Lore, History and description
This Totem possesses potent magic and commands certain respect within the Minotaurian Trible culture, as well as followers of Mortaebius who are not uncommon to the Spirit world and its perils.
Using this item and accessing its powers requires training which can only be given by an experienced Shaman, which may last several months. From the moment the training starts, the user of the Totem most commit to a daily routine of rituals and journey through the spirit world, until a high level of understanding is reached and a suitable Spirit Guide has been found.
Once the training has been completed, the totem spirit is bound to the owner of the totem and provides access to the unique powers of the totem as long as the daily rituals and requirements (similar to requirements for spell preparation) are observed. The relation with the Spirit Guide must also be nurtured and may require the owner of the totem to perform certain tasks or specific quests, in order to appease his companion spirit or further its own agenda.
Through this page the term totem is used, the totem however is not just a single item but instead involves several items and tools, which may have different uses in the rituals surrounding the Totems magic. These are:
- a set of bones and (gem)stones on which ancient runes are carved
- a small horn made from bone or ivory (gives no sounds when blown)
- a small bone chest, inlaid with obsidian and a peculiar magical lock
- an obsidian dagger with a hand-carved bone hilt
- a grafted bone wand with a skull of a small animal and feathers
- a bone amulet befitted with a central gemstone (particular to the Spirit Guide)
- a personal, bound Spirit Guide (Jinn??)
The actual totems is best described as a metaphysical construct, consisting of an arrangement between the Spirit Guide and the owner of the Totem, which calls upon the use of specific items and rituals to maintain the connection.
As an acquisition plot, I would very much like to find a suitable trainer and perform tasks and rituals to learn to master this item. Not in the least of which I would like to embark on a vision quest, to find a suitable spirit guide to be bound to.
I'd also like to explore the (cultural) heritage of the Minotaurs and other nomadic tribes on Ilfrean a bit more.
Powers
Crossover:
After performing the rituals according to the shamanistic tradition, the owner of the Totem can travel to Spirit World and interact with the spirits on their plane of existence. While the owner's consciousness travels the realm of Spirits, its body appears to be in a deep state of trance, unaware of its immediate surroundings.
Ritualistic Focus:
As shamanism is an important part of tribal tradition and it recognizes the existence of ancient sources of power and magic, far older much more powerful than the current forms known. effect TBD
Ancestral call (Ex) 1/day:
effect TBD