Sam
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:07 am
Age: 23
Race: Parrot familiar. (Not a shifter, a parrot.)
Physical Description: Sam is a standard Timneh African Grey Parrot. He looks like a standard Timneh African Grey Parrot with no distinctive marks or visible injuries.
Possessions: Sam is a parrot. He has no possessions, although he will sometimes collect pebbles, seeds or shiny things.
Powers or Strengths:
He’s a parrot
Sam can fly, and has superior sight and hearing to a human.
Intelligence
African Greys are reasonably intelligent, but Sam is intelligent even for a parrot. He’s about as intelligent as a human, with similar communication skills (although he’s reluctant to let people know this).
Magical bonding
Sam can bond with magic-users. It doesn’t make him stronger, but it does make them stronger.
Sam acts as a sort of magical battery. With the consent of a magic-user (who Sam refers to as his wizard) and a simple drawing of their blood, he can create a bond through which his magic can pass. Magic-users bonded in such a way can use his magic instead of some or all of their own in magical spells , but there are risks – the more magic they draw at once, the greater the chance that they will lose control and it will overwhelm them. Such events tend to kill the magic-user in various ways, from dramatically catching fire to simply having a heart attack. A magic-user’s ability to absorb such magic depends both on the talent and skills of the magic-user and their experience at using such bonds (channelling power makes it easy to channel more power, like a sort of drug resistance). As a rule of thumb, a highly talented magic user with experience with Sam could replace up to a third of their own power in spells with his power, effectively increasing their power by a third, whereas an inexperienced user or one without much talent would be taking a risk sustituting more than five or ten per cent. Either Sam or his wizard can sever the bond at any time, but doing so in the middle of a spell may disrupt the spell.
Sam’s power is also limited, depending on how much magic he has absorbed. As spells vary wildly between magic-users, it is difficult to quantify Sam’s ability to assist, but he could be said to have as much power as a low-to-moderately talented magic-user himself at maximum capacity, although he cannot use said power himself.
In theory, Sam should be able to create multiple bonds, or to speak telepathically or even see through the eyes of his wizard, but he hasn’t mastered any of these skills.
Magic absorption
Sam picks up magical energy from the environment around him, soaking it up for later use. He himself cannot use magic in any way except to absorb it or to create a bond with a magic user; he passes it to his wizard through their bond as the wizard uses it. As Sam has a maximum amount of energy that he can hold, his ability to absorb magic is therefore dependent on the ability and frequency with which his wizard uses magic. In theory, this ability could be used as a shield or to drain a magical barrier or effect, but this is of limited use; the process is inefficient and although Sam might, for example, weaken a fireball slightly by draining a little of the power, he couldn’t stop it altogether. He was designed to absorb ambient magical energy, not drain specific spells. Sam does not control this ability; any magic in the area not being directly powered by his wizard is subject to the drain (this includes long-term spells cast by his wizard that are not being directly powered at that moment; for example, magical auras designed to protect them while sleeping or magical items created by his wizard are subject to this drain). He absorbs more magic when his magic levels are low.
Magic sensing
Sam can sense the flow and strength of magic in his immediate area. He can tell 'organised' (spell) magic from ambient magic, and the flow often gives him a good idea of who is casting a spell and wher the spell's effects would be, but he can't tell anything else about it until he's familiar with the specific spell and its caster. Sam can sense some magic-users using this because they have a tendency to 'bleed' ambient magic to his eyes, but this varies between individuals.
Self-knowledge
Sam has been schooled in how his abilities work and the risks to himself and his wizard. He knows how to create magical bonds, although they’re not as advanced as they should be.
Weaknesses and Flaws:
He’s a parrot
Sam suffers all the physical weaknesses of a small parrot. He can’t carry much, the worst injury he can give in a fight is a small flesh wound and while he could probably unlock a poorly designed cage if you gave him a key and a lot of time he doesn’t possess the reach, strength or motor control of your average humanoid.
