why the others in her group haven't seen my wizard's familiar yet. I'm going to have her start talking into her backpack soon...

 

[Crothian]

Please! He (he? who can tell.)

You pick it up and check.

has +30 on diving and can hold his breath as long as he wants. As for perform, such things don't interest a rock; they're much more meditative, on-the-mountaintop types.[/B]

Don't for get the +40 to hide in gravel.

Seriously though, thanks for the praise. A pet rock is a great way to explain away why the others in her group haven't seen my wizard's familiar yet. I'm going to have her start talking into her backpack soon... [/B]

It is a very interesting idea. So, can the rock see and hear? I'd actually give it a speed of like 5'. Allow it to slowely roll on the ground and make jump checks.

 

[Zhure]

Or use the stats for a psicrystal.
Greg

 

[Shampoohorn]

It is a very interesting idea. So, can the rock see and hear? I'd actually give it a speed of like 5'. Allow it to slowely roll on the ground and make jump checks.

Crothian,
I was tempted to give it blindsight 5' but opted instead for the standard Earth Elemental darkvision 60'. I have no idea whether it can hear.; maybe tremorsense but again leaning towards too powerful. If I took the improved familiar feat, then maybe.

I'm content with the speed being "as hard as I can throw it." This could be a very cool familiar for a halfling wizard. Maybe give it a bonus as a halfling skiprock?

I'm also toying with the idea of allowing it to slowly morph its shape. Sphere today, glob tomorrow.

Zhure,
I mentioned basing it one the psicrystal stats. First post. Lots of things about psicrystals don't jibe with familiars. I brought it more in line with familiar stats by using some applicable earth elemental characteristics. He's (I checked, he's a he) a chip of the old block.
:rolleyes

 

[Shampoohorn]

bump

Any more comments from anyone about Pet Rocks? Tweaks? Mistakes?

How about 30' tremorsense instead of 60' darkvision (the earth elemental standard)?

 

[Xarlen]

I don't think the tremorsense is out of line. The illusionist in the party has a bat, with Blindsight, and when darkness comes into play, or invisible oponents, he just converses with the bat.

Though some sound advice: not all oponents will touch the ground, so don't take tremorsense for granite.

Though, I have to wonder, does it have feelings? Emphatic link with a rock could be... rather passive.

If you have a halfling wizard... How big is the rock? Can you fit it into a sling?