Z is for Zoomorph

Zoomorphic familiars, elementals and plants

Wizards are always looking for way to increase their power or reduce the logistic of running a laboratory. Some solutions involve dark magic or apprentices, but the most common one is to have a familiar. These can be an animal bound to the wizard’s psyche. Or constructs and homunculi replicating a living form. Experts in the domain explain that constructs replicating shape and partial functions of an animal are the best choice. They don’t age, don’t eat, don’t sleep and are robust given that they can be partially repaired. The process is complex but can be eased by observing and even dissecting specimen of the targeted animal. Such zoomorphic familiars are usually owned by members of the College of the Golden Order or of the College of Amethyst Order. When wizards grow in power, they have the option to enhance their familiar. Rumors tell that the mechanical monkey of the master of the golden college is now completely made of gold and even more precious material. It was constructed long time ago by a promising apprentice wizard with a lot of iron and few piece of brass and copper.

Elementalists, priests, or nature itself can produce elementals of various source, size and shape. The shape is mostly a pure manifestation of the raw element. Sometimes it take an humanoid form. In some even rarer occurrences it takes the form of an animal. This event is linked to very specific natural conditions or when summoned by a very powerful spellcaster. Several specialists in various academic circles share a common theory. Zoomorphic elementals are stronger for a reason. Either the shape gives them a power surge or the reverse. Whatever the reason is, zoomorphic elemental have a very strong bond with the physical world. So beware of fire birds, water octopus, or stone turtle elementals.

Some conscious plants also mimic animals. They do so to replicate the features they observe around them but lack. One typical example is the dangerous poisonous vines and bushes trying to replicate the shape of rodents and rabbits they eat.

Having animate things taking the shape of animals is nice way to complete this revisiting of the fauna of the Old World. Hope you enjoyed some of the articles.

-JMT

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