Steve Schrader's Blog

Environment:
FOREST

Advantages:

* +4d FOREST spirits
* +2d MANIPULATION spells

Character:
Squirrel shamans are always picking things up. It’s not so much that they’re kleptomaniacs, nor are they consciously storing things for later use. It’s just a very strong urge– Squirrel doesn’t believe in “useless” things. Everything can be extended into other purposes. But not everything Squirrel does is random– Squirrel is always thinking about the future, and what may be coming up. She is always storing things up, and taking steps to ensure that change will not take her by surprise.

Disadvantages:
Squirrel is just a bit paranoid. Also, Squirrel shamans DO have unconscious kleptomaniac tendencies in many (but not all) cases. Squirrel shamans are always fretting over something– did they leave the lights on in the house? Should I do this or that? Is that person danger-ous? If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Also, Squirrel shamans tend to live in really abysmally messy homes– they collect all this stuff and then they utterly fail to organize it in any way. Woe be to any marriage between a Mouse and a Squirrel! (It happens. A lot.)

Environment:
ANYWHERE ON LAND (RURAL or URBAN)

Advantages:

* +1d all LAND spirits or all SPIRITS OF MAN
* +2d COMBAT spells

Character:
Spider is manipulative, deceptive, and lethal. However, she is also among the most creative of forces as well. She weaves a web that is both beautiful and deadly. Spider shamans are very patient, willing to wait as long as needed for success. They will go to great lengths, and use elaborate plots, to get their way. Most Spider shamans put energy into some kind of creative skill, which often ends up their Centering tool as well. Spider is not truly an insect, but she can be bad news as a totem.

Disadvantages:
Spider, like the insect totems, will seek to eventually subvert the shaman’s body, turning him into a Flesh Form spider creature. Many legends hold that Spider is not from this world, but instead came from the stars untold millenia ago, bringing the written word and other cultural devlopments to man. Handle this totem with care! Spider has no sense of humor most of the time, and is easily angered.

Environment:
ANYWHERE except MOUNTAINS

Advantages:

* +2d HEALTH, ILLUSION, and DETECTION spells

Character:
Snake is a wise healer who dwells in many places and knows many secrets. Snake is a good councilor, but exacts a price for her ad-vice. Snake is adaptable, and can confuse the senses of enemies.

Disadvantages:
Snake doesn’t fight unless she must defend herself or hunt to eat. Snake shamans lose 1 die from ANY spells cast during combat. Snake shamans are obsessed with learning secrets and will take enormous risks to do so.

Environment:
FOREST

Advantages:

* +2d FOREST spirits
* +2d ILLUSION and MANIPULATION spells

Character:
Skunk shamans do not believe in threatening another’s life; they far prefer to threaten others’ senses. They are fairly nonchalant about life most of the time, and (believe it or not) most are fairly charismatic.

Disadvantages:
Skunk shamans often use their charisma to emotionally harm others; they have a knack for knowing just what will crush you utterly. Also, they are very concerned about reputation, and about the way others think of them. This often drives them into situations that reason says would have been better avoided. They lose 1 die from Combat spells.

Environment:
PRAIRIES and FIELDS

Advantages:

* +2d PRAIRIE and FIELD spirits
* +2d DETECTION spells

Character:
Sheep is an excellent follower, but rarely a trailbreaker or leader. She prefers the status quo, always, and dislikes sudden or radical change. Sheep shamans are very vocal about things that bother them, but rarely follow their words with action unless someone else is taking the lead first.

Disadvantages:
Sheep shamans often end up being gun-fodder during runs, because they have a hard time saying “NO”. Their vocalization about prob-lems and concerns often runs into the realm of incessant whining. They have very little motivation or initiative. They lose 1 die from Combat spells. They’re very definitely not a great choice for PCs.