PC Totem Guides/Spirits

[David]

Howdy folks,

So, I was looking through the list of PCs and their respective totems and noticed something -- many players seem to be lacking in imagination when it comes to figuring out what animal symbolizes their characters personalities.

A few totems really stood out as OVER USED. These would be Cat (12), Bear (11 if you include polar bears), Lion (10), Dog (10, but different types at least). I'm sure that most of you actually play your characters with more variation in personality and motivation -- which would mean that such characters probably should have different animals symbolizing or capturing their personality. I mean, it's one thing to have two cat PCs each reflecting different aspects of the same animal, but five? And there's NOTHING wrong with a werelord having a totem animal different than his lycanthropy (since they too have unique personalities and aren't all the same). And I'll cop to falling into the same rut, but at least a couple are cuz they're soul-twins and must therefore share a totem...plus with nearly 150 PCs on the list, of COURSE I have a few repeats, especially reflecting my personal biases. But none are a significant fraction...unlike *ahem*...!

We need more variety with totems. It's not just a mechanism for role-play, but also a way for PCs to relate to one another. True, unless a character comes from a totemic culture, s/he has no idea what animal is his/her spirit guide, but there are enough shamaic PCs out there that sooner or later, most characters figure it out. And as I alluded to, I'm going to be adding more spells which make such information more relevant (and important for the DM to have!). So try to carefully choose a totem which somehow reflects your characters personality and sense of self. Check out the following list for ideas: www.geocities.com/buddhabear_sj/gaming/totems.html

You'll know you've got it right if not every character has a hot, butch, killer, or sexy animal -- there should be plenty of turtles, pidgeons, mice, and lizards...

Thanks,
David

[David]

A note on totem animals IN PLAY

ONLY characters from totemic/animistic/shamaic cultures will start knowing what their totem animal is. Other PCs are ignorant of their guides (and quite probably hostile toward the concept!). The concept of spirit guides should be somewhere between superstition, witchcraft, and barbarism to most PCs...!

PCs who are totally ignorant and unbelieving in totem animals gain no benefit or penalty, although no eeps are gained if such an animal is killed.

PCs who are aware of their totem animal (shaman, totemic warriors, plus most animists and barbarians, as well as those who hold such views) gain the BENEFIT of a +5% reaction adjustment with regard to their totem animal BUT suffer the PENALTY of a "negative prayer" if they attack their totem (thereby offending their spirit guide), lasting until the spirit is appeased (usually by a shaman's commune with lesser spirit followed by a lecture, or, in more serious cases, some minor action or quest). Killing one's totem spirit (or being party to the act) always results in some required service or amends as well as LOSS of eeps equal to the animal's worth.

Shaman, animists, totemic warriors, and the like suffer ADDITIONAL penalties for harming their totem animals, although they also enjoy additional benefits (found under each class' listing).