Gnome Illusionist Familiar - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Gnome Illusionist Familiar

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
lunaticslament
Aug 06, 2009 0:51:21 I'm trying to figure out a flavorful improved familiar for my Gnome Illusionist SCM build. So far I have Gnome Illuisionist 5 (focused specialist) / Shadocrafter * / SMC 5 / Filler Flavor Class *. There is the possibility of flaws. Banned schools are Enchantment, Necromancy and Evocation.

Feats: Spell focus (Illusion), Heighten Spell, Earth Sense, Earth Spell, Greater Spell Focus (Illusion)

As my DM ruled that I could only use one of the UA variants, I've chosen the Illusion Mastery variant as it frees me from having to take Spell Mastery to get my Signature Spell feat. However, he has taken pity on me and agreed to give allow me an improved familiar if I'm creative enough with the character.

Now I wanted to find a good flavorful shadowy or Illusion related improved familiar for this guy, I've been digging through the Monster Manuals but haven't seen much. Any suggestions?
#2
emy
Aug 06, 2009 3:24:38 The Beguiler from Shining South is somewhat illusion related, in that it has permanent true seeing. I suppose it's a tenuous connection, but it's the best I can think of.

Dictum Mortuum's Familiar Handbook has a list of Improved Familiars. Crystal Keep's 3.5 Creatures index has a list of things that are eligible to be familiars as well. This is mostly useful for looking up Dragon material (which is not present in Dictum Mortuum's handbook).
#3
hungryhungryhippo987
Aug 06, 2009 5:25:20 I once had a living phantasmal killer spell as a familiar. It's pretty interesting if you can get your DM to go for it. The character was an illusionist as well, his schtick was illusions related to Alice's Adventures Underground. His familiars name was Cheshire who ran around as a purple and pink striped, grinning cat.
Whenever he attacked people, he would appear to transform into a massive sabertooth tiger-like monster. It was a combination of the living spell template and a fair amount of BS that me and the DM put together. but me and him both were really satisfied with the results.

I realize I lack originality, but the character was really fun regardless.
#4
lunaticslament
Aug 06, 2009 16:01:59 {I realize I lack originality, but the character was really fun regardless.}

Nah, I think your idea was rather original and fun. Not many people suggest a living spell as a familiar and can get their DM to sign off on it. I'll have to look at the template and see if there is anything I can do with it.

*Smacks head* I had forgotten about the Beguiler rat.

All of this started when I had the bright idea to somehow trap an ashrat as a pet and send it in to ignite everything in a drug lab. I love the idea but the character build I'm going for couldn't really safely handle a creature which sets fire to anything flamable it touches. Might do it for the next Elemental Adept (old DM's homebrew class) that I do.
#5
Chaos_Redefined
Aug 06, 2009 20:32:31 If you don't want to add more options to your list, you can pick up an air elemental/air mephit and roleplay it being an illusion, with just wisps of reality entering it.
#6
lunaticslament
Aug 07, 2009 10:22:31 I'm all for adding more options to my list. I just wish there was a Improved Familiar level creature from the Shadow Realm that didn't hate all light and life.
#7
Chaos_Redefined
Aug 09, 2009 19:25:43 If that is the case, I suggest asking your DM if you can tack on Dark or Shadow to the default familiars. You would want to go with Raven, as it is still the only one that speaks and can activate wands.
#8
phaedrusxy
Aug 10, 2009 10:19:29
If that is the case, I suggest asking your DM if you can tack on Dark or Shadow to the default familiars. You would want to go with Raven, as it is still the only one that speaks and can activate wands.

In that case, I'd just use a standard Raven. They are good enough to be worth the Improved Familiar feat, anyway. And they're black, and can talk. Sounds like a Shadow creature to me. :P Buy it a Collar of Umbral Metamorphosis if you really want it to be a "Shadow" creature.
#9
deoxhydroxinate
Aug 10, 2009 17:47:54 A Beguiler from Shining South would be pretty nifty, especially with you being a master Illusionist. They get a permanent True Seeing which could be used to your advantage in many situations.

