Familiars are a valuable addition to a mage's skills. They allow a mage to be more aware of her surroundings and to perform minor espionage and other tasks. However, they can also be a danger - if the familiar is killed, the mage is in trouble. Some magi eschew familiars in favor of focusing more on their magic, channeling energy they would be spending on their familiars into other endeavors. The Kirin Tor, in particular, develops numerous other studies that its members can pursue.