Magic
Sam needs to watch his magic levels in the way that most watch their energy levels. If his magic levels are too low, he becomes weak, lethargic and passive. If they’re too high, he becomes agitated and irritable. Both states are very uncomfortable. As he can’t stop himself from absorbing magic until he reaches capacity, it’s quite uncomfortable for him to go without a wizard for too long a period of time.
Cynical loudmouth
Sam is sarcastic and cynical. He likes to pretend to be an ordinary bird but has, on occasion, almost given himself away to potentially dangerous people with his complete inability to shut the hell up.
Illiteracy
Sam cannot read or write any languages.
History:
Sam was born to wild parents but trapped by a wizard soon after learning to fly. One of several experimental animal familiars, he was one of the few that survived the process. He spent five years with the wizard, taking part in various experiments that developed his abilities and his intellect, before being gifted to his nephew, an 8-year-old illusionist named Jason with a small amount of magical talent.
Jason and Sam made a decent team. They lived peacefully for many years. Jason grew up and married a local healer, all with Sam by his side.
Jason was 25 when the accident occurred. Although his only magical talent was illusions, he leapt to his wife’s aid when their house was ransacked by travelling mercenaries who had entered the town on an unrelated matter. Intending to scare them off, he drew too much power to create his illusion of local law enforcement, lost control, and caught fire. Only Sam and a couple of mercenaries survived the ensuing housefire.
Too ashamed to face his creator, Sam let the locals believe that Jason’s pet parrot had died in the fire and headed into the forest. But even far away from intelligent life, magic can be found, and Sam slowly collected such magic. He ignored the discomfort and agitation that grew over time, but he couldn’t ignore the trappers that, for the second time in his life, captured him and took him away from the forest.
Sam is supposed to be sold in Marn. But he’s not putting up with that. It’s time to stop messing around. It’s time for him to find himself a new wizard. Whether he tempts some thief over, escapes after sale or just pulls his own cage open when nobody is looking, he’s going to find the perfect new partner somehow.
Race: Parrot familiar. (Not a shifter, a parrot.)
Physical Description: Sam is a standard Timneh African Grey Parrot. He looks like a standard Timneh African Grey Parrot with no distinctive marks or visible injuries.
Possessions: Sam is a parrot. He has no possessions, although he will sometimes collect pebbles, seeds or shiny things.
Powers or Strengths:
He’s a parrot
Sam can fly, and has superior sight and hearing to a human.
Intelligence
African Greys are reasonably intelligent, but Sam is intelligent even for a parrot. He’s about as intelligent as a human, with similar communication skills (although he’s reluctant to let people know this).
Magical bonding
Sam can bond with magic-users. It doesn’t make him stronger, but it does make them stronger.
Sam acts as a sort of magical battery. With the consent of a magic-user (who Sam refers to as his wizard) and a simple drawing of their blood, he can create a bond through which his magic can pass. Magic-users bonded in such a way can use his magic instead of some or all of their own in magical spells , but there are risks – the more magic they draw at once, the greater the chance that they will lose control and it will overwhelm them. Such events tend to kill the magic-user in various ways, from dramatically catching fire to simply having a heart attack. A magic-user’s ability to absorb such magic depends both on the talent and skills of the magic-user and their experience at using such bonds (channelling power makes it easy to channel more power, like a sort of drug resistance). As a rule of thumb, a highly talented magic user with experience with Sam could replace up to a third of their own power in spells with his power, effectively increasing their power by a third, whereas an inexperienced user or one without much talent would be taking a risk sustituting more than five or ten per cent. Either Sam or his wizard can sever the bond at any time, but doing so in the middle of a spell may disrupt the spell.
Sam’s power is also limited, depending on how much magic he has absorbed. As spells vary wildly between magic-users, it is difficult to quantify Sam’s ability to assist, but he could be said to have as much power as a low-to-moderately talented magic-user himself at maximum capacity, although he cannot use said power himself.
