GNARTIAN FAMILIARS

Always like the idea of PC Familiars, but disliked the original PH handing of the idea. I think that any magic should come with some risk, but the familiars of 1st ed were such easy targets that the spell made no sense to me. Sure, you might (5%) get a Quasit or Pseudodragon, but you'll prob get a 2HP Toad that will die in the next Random Encounter. This version of the spell makes the arrangement a much better deal for the Familiar, which means it might actually be worth it!

THE BINDING of the FAMILIAR

A Spell of Ritual Magic which can be cast by a Wizard of any level, but only during certain alignments/phases of the moons, occurring once every 30 +1d30 days. Type of creature summoned determ randomly. All are no larger than a small house cat, of exceptional, though still animal INT, have 4 HP and AC 7. They have no offensive attacks to speak of, although they can defend themselves as a 1/2HD Monster, doing 1 or 2 HP damage. No extraordinary or magical abilities (venom, if any, is effective against very small animals only). Creature Summoned is magically bound to caster, and the two share an empathic psychic link. When the Familiar is w/in 12", the Wizard may simply concentrate in order to "see" through its eyes, "hear" through its ears, etc. Also, each adds the others' HP to their own total; so both the Familiar and the Wizard will have the Wizard's HP +4. The pair share the same AC, either the Wizard's or the Familiar's, whichever is better. Familiars are rendered immune to Mental Influence/Control, and are extraordinarily lucky, automatically making all Saving Throws. If a Familiar is killed, the Wizard loses the bonus 4 HP, and also permanently loses an additional 1d4 HP, and may not cast the Spell again for one full year.

CREATURE SUMMONED (d20)
1. Archaeopteryx

2. Big-eared Bat

3. Horned Viper

4. Beaded Lizard

5. Your Standard Rat

6. Large Centipede

7. Iridescent Mantis

8. Spider Monkey

9. Small Ocelot

10. Aye-Aye

11. Bristly Tarantula

12. Colorful Constrictor

13. Horned Chameleon

14. Pygmy Hedgehog

15. Naked, Exhibitionist Mole Rat

16-20. No creature responds

10GPgem: Be sure to assign/determine an NPC trait or two to provide a little personality.