Familiar



Familiars are creatures that can assist in amplifying and focusing the magic of a witch or Magician through the signing of a magically-binding contract.

History
Typically, a familiar is a fae creature, ranging from simple sprites to some of the most powerful fae in the magic world. A Witch will usually acquire their own familiar on their 50th birthday and remain together from then on. In some cases, the contract can be annulled by the authority of an elder Witch or a fae creature more powerful than the familiar.

In lieu of the fae, normal animals can also enter into contracts with practitioners. The animal must show an inclination towards magic, either through interacting with it or performing magic itself. In the past, witches mostly contracted animal familiars due to the ability to hide them in broad daylight, but they have since fallen out of favor due to being considered lesser next to the fae, such as not living as long despite the contract extending their lifespans.

Magicians have always been forced to contract with animals due to the fae generally disliking them as humans. However, since the war, it has become even more difficult for a Magician to acquire a familiar as people have become suspicious of animals as pets. Any animal other than livestock that hangs around for too long it often either chased away or killed due to the overwhelming paranoia amongst the human populace that has accumulated over the centuries.