In theory, Sam should be able to create multiple bonds, or to speak telepathically or even see through the eyes of his wizard, but he hasn’t mastered any of these skills.
Magic absorption
Sam picks up magical energy from the environment around him, soaking it up for later use. He himself cannot use magic in any way except to absorb it or to create a bond with a magic user; he passes it to his wizard through their bond as the wizard uses it. As Sam has a maximum amount of energy that he can hold, his ability to absorb magic is therefore dependent on the ability and frequency with which his wizard uses magic. In theory, this ability could be used as a shield or to drain a magical barrier or effect, but this is of limited use; the process is inefficient and although Sam might, for example, weaken a fireball slightly by draining a little of the power, he couldn’t stop it altogether. He was designed to absorb ambient magical energy, not drain specific spells. Sam does not control this ability; any magic in the area not being directly powered by his wizard is subject to the drain (this includes long-term spells cast by his wizard that are not being directly powered at that moment; for example, magical auras designed to protect them while sleeping or magical items created by his wizard are subject to this drain). He absorbs more magic when his magic levels are low.
Magic sensing
Sam can sense the flow and strength of magic in his immediate area. He can tell 'organised' (spell) magic from ambient magic, and the flow often gives him a good idea of who is casting a spell and wher the spell's effects would be, but he can't tell anything else about it until he's familiar with the specific spell and its caster. Sam can sense some magic-users using this because they have a tendency to 'bleed' ambient magic to his eyes, but this varies between individuals.
Self-knowledge
Sam has been schooled in how his abilities work and the risks to himself and his wizard. He knows how to create magical bonds, although they’re not as advanced as they should be.
Weaknesses and Flaws:
He’s a parrot
Sam suffers all the physical weaknesses of a small parrot. He can’t carry much, the worst injury he can give in a fight is a small flesh wound and while he could probably unlock a poorly designed cage if you gave him a key and a lot of time he doesn’t possess the reach, strength or motor control of your average humanoid.
Magic
Sam needs to watch his magic levels in the way that most watch their energy levels. If his magic levels are too low, he becomes weak, lethargic and passive. If they’re too high, he becomes agitated and irritable. Both states are very uncomfortable. As he can’t stop himself from absorbing magic until he reaches capacity, it’s quite uncomfortable for him to go without a wizard for too long a period of time.
Cynical loudmouth
Sam is sarcastic and cynical. He likes to pretend to be an ordinary bird but has, on occasion, almost given himself away to potentially dangerous people with his complete inability to shut the hell up.
Illiteracy
Sam cannot read or write any languages.
History:
Sam was born to wild parents but trapped by a wizard soon after learning to fly. One of several experimental animal familiars, he was one of the few that survived the process. He spent five years with the wizard, taking part in various experiments that developed his abilities and his intellect, before being gifted to his nephew, an 8-year-old illusionist named Jason with a small amount of magical talent.
Jason and Sam made a decent team. They lived peacefully for many years. Jason grew up and married a local healer, all with Sam by his side.
Jason was 25 when the accident occurred. Although his only magical talent was illusions, he leapt to his wife’s aid when their house was ransacked by travelling mercenaries who had entered the town on an unrelated matter. Intending to scare them off, he drew too much power to create his illusion of local law enforcement, lost control, and caught fire. Only Sam and a couple of mercenaries survived the ensuing housefire.
Too ashamed to face his creator, Sam let the locals believe that Jason’s pet parrot had died in the fire and headed into the forest. But even far away from intelligent life, magic can be found, and Sam slowly collected such magic. He ignored the discomfort and agitation that grew over time, but he couldn’t ignore the trappers that, for the second time in his life, captured him and took him away from the forest.
Sam is supposed to be sold in Marn. But he’s not putting up with that. It’s time to stop messing around. It’s time for him to find himself a new wizard. Whether he tempts some thief over, escapes after sale or just pulls his own cage open when nobody is looking, he’s going to find the perfect new partner somehow.