Full Version: [SoA2064] Euromagic
I just finished the section on European Magic. It mentions that there are mant different forms of Shamenism...Shamonism...nature magic types. Including Wu-Gen and afican Shamen. But I see no mention of North American shamen. I am wondering how they would be recived there. Would they bve looked down aboun by the magicians of the "old world"? Or recognized as an equaly ancient form of power? I'm thinking of sending my runner to Europe, but im not sure how there magician would deal witht the local magic community.
Any thought?
Well, that depends on the color of his nuyen...nyuck, nyuck.
It depends on the magician. You've got the traditional hermetic bias, especially with the big academic types, natch. Some of the druids and idol-followers are practicing members of religions heavily tied in with magic. Keep in mind that any time you approach someone on their home ground, you're effectively an interloper. Your character will earn respect for their power and how they conduct themself.
It depends on the magician. You've got the traditional hermetic bias, especially with the big academic types, natch. Some of the druids and idol-followers are practicing members of religions heavily tied in with magic. Keep in mind that any time you approach someone on their home ground, you're effectively an interloper. Your character will earn respect for their power and how they conduct themself.
How would an American mage be conceived in Europe? Well, first of all, he should really read up on every country he visits. What wouldn't make anyone so much as pull up an eyebrow in Prague will get you secure arrest in a space prison for life in Britain. Not to even mention the patchwork of weirdo states (*cringes at mere thought*) that once was Germany - if you're awakened, don't go to Westphalia, period. They DO crucify people there, or burn them at the stake. They do that a lot. You have been warned.
Overall, though, Europe has much to offer for maghes of every background.
Hermetics might be best off, for them, Europe offers a lot, be it training and libraries, or access to rare arcane materiel (Prague is the place to be). Though european hermetics (particularily Dr. Faustus Society snobs) could well shun an American for merely coming from a country that hasn't got a four-digit history and for not being up to date with the latest developments in their respective circle (and your hermetic better not be a woman either). The hermeitc in question might enjoy Prague's university - where else can you listen to a Great's lectures about metamagics? I mean, aside from the fact that a 50-feet-long, scaly, horned and winged professor (night black, IIRC) whose teeth are the length of your forearm and whose mere presence fills the lecture hall with a scent of sulfur and burnt meat surely is a pretty intimidating thing to have sitting before you, he's a nice guy, fairly accessible and open to questions (by dragon standards, which means he does expect you top think your every question tthrough fr a month before coming forward with it).
Though Europe's pagan shamanic mages aren't quite as wel organised as hermetics are, they're around too, and fairly common at that (though most are more on the lower social scale). North American shamen will find street witches and wiccans (and followers of the Old Faiths, such as roman, greek, or norse gods) more interesting copmpany. Their traditions aren't too different from themselves - actually, particularily norse 'shamen' tend to follow animal forms as well as idols. Steer clear of funny looking norse worshippers who hate people and use drones a lot, though.
Overall, though, Europe has much to offer for maghes of every background.
Hermetics might be best off, for them, Europe offers a lot, be it training and libraries, or access to rare arcane materiel (Prague is the place to be). Though european hermetics (particularily Dr. Faustus Society snobs) could well shun an American for merely coming from a country that hasn't got a four-digit history and for not being up to date with the latest developments in their respective circle (and your hermetic better not be a woman either). The hermeitc in question might enjoy Prague's university - where else can you listen to a Great's lectures about metamagics? I mean, aside from the fact that a 50-feet-long, scaly, horned and winged professor (night black, IIRC) whose teeth are the length of your forearm and whose mere presence fills the lecture hall with a scent of sulfur and burnt meat surely is a pretty intimidating thing to have sitting before you, he's a nice guy, fairly accessible and open to questions (by dragon standards, which means he does expect you top think your every question tthrough fr a month before coming forward with it).
Though Europe's pagan shamanic mages aren't quite as wel organised as hermetics are, they're around too, and fairly common at that (though most are more on the lower social scale). North American shamen will find street witches and wiccans (and followers of the Old Faiths, such as roman, greek, or norse gods) more interesting copmpany. Their traditions aren't too different from themselves - actually, particularily norse 'shamen' tend to follow animal forms as well as idols. Steer clear of funny looking norse worshippers who hate people and use drones a lot, though.
Thanks. All well informed answers. 1 more though. Do you think there are any communities of North American shaman in Europe? There seems to be a little of everything else there from around the world. It would seen odd there there would be no Bear shaman there. Unless there a reason for it. Something "MYSTERIOUS", with the wiggling of the hands.
Hermit, that's a lie! We don't cruxify mages here in Westfalia nor do we burn them! That's for MetaHumans and other Heretrics! After all, wood costs money!
Mages get hanged or drawn and quartered and then fed to the pigs! Well, some get stoned to death but only in regions with a lot of rubble. Maybe drowned in a swamp. But never cruxifies or burned!
Birdy
Mages get hanged or drawn and quartered and then fed to the pigs! Well, some get stoned to death but only in regions with a lot of rubble. Maybe drowned in a swamp. But never cruxifies or burned!
Birdy
Amen, Brother, AMEN! (After all, who would discuss with a fanatic)?
| QUOTE (cleggster) |
| Thanks. All well informed answers. 1 more though. Do you think there are any communities of North American shaman in Europe? There seems to be a little of everything else there from around the world. It would seen odd there there would be no Bear shaman there. Unless there a reason for it. Something "MYSTERIOUS", with the wiggling of the hands. |
Well. European nature magic is adifferent from US nature magic (naturaqlly). Not so different as Hindu, Wujen or Shinto magic would be, but different nonetheless.
You could find kindred spirits among street witches and neopagans. Many follow a different kind of totem called an idol, which usually takes the shape of some Old Deity (greek, roman, norse, finn, slavic, egyptian, you pick). But also, most of these idols have an animal asssociated with them/embodying them (Odin and Raven; Ares and Lion, Athena and Owl). Check out this page or google to get ideas.
It won't be precisely NA shamanism, but you should be able to find commmon ground with such groups. Then, there're always druids, who worship animal spirits as well as deities (and some follow a hermetic path). But beware. Druids are a dangerous and elitist bunch.
Or drop by Schwartzkopf. Maybe he can help you. He's a Great after all, for crying out loud.
Native American shamans might also be welcomed by some neo-pananistic and similar circles for having been oppressed by "the Man" in the past...
At least in Germany, there's a lot romanticism and over-idealization of the Native American life style (whatever that is supposed to be). The heritage of Karl May, and all that...
At least in Germany, there's a lot romanticism and over-idealization of the Native American life style (whatever that is supposed to be). The heritage of Karl May, and all that...
Oh good GOD, no Winnetou street shamen! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
*screams in terror and runs away*
*screams in terror and runs away*
| QUOTE (hermit) |
| Oh good GOD, no Winnetou street shamen! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! *screams in terror and runs away* |
Ah come on, the french accent is optional!
Besides, don't run away, help me set up the Maschingun!
Birdy
If there ever will be a winnetou shaman we know at least how his familiar will look like.
Winnetou is known outside of Germany? o_O
Hopefully not.
| QUOTE (Oracle) |
| Winnetou is known outside of Germany? o_O |
The original (Karl May) version most likely is, IIRC was the stuff translated.
The movie versions (Besides FrenchyToo there's a DEFA[GDR]) version. So we can assume France, former Yugoslavia(where they filmed the stuff) and parts of the former eastern block. At least the eastern version has a different accent.
Birdy
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