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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Oct 10, 2021 11:14:11 GMT -5
I don't own a copy of OD&D so I have no idea. Are there rules for Magic-Users to have Familiars? I don't care if they are official or not. I always wanted to do a familiar system based off alignment. A lawful magic-user might have a bird, a neutral a cat, and a chaotic would have a rat, snake, etc. Any ideas? Any sources - homebrew or otherwise?
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Oct 10, 2021 13:14:32 GMT -5
I don't own a copy of OD&D so I have no idea. Are there rules for Magic-Users to have Familiars? I don't care if they are official or not. I always wanted to do a familiar system based off alignment. A lawful magic-user might have a bird, a neutral a cat, and a chaotic would have a rat, snake, etc. Any ideas? Any sources - homebrew or otherwise? Not in OD&D, and I have never used them. Try Google and you should get some hits. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Oct 16, 2021 13:31:21 GMT -5
I don't own a copy of OD&D so I have no idea. Are there rules for Magic-Users to have Familiars? I don't care if they are official or not. I always wanted to do a familiar system based off alignment. A lawful magic-user might have a bird, a neutral a cat, and a chaotic would have a rat, snake, etc. Any ideas? Any sources - homebrew or otherwise? Not in OD&D, and I have never used them. Try Google and you should get some hits. I got a few results but I think for me, personally, I would want to use them with your "kits with a twist" idea; specifically, a Witch. Once again, back to the drawing board.... |
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Post by hengest on Dec 6, 2021 10:45:20 GMT -5
I wouldn't mind seeing familiars run as NPCs, although in-game loyal to the PC.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Dec 6, 2021 22:01:50 GMT -5
I wouldn't mind seeing familiars run as NPCs, although in-game loyal to the PC. I am not fond of familiars and especially not calling them that. I am not opposed to players have enhanced animal sidekicks. |
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Post by hengest on Jan 12, 2022 11:10:21 GMT -5
I would like to see an NPC who is the sidekick of an "enhanced animal" (a dragon, a superintelligent moose who controls the valley, something like that).
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Post by hengest on Jan 16, 2022 10:25:38 GMT -5
I would like to see an NPC who is the sidekick of an "enhanced animal" (a dragon, a superintelligent moose who controls the valley, something like that). And now that I think of it again, I like the idea even more, although I am not sure of the best way to embody it. I guess it would all depend on the game, but as to the starting conditions imagined by the ref, I like this: the dragon (or some such creature) has reasons of its own for wanting to manipulate human culture and chooses a human with whom it can communicate easily (for some reason). Through that semi-willing human, the dragon seeks to make the local cultures behave in conformation to its will. |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 16, 2022 21:02:32 GMT -5
I would like to see an NPC who is the sidekick of an "enhanced animal" (a dragon, a superintelligent moose who controls the valley, something like that). And now that I think of it again, I like the idea even more, although I am not sure of the best way to embody it. I guess it would all depend on the game, but as to the starting conditions imagined by the ref, I like this: the dragon (or some such creature) has reasons of its own for wanting to manipulate human culture and chooses a human with whom it can communicate easily (for some reason). Through that semi-willing human, the dragon seeks to make the local cultures behave in conformation to its will. I like this idea and that sounds like fun to me. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jan 19, 2022 10:56:22 GMT -5
I wouldn't mind seeing familiars run as NPCs, although in-game loyal to the PC. I am not fond of familiars and especially not calling them that. I am not opposed to players have enhanced animal sidekicks. I think that would make an interesting topic to bounce around ideas for expanding. I will gather some thoughts and post a new thread. BTW, for anyone I might have put off with the term "familiar". I used it as a fan of horror/adventure movies as opposed to an occult reference. No foul intended on my part. |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 19, 2022 15:51:47 GMT -5
I am not fond of familiars and especially not calling them that. I am not opposed to players have enhanced animal sidekicks. I think that would make an interesting topic to bounce around ideas for expanding. I will gather some thoughts and post a new thread. BTW, for anyone I might have put off with the term "familiar". I used it as a fan of horror/adventure movies as opposed to an occult reference. No foul intended on my part. No foul was assumed or taken. For what its worth, my personal dislike for that term predates my knowledge of the occult reference. I never liked it and I have no idea why. |
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Post by hengest on Jan 19, 2022 16:19:40 GMT -5
I think that would make an interesting topic to bounce around ideas for expanding. I will gather some thoughts and post a new thread. BTW, for anyone I might have put off with the term "familiar". I used it as a fan of horror/adventure movies as opposed to an occult reference. No foul intended on my part. No foul was assumed or taken. For what its worth, my personal dislike for that term predates my knowledge of the occult reference. I never liked it and I have no idea why. I don't know why you were uncomfortable with it, but it made me uncomfortable since I was a kid, I think because I knew the adjective "familiar" before I knew the word in this sense. I assume it's short for "familiar spirit," as I have read, but it just sounds odd to me. The notion of an (enhanced or non-enhanced) animal sidekick does not bother me at all and I think it's a potentially interesting quasi-NPC. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jan 19, 2022 19:26:13 GMT -5
Let's see if we can come up with some ways to explore this idea. I've been giving it some thought, and I will present a few ideas of my own in this post. Maybe it will spark some collaboration and we can come up with some suggestions that will help each other implement these ideas in their campaigns?
1. Name
The new title for this thread lists a few but are there others that could be considered?
Enhanced Animal Companion
Mage Helper
Arcane Assistant
Attendant
others?
