The Cat

“Cat,” Rina's unnamed familiar, is a young male cat, gray with splashes of white on his chest, face, one foot, and the tip of his tail. The runt of his litter and rejected by his mother, the cat was rescued and nursed to health by Rina at home on her farm. The kitten took an uncanny interest in her life, and had almost-human sympathy for her troubles. He followed her all over the farm, much to the chagrin of Rina's strictly Malegrinite parents, who knew of their daughter's reputation. Ironically, their suspicions proved true: when Rina's witchcraft powers began to manifest, the cat bonded with her as her familiar. He accompanied her out of Hart's Field and has traveled with Fourth Group ever since. The cat is as willful as the rest of his kind, and marginally more intelligent than a normal feline. He is a somewhat lazy creature who tends to run from troubles and befriend anyone who gives him food, but he is loyal to Rina and would never abandon her. The cat has barely disguised antipathy for Chris' dog Hamlet, which he regards as his intellectual inferior, and is wary of Chris as well.

Hamlet

Chris's constant companion since the destruction of Hustler's Ridge has been Hamlet, a golden retriever puppy. Chris rescued Hamlet from the ruins of his town after it was destroyed during the Twilight Times, and the puppy has accompanied him ever since, even through the trials of the witches and the many dangers Fourth Group has faced. Hamlet is very friendly, hyperactive, and to Chris' embarrassment, not terribly bright. He loves everyone (even those, like the cat, who dislike him), but fortunately seems to have a good sense of what is evil and avoids such beings. Hamlet recently underwent a growth spurt, changing rapidly from a tiny yipping puppy to a large, deep-voiced, and still growing dog. The rapid maturity seems to have done little for his intellect, however, and he continues to follow his master in a state of happy bewilderment.

Skar

Zree's familiar is a large Graydale hare. Named for the facial scar he gained in a fight with a fox (which the hare claims to have won), Skar is far from being a friendly, cuddly bunny. He is mean, ill-tempered, pugnacious, and tends to sneer as much as his Calarthian master. Skar is more intelligent than the average familiar due to the effects of a familiar enhancer spell, and has the power to pass without trace as a result of the enchantment. The unfriendly rabbit has already developed an enmity with the cat and is very unhappy to be in the presence of Hamlet; the cat reciprocates this rivalry, but Hamlet, fortunately, seems blissfully unaware of the reputation of his species for rabbit-hunting. Recently, Skar went through a period of even more unruly behavior, occasionally feeding on meat (especially the bloodiest chunks) and attacking party members. It eventually turned out that Zree had been possessed by a demon during the group's trip to Hawk Mountain, and that his familiar was manifesting the intruder's bloodthirsty behavior. After the demon was defeated, Skar returned to a more peaceful demeanor, although the ordeal left him surlier than ever.

Snapper

When Rina bought this strong, spirited riding horse for the paltry sum of 30 crown, she thought she had a bargain. But no sooner did she lead the horse down the road than he stopped dead. When she attempted to make him move, he demonstrated the habit which earne him his name. Snapper has since bitten Chris, Flem, Zhaddule Feathertooth, several stablehands, and anyone else he can get his teeth on. Rina has used an animal friendship spell on the horse and asked him not to bite others, but he remains willful and persists in his habits whenever she is out of sight.

Starlight

This male riding horse was Flem's companion before he left the town of Toby Creek, and the only friend he had who did not beat him. Starlight was one of Cecil Torrenn's prize horses, a black stallion with a white star on his forehead. He remains loyal to Flem and is one of his closest friends.

Chris's Horse

Unlike Snapper and Starlight, Chris's horse seems to be a very run-of-the-mill animal, and hasn't distinguished himself in any significant way.

The Turtle

This nameless box turtle is perhaps Fourth Group's most unusual ally. One night in the Dusty Road Inn, Flem saw an omen from Meriadar in his stew, urging him to go into the Orcstalked Woods to seek a sign. Dragging a skeptical Rina and Chris with him, Flem went to the appointed spot and waited. The group was ambushed by orcs, and during the battle Flem was bitten by a box turtle. Picking the creature up, he found that it spoke to him, but only in his mind. The turtle has a Meriadarian bowl marking on its shell, and seems to be a proxy of that god. It has accompanied Flem since, and on one occasion demonstrated powerful magical abilities: during the battle with the Markirans on Howling Dusk, when Chris and Flem were held , the turtle proclaimed, “I do not accept this,” and dispelled the magic.

The turtle is a Zen-like creature with a calm, peaceful outlook. It occasionally dispenses simple but poignant wisdom to Flem and the rest of the group, who can communicate with the turtle now through their mind-bond. Its true powers and agenda remain unknown, but the group has come to trust and respect the small, blessed reptile who rides in the pouch of a simple priest and speaks for an equally humble god.