Totems ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ant Eater David J. Altman (izzyux2@mvs.oac.ucla.edu) Characteristics: Ant Eater, or Snout Tongue, is the great ravager of the insect world. He is also one of the most purposeful totems of the Sixth World. He is naturally inquisitive, and can often sniff out trouble, or those in trouble, with little difficulty. Environment: Any Land Advantages +2 Dice to Detection spells +2 Dice to Manipulation spells +2 Dice to Conjuring Spirits of Land (not desert) Disadvantages: Ant Eater is often slow to thinking and often times very stubborn. A Shaman of this totem requires a willpower test with a target of 4 to break off from his current action, be it attacking reading a book, swimming, etc. It is an unresisted test however, making it a little more "merciful" on the Shaman in question. He also is always looking for a meal, and will VERY rarely turn down an offer to eat of any kind (same willpower test above to avoid or turn down the offer). [GM's Note- Ant Eater has an additional set of advantages as well. He is a MAJOR opponent of Insect Spirits of all kinds. He gains an additional +1 modifier to his die rolls in ALL actions against any insect form, as well as against Spider and her related machinations. This includes resistance tests against ALL attacks, as well as ALL attacks made against an "insect form." This number however is NOT cumulative with the effects of Initiate Grade.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dingo The Wyrm Ouroboros (aalberdk@UCUNIX.SAN.UC.EDU) Characteristics: Dingo is the one of the great plains wanderers. He is similar to the western worlds "coyote" in many ways, though he is not as transient in his nature. Dingo is protective of his own, and will defend his kin, but not necessarily to the point of death. He also is not bound to anything, except perhaps his word. Environment: Plains and/or Prairie Advantages: +2 Dice to Detection Spells +2 Dice to Health Spells. +2 Dice for Conjuring Prairie Spirits. Disadvantages: Dingo is often considered to be a coward by others around him. If given the opportunity, he will opt for retreat, so as to deal with the situation from a better vantage point. He is not a coward in the true sense of the word, but is often misunderstood by others. A Dingo Shaman must make a willpower test with a target of 4 to remain in a given position/situation, or else he pull back to get a potentially better advantage. Dingo is also easily tricked and/or manipulated by others. He suffers a -2 to all his negotiation attempts, IF the other party is attempting to "pull the wool" over him. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dove Ethan Court (jek5313@zeus.tamu.edu) Characteristics: Dove is thin and austere. She is flighty; quick in motion and in thought. She seems naive and inexperienced, often jumping to conclusions and believing in people's better natures. She avoids combat actively, and is primarily a healing totem. She is fastidious in dress, though often wearing simple and functional clothing. The Dove totem is the totem of those who practice the healing traditions of the ancient Christian sects, and in fact is one of very few totems to be openly espoused by the Catholic Church. Dove is a healer. It is her prime motivation and reason for being. She will refuse healing to none, oftentimes healing even her enemies. Environment: Urban Advantages: +2 dice Healing Semi-empathy +2 dice for conjuring any Spirit of Man. Disadvantages: -1 die for casting any non-stun spell. A Dove shaman cannot refuse healing to anyone who requests it. A Dove shaman will not tolerate evil or noble actions. Dove shamans posses, almost as a side effect of their "choice" of totem, an heightened awareness of others' feelings. This does not allow them to read minds or to broadcast/receive others' emotions in any real sense, it instead allows the Dove shaman an infallible sense of when someone is in pain, even being capable of use as a locator. This form of empathy allows the Dove shaman to avoid physically damaging someone, as to do so is almost as painful to the Dove shaman as it is to the victim. The Dove shaman must use Willpower to resist a deadly stun with a Target Number of 4 if she witnesses a death due to violence. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koala The Wyrm Ouroboros (aalberdk@UCUNIX.SAN.UC.EDU) Characteristics: Koala is not a fighter, though she is quite capable of defending herself and her kin. Her affinity for nature has allowed her to remain in touch with the natural balance of life, and indeed is the most powerful of the known Totemic Healers. If cornered, she will retreat to the safety of the trees, and remain there until the danger has passed. Environment: Any Land Advantages: +3 Dice to all Health Spells +1 to all Health spell die rolls +2 Dice to Conjuring Spirits of Sky and Waters. Disadvantages: Koala is not a fighter. A Shaman of this totem will often try and find peaceable solutions to any situation. They also abhor violence in any form, thus ALL combat related actions suffer a -3 penalty to the die roll (firearms, gunnery, armed or unarmed combat, spells, etc.). This penalty is NOT incurred when defending themselves or another being. In fact, if defending another or themselves, they get a +1 to all their die rolls (mundane or not). [GM's Note- An Initiate of the Koala Totem has all the numbers for his/her advantages modified by grade. Thus, a grade 4 Koala Shaman would have +7 dice to all Health spells, and a +5 to all health spell die rolls. Their defense ability however is not modified, so no the Grade 4 does not get to add +5 to all their defense die rolls.