From:	Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject:	Re: Interesting Idea
Date:	Thu, 14 Sep 1995 12:11:07 +0930

S.F. Eley wrote:
>
> Georg Greve writes:
>
> > Huh ??? Why should Snake do this ??? You have to SEEK the totems to
> > get the chance to follow them. So if he hasn't TRIED to contact the
> > totem they would NEVER talk to him. If he is afraid of snakes, Snake
> > would NEVER even consider him to follow her path. A totem and the
> > character follow a similar way and have similar attitudes toward most
> > things, that's why the totems choses you: you think and behave like it
> > does.
>
> Others have already responded to this point very effectively, and in my
> opinion they're right. I have always played totem/shaman relationships as
> if the totem is the one reaching out. The totem acts as symbol, guide, and
> patron to the shaman -- the shaman has two choices, to follow the call or
> not to follow the call. I think Snake's offense in this case is a little
> strong, BUT it makes for a very nice story and I like it. Totems don't
> have to be nice.

They can also keep hassling you until you follow the call. And one's
personal perceptions of the totem animal wouldn't necessarily matter to the
totem. Just because you don't like snakes, doesn't mean you wouldn't be
able to follow the path of Snake.

--
Robert Watkins bob@**.ntu.edu.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.
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