Edit - Just read that you had already thought of that. Personally I like the flavor they can add to an illusionist.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lunaticslament Aug 06, 2009 0:51:21	I'm trying to figure out a flavorful improved familiar for my Gnome Illusionist SCM build. So far I have Gnome Illuisionist 5 (focused specialist) / Shadocrafter * / SMC 5 / Filler Flavor Class *. There is the possibility of flaws. Banned schools are Enchantment, Necromancy and Evocation. Feats: Spell focus (Illusion), Heighten Spell, Earth Sense, Earth Spell, Greater Spell Focus (Illusion) As my DM ruled that I could only use one of the UA variants, I've chosen the Illusion Mastery variant as it frees me from having to take Spell Mastery to get my Signature Spell feat. However, he has taken pity on me and agreed to give allow me an improved familiar if I'm creative enough with the character. Now I wanted to find a good flavorful shadowy or Illusion related improved familiar for this guy, I've been digging through the Monster Manuals but haven't seen much. Any suggestions?
#2 emy Aug 06, 2009 3:24:38	The Beguiler from Shining South is somewhat illusion related, in that it has permanent true seeing. I suppose it's a tenuous connection, but it's the best I can think of. Dictum Mortuum's Familiar Handbook has a list of Improved Familiars. Crystal Keep's 3.5 Creatures index has a list of things that are eligible to be familiars as well. This is mostly useful for looking up Dragon material (which is not present in Dictum Mortuum's handbook).
#3 hungryhungryhippo987 Aug 06, 2009 5:25:20	I once had a living phantasmal killer spell as a familiar. It's pretty interesting if you can get your DM to go for it. The character was an illusionist as well, his schtick was illusions related to Alice's Adventures Underground. His familiars name was Cheshire who ran around as a purple and pink striped, grinning cat. Whenever he attacked people, he would appear to transform into a massive sabertooth tiger-like monster. It was a combination of the living spell template and a fair amount of BS that me and the DM put together. but me and him both were really satisfied with the results. I realize I lack originality, but the character was really fun regardless.
#4 lunaticslament Aug 06, 2009 16:01:59	{I realize I lack originality, but the character was really fun regardless.} Nah, I think your idea was rather original and fun. Not many people suggest a living spell as a familiar and can get their DM to sign off on it. I'll have to look at the template and see if there is anything I can do with it. Smacks head I had forgotten about the Beguiler rat. All of this started when I had the bright idea to somehow trap an ashrat as a pet and send it in to ignite everything in a drug lab. I love the idea but the character build I'm going for couldn't really safely handle a creature which sets fire to anything flamable it touches. Might do it for the next Elemental Adept (old DM's homebrew class) that I do.
#5 Chaos_Redefined Aug 06, 2009 20:32:31	If you don't want to add more options to your list, you can pick up an air elemental/air mephit and roleplay it being an illusion, with just wisps of reality entering it.
#6 lunaticslament Aug 07, 2009 10:22:31	I'm all for adding more options to my list. I just wish there was a Improved Familiar level creature from the Shadow Realm that didn't hate all light and life.
#7 Chaos_Redefined Aug 09, 2009 19:25:43	If that is the case, I suggest asking your DM if you can tack on Dark or Shadow to the default familiars. You would want to go with Raven, as it is still the only one that speaks and can activate wands.
#8 phaedrusxy Aug 10, 2009 10:19:29	If that is the case, I suggest asking your DM if you can tack on Dark or Shadow to the default familiars. You would want to go with Raven, as it is still the only one that speaks and can activate wands. In that case, I'd just use a standard Raven. They are good enough to be worth the Improved Familiar feat, anyway. And they're black, and can talk. Sounds like a Shadow creature to me. :P Buy it a Collar of Umbral Metamorphosis if you really want it to be a "Shadow" creature.
#9 deoxhydroxinate Aug 10, 2009 17:47:54	A Beguiler from Shining South would be pretty nifty, especially with you being a master Illusionist. They get a permanent True Seeing which could be used to your advantage in many situations. Edit - Just read that you had already thought of that. Personally I like the flavor they can add to an illusionist.