Arcane Background (Shamanism)

Edge: Arcane Background (Shamanism) Powers from other sources (and possible
Requirements: Wild Card, Novice, Spirit d8+ trappings):
Arcane Skill: Shamanism (Spirit)  Aim (Deadlands)
Starting Powers: 4  Analyze Foe (SWFC)
 Bless/Curse (SWFC)
Shamans draw their power from a mystical  Commune (Deadlands)
connection and dedication to the natural world  Concentration (SWFC)
and communing with spirits. They usually serve  Divination (SWFC)
as tribal wise-men and healers.  Jet (SWFC)
 Legerdemain (SWFC)
Backlash: When a shaman rolls a 1 on his  Wilderness Walk (Deadlands)
Spellcasting die (regardless of his Wild Die), he  Windstorm (Deadlands)
is automatically Shaken. This can cause a
wound.

Shaman Staff: Shamans must construct and

carry a totem staff representing their
connection to the nature spirits. Without it, a
shaman suffers a –2 to Shamanism rolls. If lost
or destroyed, a new one can be made by
enacting a special ritual and requires 1d6 hours,
but this spiritual investiture is very draining. The
shaman suffers a level of Fatigue when done,
requiring 24 hours to recover.

Rituals: The rituals involved in their spellcasting

preclude them from performing any other
actions when they casting spells, and their pace
is halved.

Discipline and Vows: Nature spirits can be

ambivalent and capricious. Shamans, in striving
to respect and please them, live by strict rules
and make vows to these spirits to ensure their
continued assistance. Shamans who gains the
spirits’ disapproval through word or deed, are
temporarily or permanently forsaken. Minor
transgressions cause the character to suffer a –
2 to his Shamanism rolls for one week. Major
ones rob him of all arcane powers for the week.
An especially grave transgression may cause the
character to be forsaken indefinitely. In the
latter case, a penitent shaman must be
sincerely apologetic for his misdeeds, and then
complete some great quest, pilgrimage, or
other task of atonement to regain his lost
powers.