Familiars of Xalthea

Stats:  +2 STR +2 DEX -3 INT 

Eagle

Eagles are among the largest and most powerful birds of prey. Though different species range across many habitats, the best known are the golden eagles who make their nests in remote mountaintops. Ruthless and fearless, they prey upon venomous snakes, large fish, and young sheep and deer— sometimes even adults that are too heavy for them to lift.

​

Haughty. Perhaps the proudest of animals, eagles only allow themselves to be tamed by those they consider worthy. Especially in the wild, they will take offense unless approached with respect and deference. Similarly to lions, eagles consider themselves the equivalent of kings within their own domain. Eagles use their strength to command other birds, claiming other predators’ kills within their territory for themselves

Stats: +2 DEX -2 INT +2 WIS 

Cat

These small predators have found great enjoyment from domesticating humanoids, acting as gods while they are fed whatever they desire. People of all stations keep them as companions, from proud lords to lonely peasants. The quiet and the bookish tend to especially enjoy their company, as observing their behavior can be enlightening to the attentive. Some suppose that cats are not intelligent, as they seem incapable of communicating or following any given commands. In actuality, they see all other creatures as simple animals, and find no reason to form meaningful relationships they can’t benefit from.

​

Risky Agility. Cats have a reputation for getting into trouble with their curiosity, and out of it again with their quick reflexes, guile, and sheer luck. Cats are famous for their ability to land feet-first. A cat that falls more than a few feet will right itself in the air, landing on its feet and rarely suffering any harm, even after falling from great heights. Legend speaks of a wizard who tied two cats together, back-to-back, causing them to rapidly spin in the air to generate power for their rituals.

Stats: +2 DEX -1 INT +2 WIS 

Dog

Dogs have been companions to humanoids since before the beginnings of civilization. They are known for their intelligence compared to other domestic animals, and enthusiastic loyalty to the creatures they consider family. Many types of dog are playful, and almost all can be taught at least simple tricks. With a little training to keep them from getting lost, they make excellent traveling companions.

​

Diverse Breeds. Because they have been domesticated for so long, humanoids have been able to breed them for many different traits. Different breeds of dog vary widely in size, color, build, and temperament. Every culture and region has at least one preferred breed. Breeds common among nonhumans include the stocky draft hounds of the Mountain Dwarves, Halfling riding dogs, the fleet-footed Elven retriever, massive half-worg Orcish war hounds, and the miniature terriers favored by Rock Gnomes. Despite their differences, all these types of dog readily interbreed, creating an even wider variety. Most dogs belonging to common folk are of of mixed breeds.

Stats: +1 STR +3 DEX -3 INT 

Hawk

Larger than falcons, hawks build broad nests in tall trees, hunting in forests and over adjacent plains. Hawks are famous for their agility in flight, even among other raptors. They use their long tails to make precise maneuvers that few other birds can match. When they spot prey, they can dive with incredible speed. Hawks are especially merciless predators, snatching up smaller birds and any other small creatures who let their guards down. Once a hawk has chosen a victim, that creature almost never escapes.

​

Keen Hearing. “The eyes of a hawk” is a well-worn phrase, but hawks’ ears are equally sharp. They can find their prey by sound even if it is well camouflaged in dense foliage. Hawks have versatile voices to match their well-developed sense of hearing. 

Stats: +1 STR +2 DEX  +1 INT +1 CHA

Grimalkyne

These small, feline humanoids live in secretive clans, often hiding on the edges of other civilizations. The grimalkinns that outsiders are most likely to encounter are either warriors watching the perimeter of a settlement, or outcasts making their own way in the world.

​

Beast Talk. The Grimalkinn language that they use among themselves consists not only of sounds, but of posture, scent, and significant silences. They have created a pidgin form of this language that allows them to communicate with most animals on their own terms, holding complex conversations that would normally require magic.

Honor-Bound. Grimalkinn society places great importance in personal honor. A grimalkinn builds their honor by serving the clan well, and by honoring promises. Grimalkinn who go back on their word or abandon their duty find themselves cast out from their clan and forced to seek a living among the other races. 

