Archibald was a corgi which quickly became a beloved member of the Travellers, despite the questionable circumstances surrounding his acquisition. The small dog had an infectious energy and unwavering loyalty to his new companions. Though he lack the ability to fight or cast spells, he has proven himself useful in his own way. Archibald has sometimes been able to detect certain things before the rest of the party, barking and growling at unseen threats. He also serve as a morale booster, always there to offer a friendly lick or wag of the tail.
Despite his endearing personality, in the beginning some members of the party couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. They suspected that the merchant who sold him to Bartimaeus had stolen him from his previous owner. Nevertheless, the party never brought up their concerns, as they didn't want to upset Bartimaeus or risk losing their furry companion.
Archibald's most notable moment came during a lucid nightmare of Varis. The party found themselves trapped within a nightmare created of Varis' memories, and were struggling to find a way out. When they went to visit the room of Bartimaeus and Archibald in the dream, a radiant light suddenly appeared, engulfing the room. Both Bartimaeus and Archibald were unreachable, something or someone stopped them from waking up within the nightmare. The rest of the party eventually managed to escape, but the incident left them with a sense of unease. They wondered if Archibald had some kind of mystical power that they had yet to discover, again the party never brought up their concerns on the matter and their adventures continued.
Regardless of his mysterious past and strange abilities, Archibald remained a faithful companion to the Travellers. He may have been just a pet, but to the party he was so much more.
Mutation and Reincarnation
At one point, Amelia's fervor for alchemical experimentation got the best of her, leading her to test one of her experimental concoctions on Archibald. The results were catastrophic, transforming the dog into a monstrous creature bristling with fangs, teeth, and spikes. Though still Archibald at heart, his appearance was now that of a terrifying beast, barely recognizable as a dog. This abomination caught the attention of a Lich, who, fascinated by the mutations, captured Archibald and subjected him to further experiments. These caused Archibald to grow even more grotesque and monstrous.
When the party finally confronted the Lich, he unleashed the mutated Archibald upon them. However, the party managed to charm the creature and, out of compassion, put him out of his misery. Seeking to free Archibald’s soul from the horrors it had endured, Rayenne used her druidic powers to reincarnate him, transforming the monstrosity into a weasel. Now, Archibald is free from the mutations and pain that once plagued him.