Familiar

This is a Golariopedia Featured Article.
See also: animal companion, eidolon, and spirit animal

A **familiar** is an animal, or some other exotic creature, chosen to aid an arcane spellcaster's study of magic.

## Wizard or arcanist familiars

A wizard's or an arcanist's familiar grants special abilities to its master, but only when the familiar and its master are within one mile of each other. If a familiar is lost or dies, it can be replaced one week later through a specialized ritual that takes eight hours to complete.

### Common wizard or arcanist familiars

The following familiars are commonly found to be used by wizards, arcanists, adepts, and some sorcerers and witches on Golarion.

* cat
* hawk
* lizard
* monkey (also for a sea singer bard)
* owl
* raven (see Witch familiars)
* snake, viper (also for a sorcerer with the serpentine bloodline).
* toad
* weasel

### School familiars

Some specialist wizards may adopt a familiar specific to their chosen school of magic. These **school familiars**, although looking like a normal familiar, gain powers associated with the master's specialist school.

## Witch familiars

A witch's familiar is slightly different from a wizard's. By forging strange bonds with unnameable beings, witches gain the service of a mystical adviser, a familiar to both serve her and reveal to her secrets unknown to most mortals. Familiars grant witches bonuses to skills, additional spells, and help with some types of magic. A witch must commune with her familiar each day to prepare her spells. Familiars store all of the spells that a witch knows, and a witch cannot prepare a spell that is not stored by her familiar. A witch can also add additional spells to her familiar through a special ritual. If a witch's familiar is lost or dies, it can be replaced one day later through a special ritual that takes eight hours to complete.

### Common witch familiars

Witches of Irrisen are known to favor ravens as familiars.

The following familiars are most associated with witches, but are also often used by wizards and sorcerers.

* centipede
* crab
* giant flea (only available for witches)
* octopus
* scorpion
* spider

### Patron familiars

**Patron familiars** are witch familiars that are tied to the same patron as their mistress or master and reinforce the connections to the source of the witch's power. almost identical to a normal witch's familiar, patron familiars have certain special abilities that are associated with their patron power.

## Sorcerer familiars

As well as the choice of a familiar similar to a wizard's, sorcerers may choose to take on a familiar that is more sorcerer related.

### Bloodline familiars

**Bloodline familiars** are restricted to those spellcasters having an inherent magical capability such as sorcerers, but also bloodragers, whose magic is associated with the same bloodline as the familiar. These familiars tend to manifest abilities that resonate with the particular bloodline they share with their master or mistress.

### Sorcerer tattoo familiars

Some sorcerers adopt a tattoo as a familiar. The familiar creature can be carried as a tattoo on the sorcerer's skin or released as a normal familiar.

## Other class familiars

### Druids

A blight druid may call a familiar in a similar fashion to a wizard, as they cannot call an animal companion.

Some druids associated with a domain may gain a familiar associated with their animal domain instead of attracting an animal companion.

Other druids attune themselves to bodiless nature spirits and can bring these spirits into being as creatures called leshies, that act like familiars.

### Clerics and rangers

Clerics or rangers of Besmara may choose a familiar instead of a domain or an animal companion, respectively.

### Other classes

Very rarely members of other classes and prestige classes may qualify for a familiar such as paladins, bards, fighters, and stargazers.

## Vampiric familiars

Some vampires and dhampirs may call a vampiric familiar.

## Uncommon familiars

The following familiars are either less commonly chosen, or are common only for specific races or in certain locations: It is quite possible that many other animals, similar to those mentioned here, could also be adopted as a familiar.

* armadillo
* bat: flying fox
* bustard, often in Katapesh
* capybara
* cat: margay
* centipede: house centipede
* chicken
* crab: king crab
* crow, frequently used by orc sorcerers
* dinosaur: compsognathus
* dolphin: popoto
* *figurine of wondrous power*
* fox
	+ fox, bushtail fennec, often in Katapesh
* goat
* hedgehog
* ioun wyrd
* jerboa, often in Katapesh
* kakapo
* koala
* lich newt
* mole
* octopus: blue-ringed octopus
* otter
* peacock
* penguin
* petrifern
* petromin
* pig
* pterosaur: rhamphorhynchus
* pufferfish
* rabbit
* raccoon
* rat: donkey rat
* red panda
* scorpion:
	+ greensting scorpion
	+ lashtail scorpion, often in Katapesh
* skunk
* sloth
* slug: leopard slug
* spider
	+ scarlet spider
	+ solifugid, often in Katapesh
* squirrel
	+ flying squirrel
* thrush
* torble
* tortoise
* trilobite, a vermin familiar
* tuatara
* turtle
	+ snapping turtle
* wallaby
* wasp, only for Calistrians

### Nautical and Piratical Familiars

The following more exotic familiars are mostly associated with pirates and nautical spellcasters, but are not exclusive to them.

* dwarf caiman
* marine iguana
* giant isopod
* mongoose
* osprey
* sea krait
* seal
* snail kite
* toucan
* tullimonstrum

In addition to the normal array of familiars, Besmara allows birds, blue-ringed octopus, king crabs or monkeys.

