[quote=@SUN]
<Snipped quote by merrrrideth>

No you're right the familiars are more like scholars and apprentices to the town officials...leaders aren't needed because each familiar works on their own discoveries and what not. Also sorry for the absence! College prep is a difficult thing.  Also regarding the veins, the idea was that they are physical creatures but are connected to their owner spiritually. So yes they can die but their spirit can linger or take form of another animal or creature. 
[/quote]

so when they grow 'old' they can like... reborn in either way a new form or back as a cub from the same animal.. A little like a Phoenix but without the burning itself