Orcish Shamanism Q&a

[KarmaDelta 969]

Through RP, can a shaman hold more spirits than the normal one from what I have seen? Or does it depend on the strength of the one he holds?

[hellfiazz 879]

@karma

I assume you're talking about Elementalists, as they're the only ones that make specific pacts. Basically an Elementalist has to make a pact with a lesser of each type of elemental spirit that a shaman can use in order to manipulate that element. An Elementalist can then go on to make a deeper pact with one specific type of lesser elemental they made a pact with, which allows them greater control over that element, however lesser control over the opposite elements, as the opposite spirit would be angry that you chose a rival spirit over them. The opposing pairs are

Fire Water

Earth Air

Metal Electricity

Meaning that if you make a deeper pact with fire, you're stronger with fire but weaker with water, and vice versa.

[KarmaDelta 969]

Yeah, that's who I was thinking of. Also as a refresher since I can't find it, what are the other aspects of shamanism?

[hellfiazz 879]

Witch Doctors, who perform Alchemy and Curses. Far seers, who perform Blessings and the ability to receive visions of events from across time and space. Lutaumans, who communicate with Ancestral Spirits, asking for guidance and making blessings that are based upon the specific abilities of the ancestral spirit in life (I.e. Rax was a great warrior, using his blessing would make one a better warrior)

[Ilikefooddude 430]

Thank you everyone for you great questions! Hopefully we've answered everything in a way that you can understand, and hopefully the community will have more questions to come later on! Everything previously asked has been added to the original post, so yet again if you have a question, check there to see if it's already been answered.

[Faunherer 44]

Is it possible for a non-Orc to become a Shaman?  I ask because I recall an RP situation where there was a Dwarf Shaman (It was more along the lines of an Orc's soul-trapped-in-a-Dwarf's-body kinda thing though.)

[Ilikefooddude 430]

Is it possible for a non-Orc to become a Shaman?  I ask because I recall an RP situation where there was a Dwarf Shaman (It was more along the lines of an Orc's soul-trapped-in-a-Dwarf's-body kinda thing though.)

Yes, it in in fact possible for a non-Orc to become a Shaman. There's a few reasons why this rarely occurs, however, most of them obvious, but others more complicated. Firstly, the magic is monitored by Orcs, and generally the teachers are Orcs, meaning that one must have a strong connection to the race to be trusted enough to be taught. Secondly, the spirits are very picky with who they choose to contact. The student must be especially 'honorable' and have favorable attributes, most of which are discovered by various trials which the student performs which involve the spirits. Though they may be completed by anybody, technically, the spirits' sense of honor is greatly linked to the Orcs', so one must fully understand Orcish culture before knowing how to complete the trials right. Finally, in an OOC perspective, the head shamans are very protective of the magic- mostly because of its complexity and highly powergameable nature. Since it's a locked magic they'll be very careful of who they allow to learn it, and that involves many discussions IC'ly and OOC'ly to decide whether the student wants to benefit the spirits and the Orcish race by learning the magic, or themselves. 

All in all, it's possible, yet difficult, for anyone to become a shaman should their motives be right and their relationships with the Orcs tight enough.

[gombieminecraft 17]

Are shamans seen as only spell casters?

Or could you be a warrior type like shaman. That use sthe elements when he fights with his axe in battle?

[Ilikefooddude 430]

 

Are shamans seen as only spell casters?

Or could you be a warrior type like shaman. That uses the elements when he fights with his axe in battle?

 

Shamans are seen as a diverse variety of things, among the Orcs and especially among the other races. Because of their scarcity, they're often shrouded in mystery and their true purposes would seem to be hidden. In practicality, however, they're much more than spellcasters, even if not everyone notices them as such. They are the guides and the most trusted elders of the Orcs, but also the most trusted keepers of Orcish culture and ways, and the strongest fighters to protect such in their various ways. Although each individual has a different way of doing these duties, they all meet the same end, and that's what they're valued for over all else. 

[Swgrclan 2682]

I saw in another Shamanism-related thread that a Daemon had brought about the existence of the spirit realm and made the apirits themselves possible. I presume, however, with all the influence they have that the greater spirits have surpassed their maker in power. Is this true?

Also, how does dark shamanism function? Last I read it depends on generally any dark magic to ensnare a spirit in order to abuse it's abilities. Is this also correct?

[DrakeHaze. 2524]

I saw in another Shamanism-related thread that a Daemon had brought about the existence of the spirit realm and made the apirits themselves possible. I presume, however, with all the influence they have that the greater spirits have surpassed their maker in power. Is this true?

Also, how does dark shamanism function? Last I read it depends on generally any dark magic to ensnare a spirit in order to abuse it's abilities. Is this also correct?

Dark Shamanism does no require any dark magic, a spirit will not even be in contact with anyone using another form of magic. Dark Shamanism can only function when a powerful shaman learns the true name of the spirit, thus forcing it to do the shamans bidding.

Becoming a dark shaman is harder than becoming a regular shaman.

[hellfiazz 879]

The combined power of the Spirits does indeed exceed the power of Apohet, as the Daemon invested a great deal of his own power into the Spirits' and their Realm's creation. Also, the Spirits gain power from the abundance of their aspect, over time they have grown more powerful. Additionally the many many ancestral spirits that have entered have greatly increased the overall power of the Spirit Realm. I'd say that if the Spirit Realm was united, which is basically impossible, they'd be equal to or even greater than the majority of Aengudaemons, potentially rivalling the Arch-Aengul Aeriel and Arch-Daemon Iblees.

[gombieminecraft 17]

What could you do incharacter to show your interest in shamanism and that you want to learn the ways of the elements etcetra?

[Tom_Whiteman 949]

What could you do incharacter to show your interest in shamanism and that you want to learn the ways of the elements etcetra?

 

There's many ways to do this. All in one, you have to show great honor and always give thanks to the spirits. Most Orcs aren't shamans because they sometimes don't take pride in their ancestors and spiritual parents. It's like the difference between a catholic. One who goes to church and always take Jesus' words to heart, compared to a catholic who doesn't go to church, and is far from his christ-like self (which there's nothing wrong with). If you catch my drift?

[hellfiazz 879]

Basically as Kraal says. Following the Spirits' definition of honour, regularly acknowledging them in praise, having a decent understanding of the Spirits themselves (without having too much so as to avoid meta-gaming, basically as far as you should go with knowledge is knowing the aspects a spirit controls).

 

Also it's always best to wait for a shaman to approach you than the other way round. It demonstrates that you're OOCly patient and don't just want the power, and ICly it makes more sense.