By Colin Chapman.
Introductory Note: This schtick does not provide extra spells. It provides a useful, and utterly loyal minion, and may only be purchased by those Sorcerors who already have the Summoning schtick. It costs the standard (16 + x) experience points.
You have in your service, a minor supernatural creature, with which you have a powerful bond of mastery and loyalty. This familiar/servitor is always on hand, utterly loyal, and doesn't need to be summoned or commanded. Neither can a rival sorceror do so to your familiar/servitor.
The familiar/servitor is essentially a small (typically 1' in length/height) demon/monster. It can look like anything you desire, but must look "unnatural." Examples include small dragons, bat-winged imps, twisted dwarves, butterfly-winged sprites, small flesh puppets, winged cats, etc.
The familiar/servitor counts as a Named character, with several notable restrictions:
The Familiar/Servitor can communicate verbally, or telepathically (with the Sorceror only) at a range equal to the combined Magic of the Sorceror and Familiar/Servitor x 50 meters. If the Familiar/Servitor is killed the Sorceror suffers a Backlash equal to the Familiar/Servitor's Magic x 2. You do not automatically receive a new Familiar/Servitor, and must buy the schtick again to receive a new one.
Create your Familiar/Servitor using the following archetype:
"Yessss master..."
Note: they suffer from the same Juncture modifiers as other Supernatural Creatures (see Rulebook, pages 121-122).
Divide 5 points among the Primary attributes. Divide 4 points among the Secondary attributes. The maximum for all attributes (including Secondary) is 8.
Add 3 Skill Bonuses.
Unique Schtick: Due to their small size they add +2 to their Dodge Values.
Limitations: They can't be healed by doctors (characters using the Medicine skill), except by those trained in 69 AD.
The Sorceror may purchase extra Creature Schticks for his familiar with his own Experience Points. Familiars/Servitors don't earn any themselves. The starting schticks, and any purchased later, can only be selected from the following list, and with the following modifications. These schticks are generally less effective than normal because Familiars/Servitors are very minor supernatural creatures. On the plus side, they only cost (4 + x) Experience Points per schtick/level. Creature Schticks marked with '*' cost the Familiar/Servitor both starting Creature Schticks, or cost the full, standard (8 + x) experience points if purchased later.
Shou Lung appears as a 1' long, wingless dragon, with emerald green scales, and sapphire blue eyes. He's usually hidden in his master's satchel, which features nice silk padding, air vents, and a small spy hole. Fond of cigars, he always smokes one while relaxing, puffing little smoke rings. He's grumpy and irritable, especially when called upon to help patch up the wounded "idiots" who gallivant around, getting shot, and making his life difficult. When severely threatened or annoyed he blasts the offender with a gout of flame. He also finds it useful for lighting his cigars.
Wretch-Vomit is a mere 1' tall, but is equally as broad, and rippling with sinewy muscle. His skin is blotchy, putrid yellow, with pulsing green-black veins. His features are wrinkled and evil, his hair is greasy red, and his eyes are pure black. His gnarled hands are tipped with tiny black claws. He wears a custom-made tiny suit. He acts as a bodyguard, labourer, and torturer for his master, enjoying his prolonged 'information extraction' duties immensely. He's utterly sick and sadistic. The only things he believes in are his master, and inflicting misery.
Last modified: December 1, 1996; please send comments to durrell@innocence.com.