​

Stats: +3 DEX -1 INT +1 WIS -1 CHA

Renine

A renine is the spirit of an exceptionally loyal creature that was separated from its master and died before finding them again. The unfinished search binds the renine to the realm of the living, forever bound to find its master. A renine appears as a ghostly image of the creature it was in life, albeit translucent.  If obstructed in its search, the renine can fight with the ferocity and determination of a living creature. More often, though, renines are incorporeal and elusive, perceptible only by the sound of a distant whimper.

​

Reunion. As a spirit, a renine continues its search for as long as needed until it and its master are reunited. In other regards it behaves as it did in life. If a renine does not know where to look for its missing master, it may follow someone who reminds it of its master. Such pairings are temporary, however, and the renine never gives up its search. When a renine finds its master alive, it tries to rejoin them and accompany them once again. A welcomed renine will never spend even a moment away from its old friend, persisting until its master’s final breath. If the master is dead when the renine finds them, the renine instead becomes an eternal guardian of their resting place

​

Rejection. The most horrible fate for a renine is to find its old master and be turned away. When this happens, the renines spirit completely changes to one of fear, hatred, and retribution. First, it will attack its old master and any of their allies or companions. Thereafter it becomes a scourge to the old master’s kind, wandering the night and assaulting the living with eternal cries, forever mourning its rejection

Stats:  +2 DEX -1 INT  +2 CHA 

Parrot

Colorful and clever, parrots nest in hollows, cliffs, and canopy shelters across tropical and subtropical regions. Agile in dense foliage, they can hover briefly while navigating tight spaces. Their strong beaks allow them to crack seeds, strip bark, and defend themselves with surprising force. Known for their intelligence and memory, often forming long-term bonds with companions and mimicking speech, song, or ambient sounds with eerie precision.

Parrots rarely hunt, but they are fiercely territorial  
 

Mimicry, Possessing extraordinary vocal control, allowing them to replicate complex sounds, including spoken language, animal calls, and magical incantations. This mimicry is not mere repetition — many parrots understand tone, intent, and rhythm, making them prized familiars among illusionists, spies, and lorekeepers.

​

Stats: +1 STR +2 DEX +1 INT -2 CHA

Basam

Basan are extremely rare and enigmatic dragons that strongly resemble roosters. Their bodies are covered in warm feathers, and their bellies are protected by thick, scaly plating. Basan are easily recognized by their bright red comb and brilliantly colored plumage which appears like tongues of flame. Their most notable feature is their breath, which flows visibly from their mouth like a dragon’s fire. However, the flame gives off no heat, nor does it ignite combustible material.

​

Basan are entirely nocturnal, and little is known about their behavior. They make their homes in remote bamboo groves, far from human activity. Charred wood and embers make up their diet, and they have been known to wander into remote villages at night to feast on the remains of bonfires or charcoal. When pleased or startled, basan beat their wings creating the distinctive rustling “basabasa” sound from which they get their name. People who have witnessed this report that the birds vanish into thin air when they realize they have been seen.

​

​

Stats: +3 DEX -1 INT +1 WIS -1 CHA

Silhouette

These undead beings emerge from the shadows of other creatures the moment they cross over into the next life. Unlike most undead, a silhouette is not intrinsically hostile to the living. Instead, it is a mostly harmless echo of the original creature.

​

Lifeless Imitation. A silhouette resembles a smaller, pitch-black version of the creature from which it spawned. They generally go through the same sort of actions that their “original” would, apparently unaware that they have no soul fueling them. Their shapes and mannerisms resemble their originals so closely that it’s easy to identify who a given silhouette came from.

​

Life Draining. Silhouettes feed by unconsciously draining the life of living creatures they come close to. They are light feeders, and do not seriously weaken most healthy creatures. In self-defense, they use this ability more aggressively to weaken an attacker.

​

Sunlight Aversion. Silhouettes fear direct sunlight. Their shadowy presence cannot persist under the divine daylight, and they slowly become gray silhouettes over the course of an hour before fading to dust. Their allies must provide solutions to this problem, such as umbrellas or carrying boxe

​