Vegetative Totems, More fun with spirit guides... |
Vegetative Totems, More fun with spirit guides... |
Aug 5 2004, 03:17 PM
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#1
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 749 Joined: 22-June 02 From: Parts Without Member No.: 2,897 |
A recent posting at Fark got me thinking about the dearth of vegetative totems. Sure, there’s Oak, but given the importance of plants in human societies, you would think you would see more plant magic. May I therefore suggest:
Totem: Wheatgrass Benefits: +2 dice to health spells, +1 die to spirits of the land or spirits of man (player’s discretion) Disadvantages: -1 die to illusion spells (once you start talking up the benefits of wheatgrass, nobody is going to believe anything from you). Wheatgrass shamans must also consume at least 2 oz of wheatgrass a day, or (temporarily) lose one point of magic per day. Once magic points have been lost in this manner, consuming wheatgrass regularly will restore a point of magic for every three days of uninterrupted dosing (2 oz). Description: Wheatgrass is a totem symbolizing vitality, health, and a resurgence of life. It also represents man’s incessant desire to better himself through external means and strict regimens. Wheatgrass shamans tend to be healers, hippies, and visionaries, however, some follow a twisted path (wheatgrass is subject to dangerous molds) on corruption of the metahuman body and mind. |
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Aug 5 2004, 03:54 PM
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#2
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Immortal Elf Group: Validating Posts: 7,999 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,890 |
The dietary restriction is silly as is the Magic Loss. I also don't see why they would have any bonus with city, desert, or mountain spirits. Based on your description, the following makes a lot more sense for the totem.
WHEATGRASS Benefits: +2 dice with health spells and +2 dice with field and prairie spirits. Disadvantages: -2 dice with combat spells due to the totem's focus on health and vitality. |
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Aug 5 2004, 03:58 PM
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#3
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,028 Joined: 9-November 02 From: The Republic of Vermont Member No.: 3,581 |
Hmm. I can see a grass shaman, but I wouldn't think of wheatgrass being exactly the type of grass involved...
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Aug 5 2004, 04:02 PM
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#4
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 749 Joined: 22-June 02 From: Parts Without Member No.: 2,897 |
I like the changes. I just wanted something more unique than the typical "-2 dice for combat spells" usually attributed to more passive totems.
My thinking behind the dietary requirement was that a) wheatgrass abusers are sort of like critters and should be treated as such ( : -) ) and b) it might be interesting to see more totems with built-in geas-like behavior (just thinking about Sun and Moon shamans, for example). Maybe the reduction in "effective magic points" should instead be a reduction in "effective essence," to better reflect the feelings of "vitality" and "wholeness" attributed to wheatgrass imbibing. Perhaps "effective essence" (not to be confused with virtual essence) could be lost at a rate of 0.25 per day, and rebuilt at a rate of 0.25 per day upon resuming the wheatgrass enriched lifestyle. By knocking out effective essence (the character won't slip into "cybermancy" at 0 effective essence, he just won't be able to cast spells, being effectively mundane) the magic rating will also take a hit in the desired fashion. I see Wheatgrass as a totem for the effete, wealthy, and wanna-be elven. |
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Aug 5 2004, 04:03 PM
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#5
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 749 Joined: 22-June 02 From: Parts Without Member No.: 2,897 |
Aren't there rastafarian rules? If not, there should be.
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Aug 5 2004, 04:09 PM
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#6
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Immortal Elf Group: Validating Posts: 7,999 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,890 |
If you want to force an odd restriction on them, give them the equivalence of the Sensitive System flaw due to the totem's focus on holistic living. You need/should give them some other advantage to offset that as well, though. Maybe the Holistic Medicine knowledge skill at their starting Magic Rating like a Unicorn Shaman? I dunno.
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Aug 5 2004, 04:17 PM
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#7
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Target Group: Members Posts: 80 Joined: 3-May 04 Member No.: 6,299 |
I'm wating for cannibus shamans. They'd all have have dietary requirement: Cheetos, and have to spend no less than four hours a day just sitting around and playing video games. :D
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Aug 5 2004, 05:40 PM
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#8
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Target Group: Members Posts: 44 Joined: 4-February 03 Member No.: 4,007 |
Just imagine the shock/awe from your players when they find out the big mysterious villane at the end of the six month plot arc is the horrifying toxic poison ivy shaman!
Pel. |
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Aug 5 2004, 06:01 PM
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#9
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,408 Joined: 31-January 04 From: Reston VA, USA Member No.: 6,046 |
I think they briefly discuss Rastafarians in MitS. If I remember correctly, they treat smoking ganja as a centering technique and/or geasa.
