| From: | Hobbes Patrol Headquarters <TYGER@****.WINONA.MSUS.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Forgive me if this has been posted already... |
| Date: | Tue, 12 Oct 1993 22:55:12 -0500 |
has already been here, sorry. Things have gone from bat to verse in the
last 3 weeks. Bear with me gang, the darkess before the dawn is imminent.
*****
Well, you probably can tell I'm back. (Short trip, neh?) But I weaseled
my way back on the Vax, and back into my account, for now. Sorry for the
inconvinence, now, about this Cougar Shaman thingie...
>The term Panther can either be used for the leopard (in certain parts of Asia)
>or Concolour (in certain parts of north America). I decided that I was going to
>use Concolour because it was the more impressive animal (to me) and was native
>to North America.
(Someone did their homework...)
>Now Concolour goes by many names, just a few are - Mountain
>Lion, Cougar, Puma and Panther (in fact the Panther has more names in the
>dictionary then any other predator). They all are used for Concolour, and
>greatly add to the confusion over it.
It's actually regional to an extent. Cougars are spotted in the rockies,
Panthers in the everglades, Mountain Lions in northerner states, and Pumas
are on a lot of football fields (HUMOR!). But it's basically the same
aminal.
>One thing that did startle me was the lack of information on the Black Panther.
You expect elsewise for an endangered species?
>It is my favorite animal and is what I based my original Panther on, the black
>Panthers that I thought existed in Florida. What I did find out was that there
>are a whole heck of a LOT of misinformation on Panthers.
Again, it's one theory-of-the-day VS another.
>As to Indian myth, which most of the totems are taken from, Panther is feared
>and respected. Some believed that the panther would leave uneaten prey behind
>for them to scavenge. The Apaches associated the Panthers with death. Some
>Indians used dried Panther paws to drive away sickness and evil spirits. The
>Incan's also used the panther to punish criminals.
When you say 'Indian', do you refer to the Central American Indian or the
Northern American Indian? The Myans had a GOOD REASON to fear the Panther,
it could be that they live a stones throw away from the jungle. There are
several paintings of the Priests wearing Leopard Skins as ceremonial garb,
so the 'magic' content of the animal is high.
>In fact - a Panther will often beat the larger Jaguar in battle.
An occurance that, for the better of all parties, dosn't happen to often.
>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 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 - ie. what you see in the movies
>is drek.
Mechanically speaking, could this be a disadvantage? Something along the
lines of 'will take on improbable odds'?
>Panthers are noted to Purr and scream (best description) much like a tabby but
>10 times as big and loud.
Ok, from what I've heard the 'scream' of a Panther (Cougar, whatever) is
somewhat like a woman screaming in terror. I wouldn't know, I havn't heard
it. But I've heard it's enough to keep you awake at night...
(The mechanics...)
>Totem Identification: - Panther, Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma, Catamount and
>assorted other English and Indian names (the America's)
>Panther likes it this way, for Panther believes in stealth.
>His prey never hears him before he strikes.
Hmm, kinda like 'Tiger'?
>Cougar is very patient and quite, he will wait for the right moment to strike.
Usually from a 'pounce', an ambush if you will.
>Puma mostly solitary but will sometimes have close companions who she will
>defend to the death.
Usually her cubs. (But can't "Cubs" be rather enigmatic?)
>Cougar kills quickly and will use the most efficient means to do so.
The faster the fight is over, the better off you are. Then again, ever
tried taking down a buffalo with only your teeth? =)
>He also tries to leave little evidence of his acts.
How do you figure? Again, are you using the "Central American" mythos?
>Advantages: - +2 dice for combat and illusion. +2 dice for summoning Either
>forest Or mountain spirits.
Agreed. (I like it!)
>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 a either
>unarmed or armed combat and stealth as skills).
Hmm, so, going full out, how 'bout a "Shaman Adept" that has mostly skills
(Stealth, UAC, a sword skill of some kind, and, natch, a survival skill?)
>Quirks: - Cougar may feel uncomfortable around Wolf and Dog sometimes, and
>barking makes him nervous. Panther also tends to exhibit some of the
>characteristics of cat.
As in the 'toying with prey' bit? Or as in how?
>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.
I hear a game quote:
St. Sammie "Let's go in now!"
Shaman "Wait, he makes his rounds every fifteen minutes, we wait..."
St. Sammie "Grrrr..."
Shaman snarls, energy crackels...
***
All in all, I like it. It just needs a touch-up here and there, it's all
cosmetic.
>Roar, man<
-Tyger
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"It's not like talking with people. With people, anything can be said and
nothing matters. Words and words and words. You go to a party... people
sit around and say things. Anything. Just to talk. Put forth views and
debate them. Sometimes you get a new idea. Sometimes something changes"
-Luicifer
From "Virtual Realities"
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