2. Size
My initial impression was that these animals would all be small in size similar to a mouse, small bird, or a cat. Does it have to stop there? Why not a medium-sized dog? Obviously, I don't think you want to go too big. I think something like a bear would be too big. Am I wrong? As a conversation starter, some possibilities might include the following:
mouse/rat
crow/raven
eagle/hawk
cat
medium-size dog
raccoon
ferret
lizard
owl
others?
3. Capabilities
One of these helpers should come with some abilities - nothing overly powerful - that are minor; useful but nothing "crazy". Some things to think about:
All of these animals should be able to communicate with their caster. What form should that communication take? Should it verbal speech? Telepathic in nature? What do you think?
We could start with the base statistics for a typical animal of that type and give a few options to customize them. These options could include stuff like a +1 to attack damage, a sneak/hide in shadows ability, improved morale because they have a special bond with the caster, etc. Do these abilities improve as the caster levels?
Should the assistant be available at first level or come later?
There are some ideas to get the ball rolling. I would be interested in hearing about adding more information. I hope this is a good starting point, but this is rough and just the initial ideas. I'm just getting them out of my head before I lose them. What do you think?
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 20, 2022 15:07:49 GMT -5
Let's see if we can come up with some ways to explore this idea. I've been giving it some thought, and I will present a few ideas of my own in this post. Maybe it will spark some collaboration and we can come up with some suggestions that will help each other implement these ideas in their campaigns? 1. NameThe new title for this thread lists a few but are there others that could be considered? Enhanced Animal Companion Mage Helper Arcane Assistant Attendant others? 2. SizeMy initial impression was that these animals would all be small in size similar to a mouse, small bird, or a cat. Does it have to stop there? Why not a medium-sized dog? Obviously, I don't think you want to go too big. I think something like a bear would be too big. Am I wrong? As a conversation starter, some possibilities might include the following: mouse/rat crow/raven eagle/hawk cat medium-size dog raccoon ferret lizard owl others? 3. CapabilitiesOne of these helpers should come with some abilities - nothing overly powerful - that are minor; useful but nothing "crazy". Some things to think about: All of these animals should be able to communicate with their caster. What form should that communication take? Should it verbal speech? Telepathic in nature? What do you think? We could start with the base statistics for a typical animal of that type and give a few options to customize them. These options could include stuff like a +1 to attack damage, a sneak/hide in shadows ability, improved morale because they have a special bond with the caster, etc. Do these abilities improve as the caster levels? Should the assistant be available at first level or come later?
There are some ideas to get the ball rolling. I would be interested in hearing about adding more information. I hope this is a good starting point, but this is rough and just the initial ideas. I'm just getting them out of my head before I lose them. What do you think?Do they even have to have a name? I am OK with ordinary people, those not in the know, just thinking they are pets. Also I think of Hiero Desteen and his mutant moose named Klootz which he rides and with which he is able to communicate telepathically as fitting into this. As does his eventual ally, Gorm, a telepathic black bear. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jan 20, 2022 15:25:17 GMT -5
Let's see if we can come up with some ways to explore this idea. I've been giving it some thought, and I will present a few ideas of my own in this post. Maybe it will spark some collaboration and we can come up with some suggestions that will help each other implement these ideas in their campaigns? 1. NameThe new title for this thread lists a few but are there others that could be considered? Enhanced Animal Companion Mage Helper Arcane Assistant Attendant others? 2. SizeMy initial impression was that these animals would all be small in size similar to a mouse, small bird, or a cat. Does it have to stop there? Why not a medium-sized dog? Obviously, I don't think you want to go too big. I think something like a bear would be too big. Am I wrong? As a conversation starter, some possibilities might include the following: mouse/rat crow/raven eagle/hawk cat medium-size dog raccoon ferret lizard owl others? 3. CapabilitiesOne of these helpers should come with some abilities - nothing overly powerful - that are minor; useful but nothing "crazy". Some things to think about: All of these animals should be able to communicate with their caster. What form should that communication take? Should it verbal speech? Telepathic in nature? What do you think? We could start with the base statistics for a typical animal of that type and give a few options to customize them. These options could include stuff like a +1 to attack damage, a sneak/hide in shadows ability, improved morale because they have a special bond with the caster, etc. Do these abilities improve as the caster levels? Should the assistant be available at first level or come later?
There are some ideas to get the ball rolling. I would be interested in hearing about adding more information. I hope this is a good starting point, but this is rough and just the initial ideas. I'm just getting them out of my head before I lose them. What do you think?Do they even have to have a name? I am OK with ordinary people, those not in the know, just thinking they are pets. Also I think of Hiero Desteen and his mutant moose named Klootz which he rides and with which he is able to communicate telepathically as fitting into this. As does his eventual ally, Gorm, a telepathic black bear. That's exactly what I'm shooting for The Perilous Dreamer. That lazy dog napping is actually communicating to the wizard, etc. I was just looking for a term to use as a reference in posts. |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 20, 2022 15:31:06 GMT -5
Do they even have to have a name? I am OK with ordinary people, those not in the know, just thinking they are pets. Also I think of Hiero Desteen and his mutant moose named Klootz which he rides and with which he is able to communicate telepathically as fitting into this. As does his eventual ally, Gorm, a telepathic black bear. That's exactly what I'm shooting for The Perilous Dreamer . That lazy dog napping is actually communicating to the wizard, etc. I was just looking for a term to use as a reference in posts. How about just companion animals, sorta of like a seeing eye dog, a companion more than a pet. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jan 20, 2022 17:01:40 GMT -5
That's exactly what I'm shooting for The Perilous Dreamer . That lazy dog napping is actually communicating to the wizard, etc. I was just looking for a term to use as a reference in posts. How about just companion animals, sorta of like a seeing eye dog, a companion more than a pet. I like it! |
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