My current project is a wizard with an avian familiar. After learning 920 I'd consistently summon the same familiar using the binding rune for months. During the Spitfire run, with the awesome customization of familiars and talismans to keep them (Thank you Galene!), my familiar shed a feather. It had not ever done that before. During the week of the Spitfire it shed at least three. Since the Spitfire it has only shed one!

My character has a use for these feathers so it is a delight that this is something that happens. Not having played a wizard with an avian familiar for a good length of time I have to ask how often does this happen?

Chad, player of a few

Possibly a little late to the party here...

But I've had an avian familiar for years. And, if I'm logged in... that owl is usually parked in the town center for wherever I am. With a heavily-used owl familiar, I can say from personal experience that I probably average at least a week or two between feathers.

(When this feature was first released years ago... the rate was MUCH higher. The end result was that at the end of an evening, you might have a pile of feathers 20-deep piled up in TSC. Needless to say, the gen rate was slowed down pretty quickly after that.)

Signed,
Raelee and her Strings

>Speaking to Zyllah, Alyias says, "See? Raelee knows all."

>>It got me thinking that it would be neat if wizard familiar feathers had special properties for fletching.

Agreed! Wouldn't it be cool if:

1) Avian familiar - as discussed (fletching).
2) Lupine familiar - hair useful for alchemical reagent or even short term affect (like 'grouped fear resist' - the pack fears nothing).
3) Rodent familiar - hair useful for alchemical reagent or even short term affect (like 'sneaky shadowy ability' - the rat goes where it will).
4) Wyrdlings - small crystaline elemental forces (don't ask where they come from!!) useful for alchemical reagent or even short term affect (like 'resist this!' - hanging around a ball of lightning builds up a certain toughness to one's senses).

And so on. . .

Doug

>or or ... certain owly feathers give a wisdom bonus ...

By "bonus" you mean "severe penalty"... right? :)

Signed,
Raelee and her Strings

>Speaking to Zyllah, Alyias says, "See? Raelee knows all."