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Aug 5 2004, 06:04 PM
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#10
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Immortal Elf Group: Validating Posts: 7,999 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,890 |
Well, rituals in general. The one time I created one I used it as an Expendable Focus for him, too. Even grew his own "Herbal Raw Materials" to make 'em. :)
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Aug 5 2004, 06:22 PM
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#11
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 345 Joined: 10-February 03 From: Leeds, UK Member No.: 4,046 |
Not exactly - it's mentioned as a possibility, but only if the GM and players think that it's important (read: they can handle it with maturity). SR (and nearly every RPG world, for that matter) as a whole is very drug-free, presumably the publishers have to be careful about potentially advocating drug use - especially those that equate to RL drugs (there's no pot, coke, speed etc). Remember there's absolutely nothing wrong with kidnap, murder, theft kids. Just say no to drugs :D As an aside, Plastic Warriors' (excellent) Running Gear supplement DOES have some of the RL drugs in. |
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Aug 5 2004, 06:25 PM
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#12
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,138 Joined: 10-June 03 From: Tennessee Member No.: 4,706 |
You know... if there can be a toaster shaman, I guess you can be a shaman of just about anything. Even grass.
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Aug 5 2004, 07:51 PM
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#13
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 114 Joined: 24-November 02 Member No.: 3,638 |
When I saw this topic title I expected a thread about totems that have gone into comas...
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Aug 5 2004, 08:15 PM
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#14
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Beetle Eater Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 4,797 Joined: 3-June 02 From: Oblivion City Member No.: 2,826 |
Venus Fly Trap is similar to the Siren totem modifiers and description with a bonus to Swamp Spirits instead of whatever it is. Nightshade might fit with Raven, and Chrysanthemum is perhaps Dragonslayer?
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Aug 5 2004, 08:17 PM
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#15
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Immortal Elf Group: Validating Posts: 7,999 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,890 |
I like using Siren for Venus Fly Trap. That's a pretty cool idea.
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Aug 5 2004, 09:04 PM
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#16
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
With regard to wheatgrass: +1 dice to health spells and the Create Food spell, +1 dice to all spells during the harvest season, -1 dice to all spells during winter? Maybe one more disadvantage of some sort, such as -1 to elemental manips or combat spells?
~J |
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Aug 5 2004, 09:41 PM
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#17
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Immortal Elf Group: Members Posts: 11,410 Joined: 1-October 03 From: Pittsburgh Member No.: 5,670 |
vegetable totems i want to see: couch potato, bluegrass.
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Aug 5 2004, 10:23 PM
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#18
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 942 Joined: 13-May 04 Member No.: 6,323 |
Carrot totem: +2 for detection spells (carrots are good for vision, right?) -2 for combat spells (Bunnys like carrots, bunnys don't like to fight, so this follows...)
JaronK |
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Aug 5 2004, 10:49 PM
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#19
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
Also, allowed to learn special martial art: Bun Fu.
~J |
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Aug 5 2004, 11:24 PM
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#20
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 749 Joined: 22-June 02 From: Parts Without Member No.: 2,897 |
(Just a note on the veggie path-- I was listening to a pair of vegans today discussing the difficulty of finding good soy cheese, and the joy of tofu quiche, etc. At some point, it became too much, and I turned to them with a wry smile: "It sounds like you're talking about some distopian future where everything is made out of soy.")
Totem: Habanero Game Effects: +1 die for combat spells, +1 die for elemental manipulation spells. -1 die for detection spells. +1 die for spirits of man. Habanero shamans may go berserk in combat in a similar fashion to Shark, Bear, Gator, (whatever) shamans. Description: Habanero claims to be the spiciest pepper out there, and regardless of whether or not this is true, Habanero shamans carry the same chip on their shoulder, trying to be the baddest, meanest, most powerful magicians on the street. Habanero shamans are common in rural areas of Aztlan and the southwestern CAS. |
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Aug 5 2004, 11:25 PM
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#21
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 749 Joined: 22-June 02 From: Parts Without Member No.: 2,897 |
Forget blood mages. My next evil Azzie NPC is going to be a habanero initiate.
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Aug 6 2004, 06:58 AM
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#22
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,066 Joined: 5-February 03 Member No.: 4,017 |
Blood magic is a metamagic, not an entire tradition. A toxic habañero blood shaman is technically valid (although some would consider habañero to be toxic anyway).
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Aug 6 2004, 07:05 AM
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#23
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Immortal Elf Group: Members Posts: 11,410 Joined: 1-October 03 From: Pittsburgh Member No.: 5,670 |
bah. they just don't have the stomach for what habanero represents!
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Aug 6 2004, 07:12 AM
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#24
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,066 Joined: 5-February 03 Member No.: 4,017 |
And most people don't have the stomach for what Baron Samedi, Mosquito, and Sangre del Diablos represent either.
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Aug 6 2004, 07:14 AM
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#25
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 403 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Kill Em All Member No.: 2,018 |
And also gains aptitude: Switch blade and Aptitude: Taking over Holidays |
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