Ooc: Shamanism In Non-Orcs.

[marimbamonk 1501]

((Hello, orcish community. I have a multiple questions for you.

If an orc learns the way of Shamanism from another orc, and the orc that learned goes rogue, could the rogue shaman teach a non-orc the ways of the shaman?

I understand that certain people aren't spiritually inclined, or the spirits won't speak to them. But, technically, wouldn't all races have ancestor spirits and element spirits? Even though these might be different for each race, couldn't a rogue shaman teach a dwarf how to (possibly) contact his ancestors/elemental spirit, if he/she is spiritually inclined?

Thank you.))

[mr.gerp 21]

I'm not really an orc anymore, but I know there is a couple non-orc shamans, notably Lex and hes a dwarf.

[Lexperiments 18]

If they're convinced enough and put enough effort in, yes.

Note that this is coming from the only non-orc shaman.

[Salamandra 1136]

I'd think that if an orc shaman went rogue, he/she'd be hunted down by the orcs and given the proper punishment [which we all admit would be klomping of some sort :P ]

I'd suggest going to...whatever the new orc capital is called [i miss Krugmar] and showing your dedication to become a Shaman.

[Sultan 3953]

(If a orc shaman goes rouge the spirits and ancestral do not speak to you, you are outcast the same way from them as you are outcast from the orcs.)

(And none orcs can learn shamanism, but only by a shaman)

[marimbamonk 1501]

Wouldn't there be ancestral spirits/elements for each race, though? I understand that if you become rogue, the orc spirits will refrain from speaking to you. However, could a shaman (if he was determined enough and he was spiritually inclined) discover and speak to human ancestors or elements? Eleven ancestors or elements?

Or are you saying that only orcs have elemental spirits?

[Lexperiments 18]

Orcs don't have elemental spirits. No race has elemental spirits; the elemental spirits are just elemental spirits. They have no race.

Also, the other races have ancestors, yes; but they know near-nothing about shamanism, so they cannot help shamans besides giving advice.

[Blawharag 277]

Shamanism is a magic focused on communicating with the spirits. Technically you would still be able to do this very basic thing, but how the spirits (and world) reacts to your decision would vary.

Orc Society and Shaman Society:

Both are elitist societies that feel the other races do not show proper respect for their ancestors (though dwarves may be an exception here, most Orcs are ignorant to Dwarvish Culture). Lex is an exception here not he is a dwarf, but for an entirely different reason. Nonetheless, he is a member of the War Uzg and respected as such. Orcs and Shaman take Shamanistic practices as a way to revere the ancestors and spirits. If a Shaman were to go rogue, it would be seen as a deliberate breech of that respect and a threat to the 'proper' way of life. As a result, the societies would begin hunting that rogue until he has been destroyed. A task which would be made easier by...

Orcish Ancestors:

Orcish ancestors are dead Orcs. And as a result, are really just an extension of Orcish Society. Thus, they would share the hatred for the Rogue and would actively attempt to interfere with his work while aiding the Orcs/Shaman in hunting the rogue. They would do everything in their power to debilitate, harass, and interrupt the rogue's rituals and spells, while guiding his pursuers to him.

Ancestors of other races:

Each is a faction of their own. As a result, each would treat the rogue accordingly. This breaks down even to the individual level. One Elvish ancestor may be completely indifferent to the Shaman, in fact most likely would. However, certain ancestors who have been dead for extreme lengths of time and have had more time to become one with the ancestral plane may share the Ancestral Orc's disgust for the rogue shaman's show of disregard for the ancestors. Other elves who had recently died and shared an extreme disgust for Orcs in life may still hold that disgust in death, liking the rogue more for his choice. Here is how this works:

The longer an individual is dead, the more they leave their ties in life behind and become a part of the ancestral plane. Doing something that breaks the respect for the ancestors will reverberate through the plane as a whole, and the more in tune a spirit is with the plane, the more they will be affected by that choice. Ancestors in general are elitist and feel they deserve respect in the same way an elderly man might demand respect from a youngster. Orc ancestors in general are subjected to regular and extreme respect by the Orcish race, and are sort of pampered in this regard. Going rogue in turn would anger them, many of whom have been dead for long centuries and are very in tune with the ancestral plane. Their anger will reflect on other highly in tune ancestors, even those from other races.

Elemental Spirits:

Elemental Spirits really couldn't give a ****. They are perhaps the least caring for the deeds of physical creatures that inhabit the world. For them, most deeds are insignificant and their effects will fade with time. Short of a direct affront to any given elemental, there is no reason for them to care. In theory, the collective Shaman could stir the wrath of the elementals against the rogue, but the elemental spirits would not inherently oppose the rogue's decision. They would have to be provoked to anger.

Immortal Spirits:

These are split into two groups, and each groups reaction would vary depending on the group. Emotional spirits like Wrath, Joy, Despair, would each be reacting on an physical person to person basis. Wrath may side Orcs, clinging to their loathing of the rogue and finding it easy to spread and grow with them. If the rogue is particularly afraid of his pursuers (and by rights should be) Fear may cling to him. Or perhaps he left with a purpose in mind, a goal he is willing to risk the ire of the Shaman and Orcs to accomplish. Determination would find that appealing and grow in him. The Cultural Spirits, such as the Spirit of War, or of the Hunt, are more sentient and thinking beings than the emotional spirits. Each one is a being who has taken up an aspect, like War. These beings each have their own thoughts, values and opinions. As such, each would have their own, well reasoned, opinion about the rogue. No different than a third party bystander might develop an opinion.

So there you have it. It isn't really black and white, but overall there would be serious aversion to the decision, aversion that would be extremely difficult to overcome. Aversion in the form of an all out crusade that would focus on destroying you and any Shamanistic teachings you try to spread. That isn't the Shaman hierarchy is totally opposed to sharing its teachings to members of other races. Lex has brought the topic up more than once. However, it would be taken on a case by case basis. Each person would have to prove themselves and, likely, end up joining the War Uzg. There is a mistrust towards outsiders that must be overcome before the Shaman order as a whole would deem it acceptable to teach the individual.