However, I'm going to say that the familiar does not gain these benefits (higher intelligence, skills, ability to be understood by the magic-user, etc.) all at once. Every 1d4 days of being with Quint will see the hawk's intelligence raise by 1 point (from a base of 3); as its intelligence rises it will gain skill knowledge, the ability to speak, etc.Familiar: The character gains a familiar, a magical animal companion. The familiar will be a creature appropriate to the character’s alignment and other powers (as determined by the Judge). The familiar always has a number of Hit Dice and maximum hit points equal to ½ its master’s own; Intelligence equal to its master’s Intelligence; and a number of general and class proficiencies [read: skills] equal to its masters, selected from its master’s class list. The familiar can always understand any languages spoken by its master, and the character will be able to understand the familiar’s speech, though no one else will without resorting to speak with animals. The familiar is utterly loyal to its master and will fight for him, perform services, and generally obey his commands. While the familiar is within 30', the character receives +1 on saving throws, but if the familiar is ever killed, the character must save versus Death or instantly take damage equal to the familiar’s maximum total hit points. A character does not gain a new familiar if it is slain until he has gained a level of experience.
Right now the hawk has 2 HD and a maximum of 4 hp
Hawk hp: (2d8=9). Yup, 4 hp.
Going to let it play out a bit IC, I think. Gotta make it a good one...
