Proxies
Proxies are a class of Divine Vassal. Proxies are the "mundane" populace of a divine realm who are not formed from the souls of the faithful departed but, instead, by the will of the divine power that rules that realm.
Proxies are often sent to the Prime Material Plane to act as agents for the Divine Power in question. They may appear to be of any race or, indeed, any animal. Like imps and quasits they are highly resistant to magic and if killed upon the Prime Material Plane will simply reform on their home plane.
Most Proxies keep a low profile, watching the world as it goes by or by gently 'nudging' certain chosen worshippers along a certain path that the Divine Power wishes them to follow.
Familiars and Proxies
All 'familiars' are, technically, Proxies. However, not all Proxies are familiars. A Proxy that is given the purpose of being a servant to a mortal by their Deity becomes a 'familiar' at that point.