Does this idea exist yet, for a caster with a familiar?

[JosMartigan]

I was watching Golden Compass (don't judge me! :) ) . The main character's bonded "demon" changes shape pretty much based on her mood. I was wondering if there was an archetype for a caster with arcane bond (familiar), that could change their familiar each day (for example) to gain a bonus based on their mood for the day (i.e. inquisitive, paranoid, fearful, aggressive, etc.)

Since familiars have templates (or can have them) could that be a part of the archetype as well; change the template to suit the needs of the caster?

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

No...the closest thing might be a protean based familiar, if such exists.

[lokidr]

An quasit familiar would have the change shape ability and telepathy and empathy with the caster. Imps would have more forms available.

[Samasboy1]

Transformation Patron familiar is the best I can think of.

[JosMartigan]

Imp or Quasit is a good idea. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and this is more a summoner/eidolon concept?

[Tyinyk]

The Figment familiar archetype might fit somewhat.

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

JosMartigan wrote:

Imp or Quasit is a good idea. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and this is more a summoner/eidolon concept?

Evolutionist Summoner is pretty much what you're looking for.

[CalethosVB]

The figment familiar archetype would fit thematically is not as a rule basis as the daemon is the physical manifestation of the human's soul in that world, though the transitional nature of a child's daemon is beyond the scope of a standard familiar in Pathfinder. I agree with the Evolutionist Summoner though. That seems to be right up your alley.

His Dark Materials is better read than watched. The movie... I can just say I'm glad they didn't bother with a sequel.

[JosMartigan]

I never said it was a good movie or that I had taste . . . :)

But I do tend to find glimmers of inspiration and thoughts of "I wonder if I can create/emulate that?" in some of the most bizarre places.

[Theliah Strongarm]

JosMartigan wrote:

I was watching Golden Compass (don't judge me! :) ) . The main character's bonded "demon" changes shape pretty much based on her mood. I was wondering if there was an archetype for a caster with arcane bond (familiar), that could change their familiar each day (for example) to gain a bonus based on their mood for the day (i.e. inquisitive, paranoid, fearful, aggressive, etc.)

Since familiars have templates (or can have them) could that be a part of the archetype as well; change the template to suit the needs of the caster?

Try the Summoner.

[Rajnish Umbra, Shadow Caller]

Yeah, Summoners even get an archetype that allows them to keep changing their Eidolon more often than usual.

D&D 3.5 had a... Prestige Class, I think? Or just a feat? That allowed changeling wizards (Eberron changelings, not pathfinder changelings. Half-Doppelganger, not half-hag.) to switch out their familiar. Not sure if it was daily or completely at will, but it was pretty often.

[Theliah Strongarm]

And there's also something in the Unchained Summoner in, you guessed it, Pathfinder Unchained that deals with your question. I think there's also some feats that might help.

[Azothath]

lol... cute idea sans (copyright).

Ummm, besides a weekly cost of 200*WizLvl GP it's more akin to casting AlterSelf {long duration} multiple times per day on the familiar or being first level in PFS (every game you could change the familiar around).

I didn't see anything in PF Unchained though the exact look of a eidolon in Unch Sum is undefined. The eidolon "subtype" remains defined but the "base form" can vary.

PF Unchnd wrote:

The eidolon’s physical appearance is up to the summoner, but it always appears as some sort of fantastical creature appropriate to its subtype. This control is not fine enough to make the eidolon appear like a specific creature. The eidolon also bears a glowing rune that is identical to a rune that appears on the summoner’s forehead as long as the eidolon is summoned. ...

To get the frequency of the change from Golden Compass would take some doing. You'd most likely have to house rule it as a feat;

Feat: Unstable Form (magic)
Req: Familiar or Animal Companion class ability.
Your familiar/animal changes form within a randomized 1d12 set of familiar forms with successful Sense Motive check vs the master (DC 15 +circumstance bonuses) or at the GM's whim using a standard action to do so. This feat changes to Stable Form at Caster Level 3 whereupon the familiar attains a set type and race and the Familiar gains the benefits of the Toughness feat.

[Revan]

The Magical Child Vigilante archetype eventually gains several forms for its familiar.

[Sir Jerden]

It isn't really what you want, but Magical Child Vigilante gets Change shape on her familiar with at least 4 forms, and you can get a shapeshifting improved familiar to have at least 5. Or contingency beast shape on your familiar for when you get really angry!

(This reminds me of when my table optimised a raptor for perform: dance, to be honest. We didn't do it in the end, but it would have been amazing but also useless.)

You could ask your GM for it as a feat, although you may not want it to stabilise. Maybe just designate a form for different moods, it's not too powerful as it's a familiar.

Or just homebrew up a Golden Compass setting! Everyone gets a familiar!

[JosMartigan]

"In this world, humans' souls naturally exist outside of their bodies in the form of sentient "dæmons", talking animal spirits that constantly accompany, aid, and comfort their humans. Children's dæmons can freely and instantaneously change their appearance into that of any real or mythical creature; once people reach puberty, however, their dæmons settle into one permanent form."

I think a Hunter is the closest thing to a Golden Compass human and their daemon.

I'm thinking about altering the class to be more in line with that concept.
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas?

[JosMartigan]

JosMartigan wrote:

"In this world, humans' souls naturally exist outside of their bodies in the form of sentient "dæmons", talking animal spirits that constantly accompany, aid, and comfort their humans. Children's dæmons can freely and instantaneously change their appearance into that of any real or mythical creature; once people reach puberty, however, their dæmons settle into one permanent form."

I think a Hunter is the closest thing to a Golden Compass human and their daemon.

I'm thinking about altering the class to be more in line with that concept.
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas?

So it occurs to me that I can use some of what the Shaman has for spirits/spirit animals and pare away the extra stuff:

a moderate BAB

not sure about saves (maybe based on the type of companion: combat companions give a bonus Fort, stealthy give Reflex, scholarly give Will)

1d8 HD

Remove the wild/nature aspect. Animal Focus (from hunter) would be based just on the bonded animal type: movement based ability, lowlight vision, scent, blindsense, natural armor boost, maybe a bonus feat or a skill boost; all dependent upon the type of animal.