Unaswered sage advice

[Ferret]

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by size?

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by type?

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by hit dice?

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by alignment?

In T&B the feat “Improved familiar” implies you are limited to the creature in the PHB (if you do not take the feat), or can you take other creatures?

What other creatures can you take when you purchase the feat “Improved familiar”?

How do you determine the spellcaster level required for the creature you bind with “Improved familiar”?

When using homebrewed familiars, how do you decide what abilities it gives the caster?

If you have a familiar and the appropriate levels of cleric and levels of the geomancer prestige class, does your familiar benefit from your drifts?

Thank you for your advice

(plus if you answer can you quote it and the page exactly)

*Lots of the familiars are tiny so small might be relative

 

[Vaxalon]

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by size?

Yes. They should be two sizes smaller than you are.

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by type?

Yes. They should be animals, unless you have the Improved Familiar feat.

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by hit dice?

Only insofar as animals of the appropriate size usually do not have more than a few hit dice.

When binding a familiar is that creature restricted by alignment?

Yes. It has the same alignment as you do.

In T&B the feat “Improved familiar” implies you are limited to the creature in the PHB (if you do not take the feat), or can you take other creatures?

Again, limited by size and type.

What other creatures can you take when you purchase the feat “Improved familiar”?

There are LONG lists in recent Dragon magazines. (anyone care to list them?)

How do you determine the spellcaster level required for the creature you bind with “Improved familiar”?

Based on size, type, and powers.

When using homebrewed familiars, how do you decide what abilities it gives the caster?

You look at the behavior and abilities of the critter. If it's particularly able (raven) then it doesn't give much. If it's basically a mobile lump (toad) it gives something good.

If you have a familiar and the appropriate levels of cleric and levels of the geomancer prestige class, does your familiar benefit from your drifts?

No.

 

[Crothian]

There are no rules on this written, so it's no wonder the Sage didn't respond.

Size: I'd say small or tiny.

Type: Animal only

HD: 1 or less

Alignment: Most animals are neutral

There are other Familiar option in one of the Dragons otherwise you are limited to the PHB unless the DM gives you an exemption.

With the Improved Familiar feat you are limited to those choices. Feats tell you what they give. Of course the DM can allow others.

The level requirement seems to be best guess. Really hard to say.

Not all familairs give the caster abilities. THe more useful the familiar, the less useful the ability. For the most part I try to use common sense and give an ability that the familiar seems to personlize.

No, familiars would not benefit from drifts.

This is all of my opinion of course. I have DMed quite a few familiars and improved familiars.

 

[Ferret]

Thanks, I really think they could have been less ambiguos...

 

[Thanee]

Can a medium-sized caster use a familiar listed in T&B for small-sized casters (i.e. thrush or screech owl)?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Crothian]

Can a medium-sized caster use a familiar listed in T&B for small-sized casters (i.e. thrush or screech owl)?

Bye
Thanee

I don't see why not.