#elemental familiar

(art by Frederico M. Cugliari on Artstation)

 Two weeks ago we saw animal companions with the touch of the elements, and now we are looking at a similar concept with familiars!

While animal companions are typically associated with nature-themed classes, giving a natural association with the elements, the inherently more magical nature of familiars makes this archetype feel even more magical than that.

Like the companion archetype, this one does not change the creature enough to make them more than animal, but they do boast various elemental powers based on the element they are associated with.

Similarly, only a rare few probably look like they are actually made of the element in question, but they might sport vibrant and unnatural fur, scale, or feather colorations, eyes that gleam with their favored elements, perhaps flaking off some of the element in question in times of stress or excitement, and so on.

Additionally, since the “spirit animal” familiars of shamans can also have elemental traits depending on the primary spirit of their master, this could be a good way to make a familiar extra special by having an even greater connection to their element, or even blending two different elements, such as fire and earth for a magma-themed familiar, and so on.

 Naturally, these familiars gain different abilities based on what element they are connected to. Air grants them flight (or faster flight if they were already flying creatures), as well as making them naturally resistant to powerful winds; Earth makes them even more resistant to harm than familiars already are thanks to the protection of their bond; fire grants them the ability to spit globs of fiery fluid at foes; and finally water grants improved swimming, amphibious breath, and a certain fluidity that makes it hard to force them to move.

What’s more, these familiars also learn to speak one of the four elemental tongues, which makes them useful as interpreters and envoys in the right scenario

A simple archetype, but one that can make for a flavorful and useful familiar without sacrificing any of the typical familiar utility. Just remember that you lose improved evasion for this, making your familiar a wee bit more vulnerable

 Much like the companion archetype, I imagine that the influence of the element within them affects the personality of the familiar. However, familiars are more intelligent than animal companions, so the exact quirks have more opportunity to manifest themselves, especially since they get a language for free without being an improved familiar or one of those special bird options that get one, though naturally they may be difficult for most mortals to understand.

  In certain reefs of the Manshani Sea, elemental energy infuses the sea life, and water-blessed sea turtles are considered prized familiars if you can find one. However, one best be on the lookout for their megafauna kin, the archerons, who might mistake visitors for prey.

 In their natural form, flying tree frogs merely glide using oversized webbed feet, but in the soaring heights of the Sky Pillar Jungle, some are infused with elemental air to truly soar where they please in search of small insects. Such frogs are considered sacred by the local grippli.