Concerning an Item Familiar [Archive] - Wizards Community

Concerning an Item Familiar [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FarrenCronwing
09-21-07, 06:16 PM I've got a True Neutral Barbarian that I'm forming up, having him as a spiritual tribes-person type character. I'd like him to have an amulet or a brooch of sorts (Non-magical) that he believes to contain the souls of his ancestors. This is where the problem comes in. I'd like it to eventually become an item familiar to him (Rule in Unearthed Arcana), however, it states that it must be a magical item. This is my dilemma. Does it have to be a MAGICAL item for balance purposes, or is this a completely trivial requirement? Being a first level character, having it magical is out of the question, and caring for his story, I'd like him to start with it. If it was magical, it'd stand out as unbalanced for a 1st level PC. If it isn't magical, it's going against the rules. I understand that I could ask my DM to make an acception, but I wouldn't like to unbalance the game at all (I already roll fairly well stats, I don't need anything else to make me stronger). Suggestions/feedback?
Ian0311
09-21-07, 07:36 PM Now, I don't have a copy of UA in front of me, but I don't believe that would unbalance a thing. Worst come to worst, the item would be nerfed by the fact it isn't magical.

If your DM approves it, I say it's a nice flavor item.
FarrenCronwing
09-21-07, 09:43 PM Alright, thanks. Just making sure it wasn't to limit the availability of the item or what. I'll get to asking him.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
09-21-07, 11:50 PM If your worry is more about starting with a magic item you could always skip item familiar rules and look at weapons of legacy. Legacy items only require masterwork item to start out with, grow in power with you, and can become intelligent. Of course if what you want is really a item familiar that may not be of particular help but the flavor seems right.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FarrenCronwing 09-21-07, 06:16 PM	I've got a True Neutral Barbarian that I'm forming up, having him as a spiritual tribes-person type character. I'd like him to have an amulet or a brooch of sorts (Non-magical) that he believes to contain the souls of his ancestors. This is where the problem comes in. I'd like it to eventually become an item familiar to him (Rule in Unearthed Arcana), however, it states that it must be a magical item. This is my dilemma. Does it have to be a MAGICAL item for balance purposes, or is this a completely trivial requirement? Being a first level character, having it magical is out of the question, and caring for his story, I'd like him to start with it. If it was magical, it'd stand out as unbalanced for a 1st level PC. If it isn't magical, it's going against the rules. I understand that I could ask my DM to make an acception, but I wouldn't like to unbalance the game at all (I already roll fairly well stats, I don't need anything else to make me stronger). Suggestions/feedback?
Ian0311 09-21-07, 07:36 PM	Now, I don't have a copy of UA in front of me, but I don't believe that would unbalance a thing. Worst come to worst, the item would be nerfed by the fact it isn't magical. If your DM approves it, I say it's a nice flavor item.
FarrenCronwing 09-21-07, 09:43 PM	Alright, thanks. Just making sure it wasn't to limit the availability of the item or what. I'll get to asking him.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 09-21-07, 11:50 PM	If your worry is more about starting with a magic item you could always skip item familiar rules and look at weapons of legacy. Legacy items only require masterwork item to start out with, grow in power with you, and can become intelligent. Of course if what you want is really a item familiar that may not be of particular help but the flavor seems right.