### Cold-climate familiars

The following familiars are more appropriate for residents of the colder parts of Golarion:

* arctic hare
* arctic tern
* ermine
* penguin
* ptarmigan
* puffin
* snowy owl

### Improved familiars

Some powerful spellcasters may call a greater familiar, more powerful than those listed above, including:

* entropic version of a standard familiar
* fiendish version of a standard familiar, *e.g.*, a fiendish viper
* resolute version of a standard familiar
* aeon: paracletus
* agathion: silvanshee
* almiraj
* angel: cassisian
* archon: harbinger
* asura: tripurasura
* azata: lyrakien
* bat: sootwing bat
* beheaded: especially popular with necromancers and undead wizards, a severed head may be taken as a gruesome familiar
* brain mole
* brownie
* carbuncle, especially sorcerers with a fey bloodline and enchanters
* cat sith
* caypup
* ceru
* chuspiki
* clockwork familiar
* coral capuchin
* daemon: cacodaemon; this daemon is also the chosen familiar of souldrinkers
* demon: quasit
* devil: imp
* devil: imp consular
* div: doru
* dragon: calligraphy wyrm
* dragon: faerie dragon
* dragon: pseudodragon
* dragon: pseudowyvern
* dragon: pyrausta
* dragon: tidepool dragon
* drake: shadow drake
* dweomercat cub
* elemental: small air elemental
* elemental: small earth elemental
* elemental: small fire elemental
* elemental: small water elemental
* genie: jocta
* genie: zhyen, especially to a daivrat
* homunculus
* impundulu, appears as an imp or quasit when called as a familiar and consumes his master's soul when the master dies. Witches may also have impundulu serving as their familiar.
* inevitable: arbiter
* isitoq
* kami: shikigami: or garden kami, sometimes used by Tian casters
* katroome
* kyton: augur
* mamiwa
* mandragora
* mephit
* mockingfey
* nehushtan
* nycar
* oni: spirit oni
* pipefox
* pooka
* pseudosphinx
* psyche serpent
* psychopomp: nosoi
* protean: voidworm
* qlippoth: cythnigot
* dire rat
* rakshasa: raktavarna
* ratling
* sahkil: esipil
* seru
* sin seeker
* skvader
* sprite
	+ liminal sprite
* stirge
* typhilipede
* wolpertinger
* wysp
* xiao
* zoog

### Other familiars

Some spellcasters choose their own hand as a familiar after making a mutually acceptable bargain with some form of spirit, ghost or outsider to possess their hand. This form of familiar may aid its "master" in a number of ways, for instance, with extra powers of sight through the hand, with aid to fight with a weapon more effectively, or with ability to act on its own to manipulate objects on behalf of the caster. Perhaps somewhat more horrifically, such a familiar can rip from its master's body and act utterly independently before being reattached to the master's arm.

Some constructs can be used as familiars, such as small hand-crafted poppets.

## Named familiars

The following are known to be familiars of spellcasters on Golarion:

## Magic Items

There exists a magic item called a *periapt of temporary familiar* that allows its wearer to summon a familiar for a few minutes and thus gaining all the advantages of having one. This item may not be used, however, by those who already have a proper familiar.

## References

Paizo has published a major work about familiars in its Pathfinder Player Companion line called *Familiar Folio*.

