Allied Spirits

[mikuel]

How do game masters use allied spirits?  Do players just use them as a spare tank for extra magic points?  I notice that they have Power and Intelligence.  Which makes me wonder what's it like to be a spirit.  What do they talk about?  What do they do in their spare time?  Do they get bored?   

[Rob Darvall]

Mine get bored and mock their PC allies.
One IS a PC who can shift between his Rhino host and a sacred Rhino Horn Knobkerrie when his PC ally uses the sacred formula "Jo-kyu I choose you".

[davecake]

Allied spirits can cast spells, and use the senses of their ally to do so.  This is incredibly useful in a fight - if housed in an object they can either cast spells on their ally, or on their opponent, usually, even if their ally is engaged in melee combat. If housed in an animal they can target spells independently (for example, target spells on those sneaking up on their ally, or scout ahead). Either way, this is super useful in multiple ways. 

As for personalities, mostly they are devoted followers of their god with limited knowledge of the mortal world. But while they should always be an ally of the PC when it counts, their personality and disposition is an opportunity for roleplaying and fun. 

 

Edited April 23, 2020 by davecake

[davecake]

And just noting that this ability of Allied spirits to share the senses of their ally and cast spells that way is a reason why Allied spirits are better than bound spirits. You can order a bound spirit to cast spells, but if it is in an object it has no senses to allow it to do so.