IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

2 Pages V   1 2 >  
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> RP: Shamanic Mask & Idols, How to be your ideal self.
Arz
post Feb 26 2004, 06:52 PM
Post #1


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 188
Joined: 16-June 03
From: Da Burgh, PA
Member No.: 4,751



The thing I love most about shamans can also be there fatal flaw. The shaman's mask. It gives you the chance to tell your fellow players what your largely intangible magic is doing. Also your enemies get to easily spot the magician.

My problem stems around the idol totems. I believe these originally came from the Germany Sourcebook(which I don't own). All other books mention them as a pure statistical introduction. Idols seem to be more conceptual than the other totems used in SR. Raven shamans always mask themselves in the form of a raven. Adversary shamans could mask themselves as Satan or Che Gueverra.

Anyone have any sources to live by or more concrete examples of how to use these totems? I'm looking more for roleplaying information on how Idol Totems guide there shamans.

For discussion I'll mention my character idea that I'm trying to bring to life as a major NPC:

A male irish rocker whose musical style is reminiscent of the 'Drop Kick Murphys'. He has real weakness for vice and makes sure to try it all twice. The runners are going to be frequently rescuing this party animal. I thought that the totem of Seductress really fit the mold of many musicians who OD'd. They'll try anything for a good time and encourage others to taste the forbidden fruit.

The problem pops up with shamanic mask. What picture do you put on the shaman to really differentiate when he is casting a spell or calling a spirit. Saints just don't fit the mold of such a tempted soul. Ella Fitzgerald just isn't rock-n-roll. Sid Vicious wouldn't even be a memory in 2060. I need to come up with an image/person that really sounded out through time the qualities of this totem. Secondly, it would be nice to give it an irish flavor.

Any help and arguments in defense of your case appreciated.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Nikoli
post Feb 26 2004, 06:55 PM
Post #2


Chicago Survivor
*********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 5,079
Joined: 28-January 04
From: Canton, GA
Member No.: 6,033



Old Elvis.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Arz
post Feb 26 2004, 07:25 PM
Post #3


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 188
Joined: 16-June 03
From: Da Burgh, PA
Member No.: 4,751



QUOTE (Nikoli)
Old Elvis.

I dismissed him as not an extreme enough example of the druggy musician. He seems to have gotten hooked mostly out of boredom.

Another idea I had was Nero, who I dismissed as not being celtic enough.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Nikoli
post Feb 26 2004, 07:26 PM
Post #4


Chicago Survivor
*********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 5,079
Joined: 28-January 04
From: Canton, GA
Member No.: 6,033



Hendrix also comes to mind, as does a troll-sized, friendly purple dragon name of puff.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Fahr
post Feb 26 2004, 07:36 PM
Post #5


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 320
Joined: 13-August 02
From: Austin, Republic of Texas (not CAS)
Member No.: 3,094



any of the rolling stones....

since it is an idealized form, it could be someone from spinal tap.

-Mike R.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Drain Brain
post Feb 26 2004, 07:41 PM
Post #6


The Sewer Jockey
**

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 857
Joined: 26-February 02
From: Kent, United Kingdom
Member No.: 1,197



Why think in celebrity terms?

What happens to someone under the effect of drugs? I mean really...

Bloodshot eyes with dark, dark bags underneath, pale clammy skin, profuse sweating. The shaman's face can remain essentially the same, but with characteristics of the totem's aspect becoming more and more pronounced the stronger the shaman's magic is...
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Nikoli
post Feb 26 2004, 07:46 PM
Post #7


Chicago Survivor
*********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 5,079
Joined: 28-January 04
From: Canton, GA
Member No.: 6,033



Or they could look like a giant walking piece of drug paraphenalia (saw a holloween costume like this once, dude almost always wins the atlanta club scene holloween costume contests)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Bölverk
post Feb 27 2004, 12:01 AM
Post #8


Target
*

Group: Members
Posts: 84
Joined: 15-April 03
From: My own personal purgatory
Member No.: 4,453



QUOTE (Nikoli)
Old Elvis.

