Totems
Totems
Here is a short list of some of the lesser known totems, and totems created by others. Any of these totems may be used by characters in my campaign unless (NPC) is written by the totem name. Right now my list is uncomplete, submissions of new totems are more than welcome. I will be adding more totems as time progresses. Please send any submissions to the.edge@russia.com.
Normal
These shamans are by far the most abundent. The rules for using these totems may be found in the SR1, SR2, SR3, Griomiore, and Awakenings sourcebooks.
Vampire Bat
The Vampire Bat has long been victim of myths about spreading Vampirism, death, and disease, although most of the myths have been unfounded. The vampirebat normally feeds off of the victims withough causing harm, and the victim normally does not go through any pain. They are excellent night hunters with an accute sense of smell.
Favored Enviorment: Caves, Night
Advantages: High Frequency Hearing, +1 Dice for Healing, Treat Total Darkness as Dim Light
Disadvantages: Bloodlust - Must make a Willpower (T#4) test to resist drinking blood when it is seen. Double modifier for extremely bright lights
The Vampire Bat Shaman is normally social around other Shamans, but they tend to try and avoid Mages, and Mundanes. They are not very fond of technology, and will avoid fights if they can.
Source: Edge
Paranormal
Paranotmal totems are very rare, and even if there are multiple followers of paranormal totems in one city, they are rarely of the same totem.
Shadow Skaven
The Shadow Skaven is a very rare creature. It's origins are unknown, but many believe they were brought out of the Metaplanes by Blood Mages. They are quite fast, and deadly, and their true form is unknown.
Favored Enviorment: Any Dark Area
Advantages: +1 dice Illusion Spells, +2 dice Combat Spells
DisAdvantages
: +1 Target# on all tests when in direct light (GM's Discretion), -1 dice for Health spells
The Shadow Skavan Shaman keeps to himself, even around other Shadow Skaven. They tend to be more active during the night hours, and usually have an allergy to sunlight.
Source: Edge
Vampire
The Vampire is a creature of the night, feeding off of the life forces of others in order to survive. While not all are cold blooded killers, they tend to not care for others who are not of their kind. They have supurb strength, and heal very quickly making them deadly enemies.
Favored Enviorment: Urban
Advantages: +2 dice for health, manipulation, and combat spells
Disadvantages: +1 Target# on all tests during daylight hours, -1 die when conjuring any spirits, must have at least a strength of 5 at character creation, must make a willpower test (2 + Vampire's essence) to resist any command given by a vampire
The Vampire Shaman is rare, and is very deadly. They tend to worship their totem as a god more than most other Shamans. Also, unlike with most Shamanic ways, Vampire Shamans can physically communicate with their totems. They tend to live in the extremes of living condition, normally living at either street, squatter, high or luxury life-style.
Source: Edge
Druidic
Druids follow the druidic ways. They usually come from western Europe.
Insect
There are Shamanic totems to be followed by Insect Shamans. Rules for insect shamans may be found in the SR3, Grimiore, and Awakenings, source books
Preying Mantis
The preying mantis is often overlooked by others. They are very well adapted at comaflage, very strong, and deadly if taken lightly. They are larger them most other insects in it's habitat. They do not depend on a stinger, venom, or speed for defense, rather they use their "claws" as weapons. The female of the species is dominent, while the males are used to mate with and then they are devoured alive for nurishment during the pregnancy of the female.
Favored Enviorment: Forest
Advantages: +2 dice for illusion spells, +1 die for combat spells
Disadvantages: -1 Die for manipulation spells, +1 target modifier on all tests if in the air, or on sea. +2 modifier if a male shaman is trying to conjur or control a female Preying
Mantis Spirit
The Preying Mantis Shaman is almost always a woman. They normally use males to get what they want, and then dispose of them. More often than not, by getting a Preying Mantis spirit to take control of the male she wants something from.
Source: Edge
Scorpion
The scorpion is a fierce and normally lethal totem. She is a loner, and likes working individually. She is at home almost anywhere, but preferes hot, dry places where her victims are exhausted. She watches for her opponent's weak spots, and then strikes unmercifully until either her opponent is dead, or she can no longer fight.
Favored Enviorment: Desert
Advantages: +2 to combat spells, +2 for malipulation spells
Disadvantages: -1 to Health spells, -2 for Illusion spells, -1 for conjuring spirits of the waters
Scorpion shamans are fierce, short tempered fighters both physically and magically. They tend to be loners and form alliances only to stab their partner(s) in the back.
Source: Psykotika
Spider(NPC)
Favored Enviorment: Quiet, dark places where few seldom look
Advantages: +2 dice for illusion spells, +1 die for conjuring sells
Disadvantages: +2 target modifier for magic tests made in open areas, +1 target modifier when shamen does not have time to concider a situation (GM's discretion)
Source: Bug City
Other
These totems do not fall under any catagory that I can find. If you know which one they should fall under, please email me.
Dragon Slayer
Favored Enviorment: Any dry land
Advantages: +3 dice for combat spells, +1 die when conjuring hearth spirits
Disadvantages: -2 dice when resisting combat spells, -1 die when resisting illusion spells
Source: Germany Source Book
Please email any questions, comments, or submissions for this page to The.Edge@russia.com.