1. ↑ http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/classes/wizard.html#familiars
2. ↑ http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/monsters/familiar.html#familiar
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. IFC*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advanced/coreClasses/bard.html#sea-singer
5. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 14*f'**. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.**
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advanced/baseClasses/witch.html#witch%27s-familiar
7. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 50*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
8. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 99*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
9. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 17*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
10. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 16*f'**. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.**
11. ↑ Jesse Benner, Jason Nelson, Sean K. Reynolds, Owen K.C. Stephens, and Russ Taylor (2011). *Inner Sea Magic*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 40*. ISBN 978-1-60125-360-6.
12. ↑ http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advanced/coreClasses/druid.html#blight-druid
13. ↑ Savannah Broadway, Paris Crenshaw, Neall Raemonn Price, David Ross, Owen K.C. Stephens, and James L. Sutter (2013). *Faiths & Philosophies*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 25*. ISBN 978-1-60125-543-3.
14. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 7*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Template:Cite book/The Wormwood Mutiny
16. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 6*f'**. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.**
17. ↑ Template:Cite book/Paths of the Righteous
18. ↑ Template:Cite book/Blood of the Night
19. ↑ Template:Cite book/Monster Codex
20. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 12*f'**. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.**
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 96*f'**. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.**
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Template:Cite book/Animal Archive
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 112*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Template:Cite book/Legacy of Fire Player's Guide
25. ↑ 25.00 25.01 25.02 25.03 25.04 25.05 25.06 25.07 25.08 25.09 25.10 25.11 25.12 25.13 Jason Bulmahn, *et al* (2011). *Ultimate Magic*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 117*ff'**. ISBN 978-1-60125-299-9.**
26. ↑ Template:Cite book/Ultimate Wilderness
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 24*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
28. ↑ Template:Cite book/Orcs of Golarion
29. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 90*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 26*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
31. ↑ Template:Cite book/Classic Treasures Revisited
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 112*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 30*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
34. ↑ Template:Cite book/Trail of the Hunted
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 25*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 113*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 27*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
38. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 31*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
39. ↑ Template:Cite book/Fires of Creation
40. ↑ Template:Cite book/Souls for Smuggler's Shiv
41. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 232*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
42. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 252*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
43. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Bastards of Erebus
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 113*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
45. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 273*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
46. ↑ Template:Cite book/Dirty Tactics Toolbox
47. ↑ Rob McCreary. (19 April 2012). *Pirate Familiars*, Paizo Blog.
48. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Wormwood Mutiny
49. ↑ Template:Cite book/City in the Deep
50. ↑ Template:Cite book/Reign of Winter Player's Guide
51. ↑ http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/feats.html#improved-familiar
52. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. IBC*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Paizo Staff (2009). *Pathfinder RPG Bestiary*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 294*. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1.
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 292*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
55. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 11*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
56. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 21*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
57. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 8*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
58. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 26*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
59. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 18*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
60. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 26*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
61. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 38*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
62. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Skinsaw Murders
63. ↑ Template:Cite book/Monster Codex
64. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Haunting of Harrowstone
65. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 17*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
66. ↑ Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 46*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
67. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 49*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
68. ↑ Template:Cite book/Stolen Land
69. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 44*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
70. ↑ Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 28*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 Will McCardell *et al* (2015). *Familiar Folio*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 29*. ISBN 978-1-60125-731-4.
72. ↑ Jim Groves, James Jacobs, Rob McCreary, *et al* (2012). *Inner Sea Bestiary*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 9*. ISBN 978-1-60125-468-9.
73. ↑ Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 56*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
74. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Asylum Stone
75. ↑ Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 57*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
76. ↑ Template:Cite book/Island of Empty Eyes
77. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 64*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
78. ↑ Template:Cite book/Horsemen of the Apocalypse
79. ↑ Template:Cite book/Lords of Chaos
80. ↑ http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/monsters/devil.html#devil-imp
81. ↑ Template:Cite book/Howl of the Carrion King
82. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 86*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 83.2 Alexander Augunas, Robert Brookes, Thurston Hillman, *et al* (2016). *Legacy of Dragons*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 26*f'**. ISBN 978-1-60125-853-3.**
84. ↑ Template:Cite book/Bonus Bestiary
85. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 91*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
86. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Wormwood Mutiny
87. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 80*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
88. ↑ Template:Cite book/Sound of a Thousand Screams
89. ↑ Template:Cite book/Songbird, Scion, Saboteur
90. ↑ Template:Cite book/Qadira, Gateway to the East
91. ↑ Template:Cite book/Qadira, Gateway to the East
92. ↑ Template:Cite book/Vaults of Madness
93. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 162*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
94. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 159*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
95. ↑ Template:Cite book/Forest of Spirits
96. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 163*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
97. ↑ Template:Cite book/Gallows of Madness
98. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 171*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
99. ↑ Template:Cite book/Ire of the Storm
100. ↑ Template:Cite book/A Memory of Darkness
101. ↑ Jim Groves, James Jacobs, Rob McCreary, *et al* (2012). *Inner Sea Bestiary*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 31*. ISBN 978-1-60125-468-9.
102. ↑ Template:Cite book/Scourge of the Godclaw
103. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 207*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
104. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Brinewall Legacy
105. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 209*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
106. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 215*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
107. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 216*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
108. ↑ Template:Cite book/Occult Bestiary
109. ↑ Template:Cite book/Ashes at Dawn
110. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 220*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
111. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 217*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
112. ↑ Paizo Staff (2010). *Bestiary 2*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 221*. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5.
113. ↑ Template:Cite book/Lords of Chaos
114. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 229*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
115. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Brinewall Legacy
116. ↑ Paizo Staff (2013). *Bestiary 4*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 226*. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4.
117. ↑ Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 213*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
118. ↑ Template:Cite book/Monster Codex
119. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Worldwound Incursion
120. ↑ Template:Cite book/Shards of Sin
121. ↑ Template:Cite book/Fey Revisited
122. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 256*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
123. ↑ Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 158*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
124. ↑ Template:Cite book/The Hellfire Compact
125. ↑ Template:Cite book/Shards of Sin
126. ↑ Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 283*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
127. ↑ Dennis Baker *et al* (2015). *Bestiary 5*. (Paizo Inc), *p. 284*. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5.
128. ↑ Paizo Staff (2011). *Bestiary 3*. (Paizo Publishing, LLC), *p. 288*. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1.
129. ↑ Template:Cite book/Haunted Heroes Handbook
130. ↑ Template:Cite book/Adventurer's Armory 2
131. ↑ Template:Cite book/Monster Summoner's Handbook