RAW referenced in these questions...
" This alchemical familiar appears to be a small
creature of flesh and blood, though it might have some unusual or distinguishing aspects
depending on your creative process. Like other familiars, your alchemical familiar assists
you in your laboratory and on adventures."
"Familiars are mystically bonded creatures tied to your
magic. Most familiars were originally animals, though
the ritual of becoming a familiar makes them something
more. You can choose a Tiny animal you want as your
familiar, such as a bat, cat, raven, or snake. Some familiars
are different, usually described in the ability that granted
you a familiar; for example, a druid’s leshy familiar is a
Tiny plant instead of an animal, formed from a minor
nature spirit."
I have read a couple things both from the RAW as well as some of the other threads. Though I haven't seen these questions answered.
1) is the size of the familiar for an alchemist "small"? The text states...
" a small creature". Is this mean a small or just a generalization for tiny.
2) Can a familiar not be an animal? I saw words in the Familiar entry about can be or may. I did not see any language that would say it must be. Like could we have a classically identified homunculus: wings, bipedal, etc. Perhaps some other nondescript creature form yet to be imagined.
3) the general way its describe a familiar sounds like a summoner's elodian. You can pick new traits every day, so can we just assume basic forms like an elodian and then add the traits we want?(Serpent, bipedal, or quadruped as a base form) If then you want to declare a form (bat, cat, rat, etc.) Then you would be restricted.
4) The RAW also show that you can spend downtime days to recover your familiar in the case it dies. The text says no cost for 7 days. In society I may not have 7 days of downtime if it dies. What is the cost of your familiar's recovery if I need it faster then 7 days?
I noticed that some of these question seem to repeat themselves I just want to make sure I am playing my familiar correctly. Thank you for your answers!