127 Votes in Poll
Thanks to a grimoire, you'll summon an otherworldly entity and have it become your faithful familiar, using its powers according to your will. Here's the information on each possible summon...
Vampire: An ancient immortal of the night, who has acquired both scientific and mystical knowledge across the centuries. Like all vampires, he possesses superior physical attributes (Strength, speed, durability, reflexes and senses), accelerated healing factor, fly via ''weightlessness'' and convert humans into vampires by injecting his blood into their bloodstream. Taking advantage of his immortality, he learned magic and now he can submit weak-willed individuals with a ''mesmerizing gaze'', control some critters like rodents and bats, shapeshift into a ''monster form'' to defeat strong enemies and even manipulate the weather, albeit mainly to conjure thick clouds. As for weaknesses, he needs one pint of blood a week or he'll starve to death (He can drink both human or animal blood), drinking vampire blood will poison him, silver and sacred weapons can negate his healing factor, the scent of garlic will drive him back, sunlight will turn off almost all of his supernatural powers (He'll still be superhumanly strong) and striking his heart and decapitation are still fatal even for centuries-old vampires. As a curiosity, vampires secrete an "anticoagulant saliva" and thus, they prevent those being bitten from bleeding out, allowing them to safely feed from the same creature multiple times.
Dragon: One of the last dragons, having killed each other or by ''heroes'' seeking fame and fortune. Like others of its kind, this dragon is a powerful creature the size of a T-Rex, capable of great destruction with his iconic fire breath. Like other fantastic creatures, dragons are able to fly by cancelling their gravity and then use their wings to move, thus not being affected by their weight and size. Dragons can also reduce their metabolism and vital functions to a much lower level, allowing them to sleep for years and essentially ''stop'' their lives. Perhaps one of its most well-known features, is their magic-resisting scales that protect them from practically all forms of magic and were harvested to create anti-magic weapons by humanity. Ironically, dragons are capable of magic themselves, mainly to shapeshift into humanoid form and blend with the lesser races, even creating ''half-breeds'' born with a higher affinity for magic.
Demon: Hailing from the hell-like realm known as ''Gehenna'', unlike other dark souls that fall there, he didn't repented on their actions (Which would had reincarnated him back on Earth) and ended up transforming into a demon. Like other demons, his physical attributes are superior to that of most humans, has biological immortality (Never dying from old age or disease), transform into a human disguise or a spectral form (To possess someone's body), naturally invisible to those without a high ''extra sensorial perception'' and see through illusions and spells with a ''third eye''. As if that wasn't enough, demons are practically unkillable as they'll resurrect back in Gehenna (Having to wait before returning, at least a few years) and to permanently end them, one must destroy their physical and ''astral'' bodies, which scatters their essence beyond repair and preventing any chance of revival.
Lich: Long ago, he was a handsome sorcerer that began to fear the day he'll age and eventually die. Wishing to obtain immortality, he learned about necromancy and its main goal, the process of becoming a ''Lich''. After a lot of work, he managed to seal his soul within an enchanted vessel and as long it remains inside, he won't be permanently killed by practically any mean (Albeit he became a ''living skeleton'' as a consequence), even complete disintegration will only be annoying, as a new body shall be conjured in a matter of days to restore his ''undeath''. If the vessel is destroyed, his soul will return to his body and as a consequence of cheating death, all the time he avoided shall age him to dust. While physically isn't than impressive, his magical powers are vast and deadly as he can cast a myriad of curses, conjure convincing illusions, raise the dead as his minions (As long they have a head) and even teleport around with portals (Only to places he's been after learning teleportation).
At first, they all seem too powerful for a mere human to control them, but the summoning ritual includes a protective spell, making your summon be unable to directly harm or kill you, having to obey your orders until the bond is destroyed or you die.
So, which of these shall become your companion? I must say, that the other three will be summoned by other people and they'll become their familiars.
"At first, they all seem too powerful for a mere human to control them." That's the thing though, I am no mere human. My command over my familiar isn't a magical one, but one of an instinctual understanding of my superiority, even if they don't consciously see me that way.
demon's are really the most useless familiars ever known and even powerful there is a backlash on what you have so yeah I'm going to either kill, torture,or imprison my familiar that I've chosen since it's weak and pathetic compare to other 3 but also the most rebellious it's like having a body guard that holds you at gunpoint
Interesting thought I wanna ask if you summoned the vampire and command it to turn you into a vampire of equal status his status and he does so but you are of his blood who the master then you as the summoner turned vampire "child" and he your servant/master/maker how does that impact the dynamic between summoner and familiar does it really change anything? Because he following your orders to turn you and to help you grow and improve and so he can serve you in any way. BTW I would chose something but I haven't chosen yet I am thinking about it all.
I chose dragon
What do you think?