In BG I only Minsc has a familiar. In BGII, if you're a mage you can have one yourself. I never tried them so I don't know what they're for.
Some sort of Pokemon ?
Yes - but can only be summoned by your PC not NPCs and are dependent upon your alignment (what I mean the type of familiar you summon is dependent upon your alignment)
If you want any more details just post
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
[url="http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/SpellsReference/Main.htm"]Baldur's Gate 2 Spells Reference[/url]: Strategy, tips, tricks, bugs, cheese and corrections to the manual.
[url="http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/SpellsReference/Main.htm"]Baldur's Gate 2 Spells Reference[/url]: Strategy, tips, tricks, bugs, cheese and corrections to the manual.