Cohorts

Adventurers attract followers as stories of their heroic deeds are immortalized in song. Characters can attract a number of Hit Dice worth of cohorts from level 6 onward equal to one-half their level, rounded down. As more Hit Dice are gained towards attracting cohorts, characters can either advance existing followers using the Monster Advancement rules or attract new ones.

Advancing existing followers or attracting fewer followers with higher Hit Dice inspires loyalty, granting a +1 skill bonus when interacting with cohorts for every two Hit Dice they possess. Some characters can begin with a cohort at level 1, like the Druid and Ranger with an animal companion or the Illusionist, Mage, Magus, Sorcerer, and Witch with a familiar.

If only one cohort is chosen with the maximum number of Hit Dice that can be attracted, the follower gains a bonus Hit Dice (above the normal restriction) for every level of the character they are following that divides by 3. These bonus Hit Dice can allow for more powerful followers. For example, a level 3 Ranger could attract a wolf animal companion with 2 Hit Dice.

Animal Companions
You can have an animal companion that helps and obeys you. The Hit Dice of this animal can be advanced like a normal cohort, but may start with up to 1 Hit Dice if you are a level 1 Druid or Ranger (for example, badger, dog, eagle, fox, monkey, owl). Animal companions gain +1 AC, +1 skill, or +1 stat for every Hit Dice that divides by 3.

Familiars
You can have an animal or monster familiar that helps and obeys you, but with +3 worth of assignable skills bonuses. The Hit Dice of this animal or monster can be advanced like a normal cohort, but may start with up to ½ Hit Dice if you are a level 1 Illusionist, Mage, Magus, Sorcerer, or Witch (for example, bat, cat, lizard, rat, raven, viper). You form a telepathic bond with your familiar and can sense what the creature senses at will, but take 1 point of damage for every 2 points of damage inflicted on the creature. Familiars gain +1 AC, +1 skill, or +1 stat for every Hit Dice that divides by 3.