From:	Geoff Skellams geoff.skellams@*********.com.au
Subject:	Totems vs Dragons
Date:	Tue, 6 Jul 1999 15:17:21 +1000

On shadowrn@*********.org, Kismet[SMTP:kismet_sr@*****.com] wrote:

I might be a bit late on this topic, I've been skim reading a lot of RN
stuff lately.

> Which is more powerful a totem or a dragon? In a fight
> who would win?

It would never happen. Totems are not physical beings. A totem
is the ESSENCE of the animal/creature/whatever, not a physical entity.
The relationship a shaman has with the totem is one where the shaman
learns new skills or gains their powers by looking at the world the same
way the totem does. The more aligned the shaman is with the essence of
their totem animal, the more powerful they are going to be.
This is why a totem chooses the shaman and not the other way
around. A totem would choose a candidate based on the way that candidate
looks at the world. If the candidate shaman looks at the world the same
way a cat would, then Cat is likely to choose him. If another candidate
has the same outlook as say an alligator, then Gator might choose her.
A totem is NOT the equivalent of a god. A shaman is not the SR
equivalent of an AD&D cleric.

> If a shaman died would his totem avenge him?

No. Not a hope in hell.

cheers
G

--
Geoff Skellams R&D - Tower Software
Email Address: geoff.skellams@*********.com.au
Homepage: http://www.towersoft.com.au/staff/geoff/
ICQ Number: 2815165

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