I really want to see rules for idolists of the King... :)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Grey
post Feb 27 2004, 12:05 AM
Post #9


Runner
******

Group: Members
Posts: 3,035
Joined: 26-February 02
From: Anahiem, CA
Member No.: 100



I have Lover and Seductress Shamans start to look even more sexy and desirable than they normally her while working with magic.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
FlakJacket
post Feb 27 2004, 12:38 AM
Post #10


King of the Hobos
*****

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 2,117
Joined: 26-February 02
Member No.: 127



The First Church of Elvis! Courtesy of Bull. :)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Siege
post Feb 27 2004, 12:47 AM
Post #11


Dragon
********

Group: Members
Posts: 4,065
Joined: 16-January 03
From: Fayetteville, NC
Member No.: 3,916



I'd go with a vague figure in the trappings of some aspect important to the character. A male or even female form, in Celtic adornments manifest about the musician in your example.

Lust: Attractive features and a "come hither" look
Adversary: Militant, hard-nosed or crafty and calculating

I'd even go so far as to say the Idol's features might change per person viewing so that each sees what inspires the Idol's particular emotive content.

A troll watching the rocker with the lust idol may not see a female troll, but he will captivating aspects that draw his attention for unknown reasons.

-Siege
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Nikoli
post Feb 27 2004, 01:44 AM
Post #12


Chicago Survivor
*********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 5,079
Joined: 28-January 04
From: Canton, GA
Member No.: 6,033



QUOTE
QUOTE (Nikoli)
Old Elvis.


I really want to see rules for idolists of the King... 


There is mention in breif of this concerning shamans in ol' Las Vegas.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kanada Ten
post Feb 27 2004, 02:37 AM
Post #13


Beetle Eater
********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 4,797
Joined: 3-June 02
From: Oblivion City
Member No.: 2,826



Force 1-3 : He seems to glow, as if lit by a spotlight...

Force 3-4 : A fog, lit by the same glow, swirls around him...

Force 5 : The scent of sex reaches your nostrils, the air seems warm...

Force 6 : He reaches his hand towards you, your heart thunders in your ears (or is it his heart?)...

Force 7 : The fever pitched screams of a multitude of fans (or tortured souls) cry out in your ears...

Force 8 : The multitude can be seen groping for him, some offering drink, drugs, or their still beating hearts (some of them really are tortured souls)...

Force 9 : You are one of the multitude, you long to touch him...

Force 10+ : There is only him, and he is lit like the brightest star in heaven...

Gods include Dionysus, Jim Morrison, and Ville Valo.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
simonw2000
post Feb 27 2004, 08:17 AM
Post #14


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 402
Joined: 23-April 03
From: London, UK
Member No.: 4,491



What about the Dragonslayer Idol? What would that shamanic mask look like?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kagetenshi
post Feb 27 2004, 09:39 AM
Post #15


Manus Celer Dei
**********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 17,008
Joined: 30-December 02
From: Boston
Member No.: 3,802



Armor, sword, possibly even a slain lizard of some variety on the ground at really high Force.

~J
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Siege
post Feb 27 2004, 09:45 AM
Post #16


Dragon
********

Group: Members
Posts: 4,065
Joined: 16-January 03
From: Fayetteville, NC
Member No.: 3,916



QUOTE (Kagetenshi)
Armor, sword, possibly even a slain lizard of some variety on the ground at really high Force.

~J

A Drake of some sort dying dramatically in the background.

The bigger the spell, the more theatrical the Drake's expiration. :grinbig:

-Siege
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
simonw2000
post Feb 27 2004, 09:46 AM
Post #17


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 402
Joined: 23-April 03
From: London, UK
Member No.: 4,491



I was also thinking about a Dragonslayer shaman, whose mask makes him look like the biggest, most dangerous Arnie Awesome that you've ever seen!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Siege
post Feb 27 2004, 09:48 AM
Post #18


Dragon
********

Group: Members
Posts: 4,065
Joined: 16-January 03
From: Fayetteville, NC
Member No.: 3,916



QUOTE (simonw2000)
I was also thinking about a Dragonslayer shaman, whose mask makes him look like the biggest, most dangerous Arnie Awesome that you've ever seen!

