[RPG] use the Find Familiar spell to turn a small pet into a familiar

animalsdnd-5efamiliars

I'm playing a forest gnome wizard and as part of my backstory, I've befriended a squirrel, using my Speak with Small Beasts race feature (PHB p. 37), and it follows me around. The squirrel is mostly for fun roleplaying moments, since mechanically it doesn't count as an animal companion or allow me any big benefits. One of my long-term goals is to be able to cast wish to emulate the Druid's awaken spell, thus giving sentience to my best buddy. However, that's still quite a ways off.

In the meantime, I was wondering if there's some way to turn the squirrel into my familiar. From what I understand, the find familiar spell summons some kind of spirit to become my familiar… but I don't want a spirit; I want this one specific squirrel.

Is this possible?

Best Answer

RAW, No, but...

As you've said, find familiar creates a

familiar, a spirit that takes an animal form you choose

However, talk to your DM.

This would definitely fall under the realm of things I as a DM would allow, especially because it fits in the roleplay department and doesn't change balance. If you talk to your DM, I bet they'd ignore RAW in this specific instance.