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Panther Daniel Waisley BACKGROUND: "The puma is prominent in American Indian mythology, with its cunning, agility, and strength respected and admired by many tribes. The animal figures in the magic and shamanism of nearly all ancients as their progenitor, protector, or as a source of power to ward of disease or to excel as a hunter. Others are awed by the animal and consider it an omen of disaster." The PUMA, Legendary Lion of the Americas - Jim Bob Tinsley As to Indian myth, from which most of the Shadowrun totems are taken from, Panther is feared and respected, and in some He is regarded as the Protector of the universe. The Zuni believed that the ancient ones wanted the world to be guarded by those keen of sight and scent. The puma (the greatest of them) was the sentinel of the north (the most important position). The Miwoks believed him to be the ideal hunter, while the Apaches and Hualapais thought her wailing was the omen of death. In Navajo myth a hero was wounded by witch objects shot into his body. Puma extracted them and saved his life. They also thought that the Puma benefited them by leaving the better part of the portion of its kill for the people to eat. Conversely the Papago and the later white settlers considered the cougar a flesh eating beast. The Inca hunted many animals in great round-ups where they would hunt the hunter. They found it much easier to catch bear and deer in the rounds-ups then panthers. To many Indian societies it was both a Totem and a source of help for hunting and warfare. In fact the Hopi and Zuni took carved mountain lions when hunting deer in hopes that they would be as good at it as the mountain lion was. In many cultures the puma was often deified for its ability to hunt. The panther is the largest lone carnivore in North America. It is known for its strength and speed. In fact, a Panther will often beat the larger Jaguar in battle. Of all the great cats the panther is the one to hunt the most out of proportion to its size. The tiger and jaguar my hunt large animals, but they only hunt prey up to about 2-3 times their size. The panther on the other hand is known to hunt animals up to 3-4 times its, giving precedence to the fact that it is one of the most dangerous of hunters. Panthers are also very quite hunters and make little noise when hunting. Panthers are noted to purr and scream (best description) much like a tabby but 10 times as big and loud. Panthers also have round not slitted eyes. They tend to rely on eyesight for hunting, but have acute hearing and smell. Totem Identification: Panther, Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma, Catamount and assorted other English and Indian names (the America's) Characteristics: Panther goes by many names and faces; to some He is Panther, to others She is Puma and some know It as Mountain Lion. Panther likes it this way, for Panther believes in stealth. His prey never hears him before he strikes. Puma is a great warrior, but prefers the stealthy approach, for it does not do to go off half cocked. Cougar is very patient and quite, he will wait for the right moment to strike. Panther tends to try and protect mankind and innocents from harm. Puma is mostly solitary but will sometimes have close companions who she will defend to the death. Cougar kills quickly and will use the most efficient means to do so. He also tries to leave little evidence of his acts. Mountain Lion hates Evil and will try to hunt it down and slay it. Environment: Forest and Mountain Advantages: +2 dice for combat and illusion +2 dice for summoning either forest or mountain spirits (choose). Disadvantages: minimum quickness and intelligence of 4, Puma believes in attacking prey intelligently and quickly. Panther also believes that her shamans should be able to hunt and kill without magic (the need to take stealth and either unarmed or armed combat as skills). When in the midst of a large combat the shaman must make a willpower test tn# 5 to stop fighting as his instincts tell him to keep on lashing out. Quirks: Puma is not a coward, he will attack powerful enemies if need be, but will try to shift the odds in his favor and will wait for the right moment and not charge right in. Panther shamans are know to be quiet individuals, and will not get into needless arguments or conversations. Cougar shamans are also known for using the bare minimum of words or gestures when doing magic, they do not like to be noticed. The shaman will use the name he or she feels most comfortable with in talking about his totem, for the shaman realizes that they all describe the totem equally well. Note: the use of all the different names and he/she throughout the text was intentional. After all its like Orou said - 'Panther believes in smoke and mirrors.' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Possum Chris Ryan Characteristics: Possum is curious, friendly and a collector by nature. She is one who prefers the night, avoiding the fierce light of day. Possum fights only when necessary, and tries to do it on her terms. Favored Environment: Any urban environment with trees or in the wilderness. Advantages: +1 dice for all Health spells +2 dice for all Manipulation spells +2 dice for any conjuring by night. (If your campaign includes spells for Low Light and Thermo vision, then possum shamans receive an extra +2 dice for these spells.) Disadvantages: A Possum shaman must eat unprocessed food only and suffers a +1 to target numbers involving any actions requiring vision in bright light, including daylight. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tiger David J. Altman Characteristics: Tiger is a stealthy hunter and prowler. She is a loner who is both ferocious and cunning. She is sleek and beautiful, especially when making her kill. Tiger often exudes a kind of deadly charisma. Subtlety is how she prefers to deal with her enemies, but she will face challenges directly if she has to. She is a cold and ruthless huntress who will not stop until her prey is caught. Preferred Environment: Jungle Advantages: +2 Dice for Combat spells +2 Dice for Detection spells Disadvantages: Tiger is often unpredictable, she will sometimes be brutally direct, other times excruciatingly subtle. One constant is her loathing of leaving survivors of a kill. Tiger can be cold and cruel to the point of alienating her comrades. Her charisma and appeal can cause problems within and without the party. Tiger shamans must make a Willpower Test during and immediately after combat to avoid a frenzy in which they try to get to, and kill, any surviving opponents, or if all opponents are dead (and the Tiger shaman has failed the test) they may turn on friends. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wild Dog The Wyrm Ouroboros Characteristics: The comparison to the western world's Wolf totem has been made repeatedly in the past. Wild Dog is a very pack oriented creature, and will usually operate within a pack like environment. Do not underestimate him however, for he is capable of independence if left to himself. Environment: Any Land, not inhabited by Man Advantages: +2 Dice to Combat Spells +2 Dice to Detection Spells +2 Dice to Conjuring Spirits of Land (not Desert). Disadvantages: A Shaman of Wild Dog will prefer to work in a group environment, and in fact gains a "moral boost" when doing so. All his spellcraft (Conjuring, Sorcery, and Theory) gains a +1 to the die roll in question (5's are 6's, etc.) However, if left to himself, he often flounders somewhat, thus lowering his moral standing with himself (lower ALL target numbers, mundane or not, by 1).