Arcane Heirophant - Familiar Companion Process [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Heirophant - Familiar Companion Process [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BlakesTiger
03-07-07, 03:09 PM Has anyone given any thought to the process of generating the Arcane Heirophant's Familiar Companion?

The familiar is described as an extension of the character's soul.

However, in the Familiar Companion process, it is the familiar who is dismissed and the animal companion, something more along the lines of a very beloved pet, is advanced in intelligence and ability.

I'm not interested in the mechanical aspect of the class feature.

The thoughts that I'm interested in are people's ideas about how this process affects the three characters involved: the familiar (a separate entity yet a vessel that holds an extension of the PC's soul), the animal companion (an animal who is essentially awakened), and the character (who is sending away an intimate part of himself and transferring it to another).

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.
Daxen
03-08-07, 03:33 PM I think it really depends on which levels you took first. I think that a Druid that was learning the Arcane arts would not be generally inclined to activate his Find Familiar ability. His animal companion is a fellow creature of nature who has become aware that the PC seeks to defend nature, (or in the case of an neutral evil druid to share in it's power.) After studying the Arcane schools of magic he discovers that magic is the energy that binds nature together and that it is present in everything from rocks to trees to you and me. As a creature of nature learned in the manipulate magic in both forms divine and arcane. He comes to the conclussion that part of him is in everything, as part of everything is in him. The animal companion holds much in common with him and thus a small part of his soul resides there.

That got a little metaphysical and wierd, but to mee a Druid taking up the Arcane Arts would go that way.

The Man who starts his journey as a mage that then learns to revere nature has a much more pragmatic approach. A wolf is a safer place to keep part of your soul than a toad. Familiars are imbued with the magic of a Wizard or Sorcerer, animal companions are attracted to the Natural Attunement of the Druid. Most Familiars are what was handy and acceptable. Animal Companions always seemed to seek the Druid out.

I hope I haven't been too obtuse or my rambles too long and incoherent, but that is how I would explain the development of the Companion Familiar.
TheAnthroDM
03-09-07, 12:43 AM The animal companion is not essecially an "awakened" animal. It is just as intellegent as any other animal of it's kinda, just tougher and able to learn a few more tricks because of it's bond.

I played an Arcane Heriophant once, the DM let me work it out so that when I optained my first level after the party took a rest at the in, my two Hawks literally fused magically and poof Familair Companion.
BlakesTiger
03-09-07, 08:34 AM The Companion Familiar is raised from Animal Intelligence (1 or 2) to human intelligence (at least 6, usually higher) as the ability grants the companion animal the Intelligence of a familiar. I think that's an interesting aspect of the ability to consider. Currently, I've only pondered how the animal's name (reference to himself) might change. I originally designed the name as how my character interpretted his companions self-reference when using the Speak with Animals spell. However, once he gains enough intelligence to communicate with my character in the "Familiar-language," he might say, "No, seriously, you misunderstood. My name is <name>. You should call me that from now on." Alternatively, the companion might find the old name a nostalgic link to their first meeting, allowing it the same way we let people we love call us by nicknames that we don't really like.

I've considered the merging bodies tactic. I think it works really well if they're both the same species (or at least really close). However, in my case, it's a hawk and a wolf, so I think that might be a bit too much creative license, but then... maybe not.

In my case, my character started his career as a sorcerer, then took up the mantle of druid. The pragmatic approach is a really good idea. He has a deep connection with his hawk familiar, but he's knows that he's going into more and more dangerous situations where protecting his familiar will be a weakness and will eventually be descending into deep caverns under the mountains, so he regretably lets the animal go free and redirects the arcane bond to the much more sturdy wolf companion.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BlakesTiger 03-07-07, 03:09 PM	Has anyone given any thought to the process of generating the Arcane Heirophant's Familiar Companion? The familiar is described as an extension of the character's soul. However, in the Familiar Companion process, it is the familiar who is dismissed and the animal companion, something more along the lines of a very beloved pet, is advanced in intelligence and ability. I'm not interested in the mechanical aspect of the class feature. The thoughts that I'm interested in are people's ideas about how this process affects the three characters involved: the familiar (a separate entity yet a vessel that holds an extension of the PC's soul), the animal companion (an animal who is essentially awakened), and the character (who is sending away an intimate part of himself and transferring it to another). Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.
Daxen 03-08-07, 03:33 PM	I think it really depends on which levels you took first. I think that a Druid that was learning the Arcane arts would not be generally inclined to activate his Find Familiar ability. His animal companion is a fellow creature of nature who has become aware that the PC seeks to defend nature, (or in the case of an neutral evil druid to share in it's power.) After studying the Arcane schools of magic he discovers that magic is the energy that binds nature together and that it is present in everything from rocks to trees to you and me. As a creature of nature learned in the manipulate magic in both forms divine and arcane. He comes to the conclussion that part of him is in everything, as part of everything is in him. The animal companion holds much in common with him and thus a small part of his soul resides there. That got a little metaphysical and wierd, but to mee a Druid taking up the Arcane Arts would go that way. The Man who starts his journey as a mage that then learns to revere nature has a much more pragmatic approach. A wolf is a safer place to keep part of your soul than a toad. Familiars are imbued with the magic of a Wizard or Sorcerer, animal companions are attracted to the Natural Attunement of the Druid. Most Familiars are what was handy and acceptable. Animal Companions always seemed to seek the Druid out. I hope I haven't been too obtuse or my rambles too long and incoherent, but that is how I would explain the development of the Companion Familiar.
TheAnthroDM 03-09-07, 12:43 AM	The animal companion is not essecially an "awakened" animal. It is just as intellegent as any other animal of it's kinda, just tougher and able to learn a few more tricks because of it's bond. I played an Arcane Heriophant once, the DM let me work it out so that when I optained my first level after the party took a rest at the in, my two Hawks literally fused magically and poof Familair Companion.
BlakesTiger 03-09-07, 08:34 AM	The Companion Familiar is raised from Animal Intelligence (1 or 2) to human intelligence (at least 6, usually higher) as the ability grants the companion animal the Intelligence of a familiar. I think that's an interesting aspect of the ability to consider. Currently, I've only pondered how the animal's name (reference to himself) might change. I originally designed the name as how my character interpretted his companions self-reference when using the Speak with Animals spell. However, once he gains enough intelligence to communicate with my character in the "Familiar-language," he might say, "No, seriously, you misunderstood. My name is <name>. You should call me that from now on." Alternatively, the companion might find the old name a nostalgic link to their first meeting, allowing it the same way we let people we love call us by nicknames that we don't really like. I've considered the merging bodies tactic. I think it works really well if they're both the same species (or at least really close). However, in my case, it's a hawk and a wolf, so I think that might be a bit too much creative license, but then... maybe not. In my case, my character started his career as a sorcerer, then took up the mantle of druid. The pragmatic approach is a really good idea. He has a deep connection with his hawk familiar, but he's knows that he's going into more and more dangerous situations where protecting his familiar will be a weakness and will eventually be descending into deep caverns under the mountains, so he regretably lets the animal go free and redirects the arcane bond to the much more sturdy wolf companion.