Your connection to magic began with a mystical bond or period of servitude to a magician of power. Your partnership continued as expected for years, until the bond was abruptly broken. In the aftermath, you found yourself with a new body. Despite your new appearance, your actions often betray your origins. The struggle between what you have become and what you once were rages within you.
- Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: Alchemist's kit
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A trinket worn or carried by your previous form, an explorer's pack, an alchemist's kit, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch containing 5 gp
Life-Changing Event
You were previously a different kind of creature. How you became what you are now, and what you know of your former existence, can vary greatly depending on the circumstances. Choose or randomly determine the life-changing event that brought about your transformation.
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Life-Changing Event |
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1
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My bond was severed and my form was irrevocably changed in a surge of wild, uncontrolled magic that claimed the life of the mage who called me their familiar.
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2
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The Pact of the Chain between my warlock master and myself was dissolved unexpectantly with their passing. Their patron, not wanting to lose two servants, granted me my current form as a reward for services rendered, and expects me to continue their work.
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3
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My service to, and partnership with, a mage of great power and cunning was rewarded with transmogrification into my current body.
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4
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I awoke in an unfamiliar body, with only dream-like memories of service to a being of great arcane ability.
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5
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I broke my bond with my master, replacing it with a pledge of service to a higher power. Part of the bargain was providing me with a new form to more easily hide from my past.
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6
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I stood by my master's side as aide, ally, and advisor until an unknown enemy severed our connection, robbed me of my true body, and captured my master.
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7
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My master, infirm with age and senility, unintentionally released me and altered my body in an attempt to rejuvenate themselves.
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8
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I betrayed my master in a time of crisis, and their last act was to transform me into my current form, robbing me of my true form forever.
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Feature: Familiar Insight
You are a transformed familiar, and although your physical form has changed, you will never fully forsake the insights you were born with. When interacting with the creatures of your original type, you often understand them on a fundamental level and they still often treat you like one of their own.
Suggested Characteristics
Transformed familiars often display personality traits and quirks that are holdovers from their prior lives. They might hold to affectations unconsciously, or without realizing their behavior is unusual. Either way, every transformed familiar carries their past with them to some degree.
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Personality Trait |
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1
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I am fiercely independent, and do not form strong emotional connections to others.
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2
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I seek the advice and guidance of others before acting.
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3
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I continue to behave as if I'm in my original body.
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4
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I am lost and social situations, and the behaviors expected of me confound me.
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5
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I punctuate my exclamations with a subtle growl for emphasis.
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6
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I keep my own counsel, sharing my thoughts reluctantly, if at all.
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7
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I am fascinated by seeing familiar places through the eyes of my new body.
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8
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I react instinctually to stress, problems, and challenges. My gut reaction is the right one.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Loyalty. Remaining steadfast when there are no witnesses to see it or accolades to celebrate it is the measure of a person. (Lawful)
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2
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Service. The path to enlightenment lies in serving a greater cause. (Lawful)
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3
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Freedom. Better to die free than live in chains again. (Chaotic)
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4
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Anonymity. No one knows me, and I can take advantage of that. (Evil)
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5
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Atonement. It is my lot in my new life to make up for the failings of my first one. (Good)
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6
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Nature. I always watch over the natural world I was once part of. (Neutral)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I am still loyal to the spellcaster I was once bonded to.
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2
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I keep an animal of my previous form to remind me where I came from.
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3
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I have a sibling still bound to a spellcaster and I will see them freed.
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4
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I still serve the family of my deceased master. I owe them that much.
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5
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My former master is still looking for me to punish me for my betrayal.
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6
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My companions are the closest thing I have to a family after my transformation, and I'll do anything for them.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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I prefer to sleep in the same fashion that I rested when I was a familiar.
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2
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Transmutation magic of all kinds frightens me to the core. I will not willingly use it or have it used on me.
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3
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In my heart of hearts, I long for the life I left behind.
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4
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I sometimes speak in the language of my old form, or forget the speech of humanoids.
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5
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I still prefer the foods of my prior form, and sometimes refuse the foods commonly consumed by my new one.
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6
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I frequently overindulge in the pleasures of humanoid life.
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