Dude, the Shamanic Mask would be:

Dirk the Daring from Dragon's Lair!

-Siege
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kagetenshi
post Feb 27 2004, 10:04 AM
Post #19


Manus Celer Dei
**********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 17,008
Joined: 30-December 02
From: Boston
Member No.: 3,802



It would be a roaring bonfire.

Points to anyone who gets the reference.

~J
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
simonw2000
post Feb 27 2004, 10:25 AM
Post #20


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 402
Joined: 23-April 03
From: London, UK
Member No.: 4,491



Dragonheart? "I hope you like it well done" :D
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kagetenshi
post Feb 27 2004, 10:50 AM
Post #21


Manus Celer Dei
**********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 17,008
Joined: 30-December 02
From: Boston
Member No.: 3,802



Nope. Hint: really old LucasArts.

~J
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
GunnerJ
post Feb 27 2004, 04:17 PM
Post #22


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 669
Joined: 25-May 03
Member No.: 4,634



I usually manifest an Idol's mask as a symbol relevent to the idol in question. It appears above the magician's head while a magical activity is occuring, its brightness and complexisty increasing with the force of the spell/spirit. The effect is similar to rune use in the Suikoden games. Examples:

Dragonslayer: an armored knight thrusting a lance into a draconic beast.
Fire-Bringer: a toga-clad man with a torch in one hand.
Moon Maiden: a crecent moon shape with a woman in a loose dress sitting in its curve like a chair.

Intestingly, one of my hermetic magician players demanded that hermetics have an equivalent to the shamanic mask on the grounds that it "looks cool." I ruled that hermetics have intricate patterns appear on the ground beneath their feet like tiny hermetic circles. The size is larger at higher forces, and the color depends on the spell being cast (comabt = red, illusion = blue, etc.)

Magic is fairly more common in our games than SR standard canon, so the "geek the mage" principal is a little less severe: most NPC crews the runners go up against have mages of their own. (Also, we tend to forget little details like this and their impact in actual games... too caught up in the moment...)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Arz
post Feb 27 2004, 05:01 PM
Post #23


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 188
Joined: 16-June 03
From: Da Burgh, PA
Member No.: 4,751



QUOTE (GunnerJ)


Intestingly, one of my hermetic magician players demanded that hermetics have an equivalent to the shamanic mask on the grounds that it "looks cool." I ruled that hermetics have intricate patterns appear on the ground beneath their feet like tiny hermetic circles. The size is larger at higher forces, and the color depends on the spell being cast (comabt = red, illusion = blue, etc.)

Magic is fairly more common in our games than SR standard canon, so the "geek the mage" principal is a little less severe: most NPC crews the runners go up against have mages of their own. (Also, we tend to forget little details like this and their impact in actual games... too caught up in the moment...)

All of your example masks were quite clever.

I agree with your hermetic.

As for the problems of the shamanic mask.... I usually give them the hardest time when they are trying to be discreet and yet casting there highest powered magic. All other situations are more of a case by case basis.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Siege
post Feb 27 2004, 05:09 PM
Post #24


Dragon
********

Group: Members
Posts: 4,065
Joined: 16-January 03
From: Fayetteville, NC
Member No.: 3,916



I'm all for hermetics having special magical effects -- whether it's gesturing, chanting in a language, magic circles and patterns (very cool, by the way) or the air gets colder, the wind blows, thunder crashes and horses whinny, whatever.

But in order to do so, I'd have to rule the Hermetic is now just as potentially noticeable as the Shaman with his mask.

I know about the "detecting magic" rule, but I can't apply it to Hermetics without some sort of cue. It just doesn't make sense otherwise.

Which can be hell on the players, but still.

-Siege
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Herald of Verjig...
post Feb 27 2004, 05:33 PM
Post #25


Runner
******

Group: Members
Posts: 3,066
Joined: 5-February 03
Member No.: 4,017



QUOTE (Kagetenshi)
It would be a roaring bonfire.

Only as long as you know the patterns to put the dragon to sleep and turn the horde into stray.
[ Spoiler ]
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

2 Pages V   1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic

 



RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 17th February 2025 - 11:12 PM

Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.