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A familiar is an animal chosen by a spell caster to aid him in his study of magic. It retains the appearance, Hit Dice, base attack bonus, base save bonuses, skills, and feats of the normal animal it once was, but is now a magical beast for the purpose of effects that depend on its type. Only a normal, unmodified animal may become a familiar. An animal companion cannot also function as a familiar.

A familiar grants special abilities to its master. These special abilities apply only when the master and familiar are within 1 mile of each other.

Levels of different classes that are entitled to familiars stack for the purpose of determining any familiar abilities that depend on the master's level.

If a familiar is dismissed, lost, or dies, it can be replaced 1 week later through a specialized ritual that costs 200 gp per wizard level. The ritual takes 8 hours to complete.

All familiars have special abilities (or impart abilities to their masters) depending on the master's combined level in classes that grant familiars, as shown below. The abilities are cumulative.

1st–2nd Level: Alertness, improved evasion, share spells, empathic link
3rd–4th Level: Deliver touch spells

Init +3; Senses Perception +14

AC 17, touch 15, flat-footed 14
hp 13 (3d8+3)
SR 0
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +5

Spd 60 ft/air; 10ft/land
Melee 2 Talons +7 (1d4+2) 20/x2

Str 6, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 7
BAB +2, CMB +2, CMD +14
Special Qualities
Low-light vision
Racial Modifier: +8 Perception
Alertness: While a familiar is within arm's reach, the master gains the Alertness feat
Improved Evasion: When subjected to an attack that allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, an familiar takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw and only half damage if the saving throw fails
Share Spells: Magus may cast a spell with a target of “You” on this familiar. Magus may cast spells on this familiar even if the spells normally do not affect familiar type
Empathetic Link: The master has an empathic link with his familiar to a 1 mile distance. The master can communicate emphatically with the familiar, but cannot see through its eyes. Because of the link's limited nature, only general emotions can be shared. The master has the same connection to an item or place that his familiar does
Deliver Touch Spells : A familiar can deliver touch spells for him. If the master and the familiar are in contact at the time the master casts a touch spell, he can designate his familiar as the “toucher.” The familiar can then deliver the touch spell just as the master would. As usual, if the master casts another spell before the touch is delivered, the touch spell dissipates.
Master Bonus: The master of a Hawk familiar gains a +3 bonus on sight-based and opposed Perception checks in bright light.

Feats Weapon Finesse: With a light or natural weapons, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack

Key Skills Acrobatics +3, Climb +3, Escape Artist +3, Fly +11, Perception +14, Ride +4, Stealth +15, Swim +7