Physical Characteristics
Familiars, or Will-o-the-Wisps, are small orbs of light. They come in a variety of colors that can change based on their emotions or their surroundings. They can also change their shape, often taking the shape of their Magi’s favorite creature, though it will always be a smaller version, usually no bigger than a house cat or a small dog. They are incorporeal, no matter what form they take, able to use the Mana the gives them life in short bursts to knock things over or move objects short distances.
Natural Habitat
Familiars can be found anywhere there is a concentration of Mana, either natural ley lines or a gathering of magic users. It is believed that they feed on the Mana, acting as a sort of recycler. They are essentially harmless, though it has been documented that a Familiar can use the Mana they’ve fed on to attack someone or something but it would feel like being pinched or shocked with very little lasting damage and rarely leaving behind marks.
Procreation
No one is really sure exactly how they procreate, the best guess has been more a process of replication. Studies on the Familiars have shown that they can sometimes split into two and this is assumed how more are created.
Special Abilities
Familiars have no magic of their own, the small bursts of Mana they use are fleeting and only residual based on their surroundings, but as they are incorporeal they can move just about everywhere. They do not need to breathe so even the ocean depths cannot stop them.
Weaknesses
Physical damage has very little effect on a Familiar, but magic directed at them in concentrated amounts can overload them and they seem to just “pop” out of existence.
Culture
Despite being more Mana than anything else, these bright creatures are excellent at mimicking behavior. The sounds they make do not form words, at least none we can understand, fairly similar to most animals. But the Mages that are bound to them quickly reach an understanding that borders on subconscious.
History
As long as there as been magic, there have been familiars. Originally referred to as Wisps, they were drawn to Mana. The stronger the concentration, the more Wisps would manifest around it. The Orders of Magi learned quickly that this little creatures could actually act as a buffer, absorbing excess Mana and harmlessly recycling it back into the world. They found a way to bind a Wisp to an Acolyte, in this way the Wisp can draw off the Mana an Acolyte channels if they try to channel too much, protecting the Acolyte from burning themselves out or harming others. Wisps became Familiars, and bonds formed between the Mages and their wispy companions to the point that losing a Familiar felt like losing a part of themselves. When a Mage dies, their Familiar will become so depressed that they lose their color and without help, they can simply cease to exist.