diff --git a/res/e3a/races.xml b/res/e3a/races.xml
index 7bb80edc0..2386a5ea9 100644
--- a/res/e3a/races.xml
+++ b/res/e3a/races.xml
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
     <skill name="magic" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="dolphin" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="dolphin"/>
     <familiar race="giantturtle"/>
   </race>
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="weaponsmithing" modifier="2"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="wolf" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="wolf"/>
     <familiar race="ghost"/>
   </race>
 
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@
     <skill name="magic" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="eagle" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="eagle"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
   </race>
   
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
     <skill name="weaponsmithing" modifier="1"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
     <attack type="5"/>
-    <familiar race="imp" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="ghost"/>
   </race>
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@
     <skill name="training" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="nymph" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="nymph"/>
     <familiar race="unicorn"/>
   </race>
 
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
     <skill name="training" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5+3"/>
-    <familiar race="tunnelworm" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="tunnelworm"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
   </race>
 
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@
     <skill name="weaponsmithing" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="lynx" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="lynx"/>
     <familiar race="songdragon"/>
   </race>
 
diff --git a/res/eressea/races.xml b/res/eressea/races.xml
index b1f105f98..67d84c763 100644
--- a/res/eressea/races.xml
+++ b/res/eressea/races.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
     <skill name="sailing" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="wolf" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="wolf"/>
     <familiar race="dreamcat"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
@@ -749,7 +749,7 @@
     <skill name="roadwork" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="giantturtle" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="giantturtle"/>
     <familiar race="dolphin"/>
     <familiar race="giantturtle"/>
     <familiar race="dolphin"/>
@@ -774,7 +774,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="lynx" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="lynx"/>
     <familiar race="dreamcat"/>
     <familiar race="lynx"/>
     <familiar race="songdragon"/>
@@ -806,7 +806,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="owl" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="eagle"/>
     <familiar race="songdragon"/>
@@ -834,7 +834,7 @@
     <skill name="perception" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="ghost" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="ghost"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
     <attack type="5"/>
-    <familiar race="imp" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="ghost"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5+3"/>
-    <familiar race="tunnelworm" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="tunnelworm"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="eagle"/>
@@ -918,7 +918,7 @@
     <skill name="cartmaking" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="rat" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="songdragon"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
@@ -1109,7 +1109,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="goblin" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="goblin"/>
     <familiar race="ghost"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
@@ -1135,7 +1135,7 @@
     <skill name="perception" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="lynx" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="lynx"/>
     <familiar race="fairy"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="nymph"/>
@@ -1166,7 +1166,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="tunnelworm" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="tunnelworm"/>
     <familiar race="eagle"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="lynx"/>
@@ -1196,7 +1196,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="goblin" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="goblin"/>
     <familiar race="ghost"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
diff --git a/res/races/aquarian.xml b/res/races/aquarian.xml
index 19fd3aee7..4950d60d1 100644
--- a/res/races/aquarian.xml
+++ b/res/races/aquarian.xml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     <skill name="roadwork" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="giantturtle" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="giantturtle"/>
     <familiar race="dolphin"/>
     <familiar race="giantturtle"/>
     <familiar race="dolphin"/>
diff --git a/res/races/cat.xml b/res/races/cat.xml
index 5986c223c..2e0f73dcf 100644
--- a/res/races/cat.xml
+++ b/res/races/cat.xml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="lynx" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="lynx"/>
     <familiar race="dreamcat"/>
     <familiar race="lynx"/>
     <familiar race="songdragon"/>
diff --git a/res/races/demon.xml b/res/races/demon.xml
index 69d98145f..21a1f289d 100644
--- a/res/races/demon.xml
+++ b/res/races/demon.xml
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ recruitethereal="yes" equipment="yes" healing="1.5">
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
     <attack type="5"/>
-    <familiar race="imp" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="ghost"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
diff --git a/res/races/dwarf.xml b/res/races/dwarf.xml
index 043b76aa7..4f2719649 100644
--- a/res/races/dwarf.xml
+++ b/res/races/dwarf.xml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="tunnelworm" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="tunnelworm"/>
     <familiar race="eagle"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="lynx"/>
diff --git a/res/races/elf.xml b/res/races/elf.xml
index 683ee823b..968ad22f2 100644
--- a/res/races/elf.xml
+++ b/res/races/elf.xml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
     <skill name="perception" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="lynx" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="lynx"/>
     <familiar race="fairy"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="nymph"/>
diff --git a/res/races/goblin-3.xml b/res/races/goblin-3.xml
index 636f8cc29..ad83ee7f0 100644
--- a/res/races/goblin-3.xml
+++ b/res/races/goblin-3.xml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ getitem="yes" equipment="yes" healing="2.0">
   <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
   <skill name="weaponsmithing" modifier="-1"/>
   <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-  <familiar race="rat" default="yes"/>
+  <familiar race="rat"/>
   <familiar race="imp"/>
 </race>
 </races>
diff --git a/res/races/goblin.xml b/res/races/goblin.xml
index 84d2c5079..ec224a0c7 100644
--- a/res/races/goblin.xml
+++ b/res/races/goblin.xml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ healing="2.0">
     <skill name="cartmaking" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="rat" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="songdragon"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
diff --git a/res/races/halfling.xml b/res/races/halfling.xml
index 3628d2b35..5c17e4a4f 100644
--- a/res/races/halfling.xml
+++ b/res/races/halfling.xml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="owl" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="eagle"/>
     <familiar race="songdragon"/>
diff --git a/res/races/human.xml b/res/races/human.xml
index f91ba7daf..00c11f8a6 100644
--- a/res/races/human.xml
+++ b/res/races/human.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     <skill name="sailing" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="wolf" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="wolf"/>
     <familiar race="dreamcat"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
diff --git a/res/races/insect.xml b/res/races/insect.xml
index 75e16f7af..b783f047a 100644
--- a/res/races/insect.xml
+++ b/res/races/insect.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
     <skill name="perception" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="ghost" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="ghost"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="owl"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
diff --git a/res/races/orc.xml b/res/races/orc.xml
index a0033759a..47754152a 100644
--- a/res/races/orc.xml
+++ b/res/races/orc.xml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5"/>
-    <familiar race="goblin" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="goblin"/>
     <familiar race="ghost"/>
     <familiar race="imp"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
diff --git a/res/races/troll.xml b/res/races/troll.xml
index 9168a6d0e..7d3f18551 100644
--- a/res/races/troll.xml
+++ b/res/races/troll.xml
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ healing="1.5">
     <skill name="taxation" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
     <attack type="1" damage="1d5+3"/>
-    <familiar race="tunnelworm" default="yes"/>
+    <familiar race="tunnelworm"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="rat"/>
     <familiar race="eagle"/>
diff --git a/src/xmlreader.c b/src/xmlreader.c
index 7f51a7853..0f7b40b93 100644
--- a/src/xmlreader.c
+++ b/src/xmlreader.c
@@ -1464,13 +1464,7 @@ static int parse_races(xmlDocPtr doc)
                         assert(propValue != NULL);
                         frc = rc_get_or_create((const char *)propValue);
                         frc->flags |= RCF_FAMILIAR;
-                        if (xml_bvalue(node, "default", false)) {
-                            rc->familiars[k] = rc->familiars[0];
-                            rc->familiars[0] = frc;
-                        }
-                        else {
-                            rc->familiars[k] = frc;
-                        }
+                        rc->familiars[k] = frc;
                         xmlFree(propValue);
                     }
                     else {